11. Knee Problems Flashcards
What are the common Knee Problems?
- Fracture
- Acute on Chronic Degenerative Joint Disease
- Meniscal Injury
- Ligament Injury
- Tendon Injury
What should special focus be placed on, in the History of a Knee Problem?
- Environment (Sport / Recreation vs Workplace)
- Activity (Sport tackle vs jumping)
- Energy (How fast and How heavy)
- Systemic Symptoms
- Chronology (Quick vs Slow, Previous Injury)
- Hear / Feel a Pop/Crack
- Swelling (Early (Haemarthrosis) vs Late)
What causes a Meniscal Injury?
Twisting Movement on a Loaded, Fixed Knee
What are the Features of a Meniscal Injury?
- Painful “Squelch”
- Slow Swelling
- Painful to Weight Bear
- “Locked” Knee
What causes an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear?
- Forward Momentum
2. Leg Fixed +/- Rotated
What are the Features of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear?
- “Pop”
- Quick Swelling
- Often able to Weight Bear
What are the Features of a Collateral Tear?
- Lateralised Pain
- Feel of “Crack” - Sharp Pain
- No / Minimal Effusion
- Bruising to one side
What are the Principles of a Knee Musculoskeletal Examination?
- Look
- Feel
- Move
What are you Looking for in a Knee Musculoskeletal Examination?
- Scars / Bruising / Swelling
2. Joint Line Irregularity
What are you Feeling for in a Knee Musculoskeletal Examination?
- Effusion
- Crepitus
- Heat
- Tenderness
- Tissue Lumps / Defects
What are you looking for in Movement during a Knee Musculoskeletal Examination?
- Passive and Active
- Straight Leg Raise
- Range of Movement
- Ligament Testing
- Dynamic Testing
What Rradiological Investigations can be done on the Knee?
- X-Ray
- Ultrasound
- MRI
What is seen on an X-Ray of a Knee Joint?
- Fracture
- Loose Bodies
- Ligament Avulsion
- Osteochondral Defect
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- Lipohaemarthrosis
What is seen on an Ultrasound of a Knee Joint?
- Tendon Rupture
- Some Meniscal Tears
- Swelling
- Cysts
What is an MRI of a Knee Joint used for?
Clinical Confirmation
Note - This is not good for Degenerative Joint Disease or Mobile Pathology