Examination Of The Knee Flashcards
What are the bones of the knee ?
Patella = knee cap attach on the patellofemoral groove
Femur with femoral condyles resting on the top of the tibia
Tibia with tibial plateau where the condyles rest
Fibula attach with a small joint next to the tibia
What are the ligaments of the knee ?
Medial and lateral collateral ligaments = main ligament of the knee, prevent it from moving from side to side.
Anterior and posterior cruciale ligaments : control front/back motion of the knee
Lateral and medial meniscus = special ligaments : allow the force from the weight of the body on a larger surface to prevent the degeneration of cartilage
What are the tendons of the knee ?
Quadriceps tendon : connect quadriceps and patella. It blends into patellar tendon.
Patellar tendon : connect patella and tibia
Hamstring tendon : to the inside of the knee form the ischial tuberosity
What are the nerves of the knee ?
Sciatic nerve split above the knee forming the tibial nerve (back of knee) and the common peroneal nerve (outside of the knee towards feet)
What is the Q-angle ?
A small angle formed by the line from the patella to ASIS and the line from the patella to the tibial tubercule.
What are the different position of the knee ?
Valgus alignement : knock knee toward the midline
Varus alignement : bow legs
Ventral side of the knee, what do you inspect ?
Level of the femoral condyles
Contour of the quadriceps and adductors
Position of the knee : extended, flexed, half flexed (bonnette)
Alignment : varus, valgus (normally slight varus)
Lateral side of the knee; what do you inspect ?
Normally completely extended leg or slight hyperextension.
One straight line between the trochanter major, head of fibula and lateral malleolus.
Assess swelling, contour of tensor fascia and iliotibial tract muscles.
Dorsal side of the knee, what do you inspect ?
Level of the femoral condyles
Popliteal fossa
Swelling or discoloration
Contour of hamstring and triceps surae muscles
Gait, what do you inspect ?
Symmetry
Stride lenght
Loading on the right and left side
Flexion contracture of the knees
Step of active movement of the knee
Patient supine.
Bend the knee heel against buttock then extend the knee.
Inspect the course of movement and range. Occurrence of pain or crepitus
Step of passive examination of the knee
Patient supine.
Slide the knee cranially with their heel on the table by grasping the ankle.
Grasp the ankle, straighten the knee.
Flex knee and hip to 90°, stabilise knee and hold calcaneus. Rotate lower leg externally and internally.
Inspect course of movement and range, occurrence of pain or crepitus. Note the end feel and the range of motion.
Step of isometric test of knee
Can be done supine or seated.
Hold the calcaneus and ask patient to pull heel toward their buttock. (Supine : knee bend 90° heel on examination table)
Hand on the shin and ask patient to extend their knee. (Supine : knee flexed 30-60°, forearm under it with hand over the other knee)
Muscle flexors of the knee
Gracilis, sartorius, biceps femoris, semitendinous, semimembranosus, gastrocnemius
Muscle extensor of the knee
Quadriceps femoris
Palpation of the patellar ligament ?
Using fingertips, palpate from the tibial tuberosity to the inferior pole of the patella.
Palpation of the collateral ligaments of the knee ?
Lateral : flex the knee 30°, heel on table. Rotate the hip externally and palpate.
Medial : same. Rotate internally the hip and palpate
Can you palpate the bursae of the knee ?
What are the bursae of the knee ?
Only if it is present.
Suprapatellar, prepatellar and infrapatellar.
Palpation the patella ?
Knee extended, palpate medial and lateral edge of patella.
Posterior edge is palpable by moving the patella medially/laterally then palpate around the medial/lateral edge to the underside.
Palpation of tibial tuberosity ?
One finger palpates medial joint space to the front of the knee. Elevation felt below the tibial plateau.