Common Problems of the Knee Flashcards
What is a locking knee?
Leg unable to bend or straighten, stopped by mechanical block = meniscal tear or loose body.
Pseudo locking = locking with pain and muscle spasm
Discuss fractures of the distal femur and proximal tibia and what can be seen on x-ray
Fractures leaks fat into the synovial fluid = fat-fluid level = can be seen on x-ray.
Insufficiency fracture = osteoporosis, metabolic bone diseas
How can a patellar fracture take place?
Relatively common, can be due to impact, osteoporosis, or sudden contraction of quadriceps, needs to be reduced
What causes a patella dislocation?
Malformed patella ligament
groove is not deep enough = patella displaced
most occur laterally by high force sudden twisting
Outline spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee
Blood supply to the area has become damaged = less nutrients supplied = softening of the bone, more fluid - danger that weight on bone will cause a break = crutches
Discuss meniscal injuries
Can tear and become stuck in the joint = locking of the leg, or can cause a cyst. More common for the medial meniscus to tear
Discuss collateral ligament injuries
Tends to be young person sport injury tears, MCL tends to heal very well
Outline a common anterior cruciate ligament injury
Ruptured = ends pulls apart, does not heal very well, main determinate of recovery = getting a good blood supply
Posterior cruciate ligament injuries
Very uncommon, doesn’t need to be reconstructed, can use brace to support healing
Describe pre-patellar bursitis (housemaids knee)
Pre-patellar bursitis (OUTSIDE) inflammation of the fluid-filled cavity covering the kneecap (bursitis), often due to excessive kneeling
Outline superficial infra-patellar bursitis (clergyman’s knee)
Infrapatellar bursitis (INSIDE) is the inflammation of the infrapatellar bursa located just below the kneecap
