# Catastrophic case of the total knee arthroplasty dislocation: A case report

## TL;DR

A rare case of total knee arthroplasty dislocation led to a popliteal artery injury and death, highlighting the need for vascular evaluation after such events.

## Contribution

Highlights the importance of CT angiography for vascular evaluation after TKA dislocation to prevent severe outcomes.

## Key findings

- Knee dislocation after total knee arthroplasty can cause popliteal artery injury.
- Vascular compromise after TKA dislocation may lead to death or amputation if untreated.
- CT angiography is recommended to evaluate vascular injuries following TKA dislocation.

## Abstract

Arterial injury is extremely rare after total knee arthroplasty.

We describe a 68-year-old woman with dislocation of total knee arthroplasty after falling from a height. She had a popliteal artery injury and a vascular bypass was performed in delay. The patient died of a second myocardial infarction 3.5 months after her first introduction to our center.

Due to the prominent risk of vascular injuries after dislocation in TKA patients, we recommend performing vascular evaluations using CT angiography for all patients.

Any untreated vascular compromise in the setting of TKA dislocation may lead to devastating outcomes such as amputation and death.

•Knee dislocation is extremely rare after total knee arthroplasty.•Highly recommended to perform vascular evaluation by CT angiography after dislocation in TKA patients.•Any untreated vascular compromise in the setting of TKA dislocation may lead to devastating outcomes such as amputation and death.

Knee dislocation is extremely rare after total knee arthroplasty.

Highly recommended to perform vascular evaluation by CT angiography after dislocation in TKA patients.

Any untreated vascular compromise in the setting of TKA dislocation may lead to devastating outcomes such as amputation and death.