Injuries Of The Knee And Patella Flashcards
What is the anatomy of the knee?
(6)
Femur
Tibia and fibula
Patella
Cartilage that covers the articular surface of each bone
Ligaments that hold the bone together (elastic bands of tissue)
Tendons that attach a muscle to the bone (tough cords)
What are common knee injuries?
(5)
Fractures
Dislocation
Ligament and tendon injuries- tear, sprain
Joint problems- cartilage/meniscus damage, arthritis
Bone diseases
How do we get knee fractures?
Direct blow- RTC, fall, impact
Which parts of the knee need to be on an x-ray after a knee fracture?
(3)
Distal femur
Proximal tibia/fibula
Patella
What x-ray projections should be done for a knee fracture?
(2)
AP
HBL (for demonstration of lipohaemarthrosis)
What is the largest sesamoid bone in the body?
The patella
Label the AP knee:
What are the features of the patella?
(3)
It’s the largest sesamoid bone in the body
It protects the anterior of the knee
It acts as an insertion for the quadricep tendon and a fulcrum for extension
What can patella fractures look like?
What projections would we do for a patella fracture?
(2)
AP
Lateral
Which projection WON’T we do for a patella fracture?
Skyline
How do we x-ray for patella fractures?
(4)
AP and lateral
Don’t ask the patient to move/flex their knee
Consider a HBL
Depending on the extent of injury, they can be surgically fixed
How do we tend to get distal femur fractures?
(2)
Blunt trauma- usually in young people, e.g. RTC
Low energy causing a fall- usually in the elderly
What are the features of the tibial plateau?
(3)
It’s concave
There’s 2- medial plateau and lateral plateau
It’s central (non-articular)
How does a tibial plateau fracture look like?
How do knee fractures get fixed?
(2)
Femoral nail
Tibial plate and screws
What does a fibula head fracture look like?
(2)
Bony ring type structure
Normally breaks in more than 1 place
How should we perform an x-ray for a fibula head fracture?
(3)
Perform an x-ray of the rest of the tibia/fibula if painful
Ankle up images
AP and lateral
Which projections should we use for a dislocated knee joint?
(2)
AP
HBL
What does a dislocated knee joint look like?
If the x-ray request forms says ? Bony involvement, should we x-ray?
Yes
What projections should we use when x-raying for ligament and tendon injuries?
(2)
AP
Turned lateral
What joint pathologies can we get?
(2)
Cartilage damage
Meniscus damage
What projections should we do when x-raying for joint pathologies?
(3)
AP
Lateral
HBL if trauma is recent
What is osteoarthritis?
When the protective cartilage breaks down
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
(2)
Bony growths/spurs can appear
Pain and swelling
How does osteoarthritis look like?
What projections should we use when looking at osteoarthritis?
(2)
AP weight bearing
Lateral turned
What projections should we use on a knee with knee replacements/plates?
(2)
AP- centred lower than normal to get the full prosthesis
Lateral- also centred lower than normal
