Is it possible to return to top level soccer after a complete knee dislocation? A case report

Aim. There are not studies on prevalence of complete knee dislocation in elite athletes. The aim of this case report is to demonstrate that is possible to return to top level sport activity after complete knee dislocation. Methods. A professional soccer player reported a slow speed dislocation of his right knee. One week after trauma he underwent to ACL reconstruction with autologous semitendinous and gracilis tendons, PCL reconstruction with autologous patellar tendon, suture and reinsertion of other structures. He began rehabilitation protocol six days after surgery. The rehabilitation protocol has provided a first anti-inflammatory stage; a second phase of recovery of the function, ADL; a third phase of recovery of strength and cardiovascular reconditioning; a fourth phase for the preintegration with the team and a final phase for the return to the field. In the early stages the knee was inclined to swell and anterior compartment involvement slowed down the progression toward healing. Until the sixth-eighth month the patient reported a "low-joint-velocity" recovery. Results. All functional tests 12 months after surgery were normal. Conclusion. This case show that the return to competition after a complete knee dislocation is possible.