Epidemiological analysis of hospitalizations for knee dislocations vs. Sprains: A descriptive study of temporal trends (2021-2024) in Chile
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52611/confluencia.2026.1772Keywords:
Knee dislocation, Length of stay, Epidemiology, Sprains and strainsAbstract
Introduction: Knee dislocations and ligament sprains constitute a spectrum of traumatic injuries that vary in severity, mechanism of injury and hospital burden. Although most are managed on an outpatient basis, hospital discharge data enables us to characterize the use of resources and the epidemiological patterns of these injuries. Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics and temporal trends of hospital discharges for knee dislocations and ligament sprains in Chile between 2021 and 2024. Methods: An observational, descriptive and retrospective study based on aggregated hospital discharge records (2021–2024). Diagnoses were categorized as dislocations and sprains. Frequencies, proportions and weighted averages of hospital stay were calculated. Comparisons by sex were carried out using the Chi-squared test and Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% CI. Result: A total of 32.636 hospital discharges related to knee injuries were identified; 1.102 (3,4%) corresponded to dislocations and 11.062 (33,9%) to sprains. Hospital discharges for sprains increased from 1.727 to 3.339, whereas those for dislocations increased from 253 to 289. The proportion of dislocations was higher among women (p < 0,001; OR = 2,78; 95% CI: 2,45-3,15). The mean length of hospital stay was longer for dislocations (4,64 days) than for sprains (1,31 days). Discussion: Sprains were more frequent; however, dislocations were associated with a greater healthcare burden, reflected by longer hospital stays. Conclusion: Between 2021 and 2024, hospital discharges for knee sprains were more frequent than those for knee dislocations. However, dislocations were associated with a longer length of hospital stay.
References
1. Maslaris A, Brinkmann O, Bungartz M, Krettek C, Jagodzinski M, Liodakis E. Management of knee dislocation prior to ligament reconstruction: What is the current evidence? Update of a universal treatment algorithm. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol [Internet]. 2018 [citado el 14 de julio 2026];28(6):1001-15. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-018-2148-4
2. Bressy G, Lustig S, Neyret P, Servien E. Inestabilidades de la rodilla. EMC - Aparato Locomotor [Internet]. 2016 [citado el 14 de julio 2026];49(1):1-17. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/s1286-935x(15)76112-5
3. Busto Villarreal JM, Martínez Vega KR. Rehabilitación de lesiones de ligamentos de rodilla. ICSA [Internet]. 2022 [citado el 14 de julio 2026];10(20):293-8. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.29057/icsa.v10i20.7263
4. Iribar Diéguez IK, Lizundia Izaguirre A, Ramos García AM. Luxación femorotibial de rodilla: manejo, posibles complicaciones y secuelas. Rev Clín Med Fam [Internet]. 2023 [citado el 14 de julio 2026];16(2):128-31. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.55783/rcmf.160213
5. Woodmass JM, Romatowski NPJ, Esposito JG, Mohtadi NGH, Longino PD. A systematic review of peroneal nerve palsy and recovery following traumatic knee dislocation. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc [Internet]. 2015 [citado el 14 de julio 2026];23(10):2992-3002. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3676-7
6. Gómez Cáceres A, Montes Molinero D, Carnero Martín de Soto P, Villanueva Pareja F, Espejo Reina A. Luxación de rodilla ante traumatismo de bajo impacto. A propósito de un caso. Rev Esp Artrosc Cir Articul [Internet]. 2017 [citado el 14 de julio 2026];24(2):171-4. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.24129/j.reaca.24259.fs1705018
7. Cuentas AD, Gutiérrez-Gaspar CC, Vanegas-Carrillo DJ, Téllez-Gamarra DA. Luxación de rodilla asociada a trauma de ultra baja energía y obesidad: reporte de caso. Rev Med UIS [Internet]. 2024 [citado el 14 de julio 2026];37(2):129-36. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.18273/revmed.v37n2-2024011
8. Bandeira JP, Del Castillo J, Francescoli L. Lesiones ligamentarias de rodilla asociadas a fracturas de diáfisis femoral: Epidemiología y diagnóstico. Revisión narrativa de la bibliografía. An Facultad Med (Univ Repub Urug) [Internet]. 2022 [citado el 14 de julio 2026];9(2):e301. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.25184/anfamed2022v9n2a2
9. Carredano GX, Valderrama RJ, Montenegro BD, Lizama CP, Bernal BN, Valderrama S, et al. Luxación expuesta de rodilla: ¿Qué hemos aprendido en los últimos 20 años? Rev Chil Ortop Traumatol [Internet]. 2018 [citado el 14 de julio 2026];59(2):47-54. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1667372.
10. Garralda del Villar M, Edo Olucha A, Muñoa Oteiza L, Sánchez Guardamino Sáenz D, García Mata S, Duart Clemente J. Evolución epidemiológica de la artroscopia de rodilla en población pediátrica: un estudio unicéntrico en España (1998–2023). Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol [Internet]. 2026 [citado el 14 de julio 2026]. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recot.2026.04.002
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Revista Confluencia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
