A floating knee is a severe type of injury that occurs when a person sustains fractures in both the femur and the tibia, which are the two largest bones in the leg. The term "floating" refers to the fact that the knee joint is no longer connected to either the femur or the tibia, and is therefore "floating" in between the two broken bones.
This type of injury is often the result of a high-energy trauma, such as a car accident or a fall from a height. The force of the impact can cause the bones to break in multiple places, which can result in significant damage to the knee joint, as well as to the surrounding soft tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.
The treatment of a floating knee typically involves surgery to repair the fractures and stabilize the knee joint. Depending on the severity of the injury, different surgical techniques may be used, such as the placement of metal plates and screws to hold the bones in place, or the use of an external fixator, which is a device that attaches to the outside of the leg to stabilize the broken bones.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises are also an important part of the recovery process, as they can help to restore strength, range of motion, and function to the affected leg. The prognosis for recovery from a floating knee depends on the severity of the injury, the patient's overall health, and the effectiveness of the chosen treatment plan.