Knee Flashcards
Femur
- Longest and strongest bone in body
- Distal portion forms medial and lateral condyles & epicondyles
- Features Linea Aspera
~ Posterior and serves as attachment
site
Tibia
- Proximal portion forms medial and
lateral Tibial Plateaus
Fibula
- Fibular head serves as attachment site
for numerous soft tissue structures
Patella and its purpose
- Classified as Sesamoid bone due its
shape - Improves mechanical function of quads
~ Acts as a pully - Protects anterior portion of knee
Bursae
- Act as padding and reduce friction
- Suprapatellar
- Prepatellar: On top of Patella
- Infrapatellar (2)
- Pretibial: On top of Tibia
- Popliteal
- Anserine: Medial
- Iliotibial: Lateral
Tibiofemoral Joint
- Articulation between condyles of femur
and tibial plateaus - Condyles are covered with articular
(hyaline) cartilage - Tibial plateaus are covered by medial
and lateral menisci
Menisci and purpose
- Made of fibrocartilage
- Act as shock absorbers, increase joint
congruency (bones fit better = stability),
and decrease friction - Gets most of its resources from Synovial
Fluid
~ Not supplied by blood very well; outer
1/3 has the best blood supply and
therefore better at healing
Tibiofemoral Joint Movements During Functional Loading/Pronation
- Sagittal: Flexion
- Frontal: Abduction
- Transverse: Internal Rotation
Tibiofemoral Joint Movements During Functional Unloading/Supination
- Sagittal: Extension
- Frontal: Adduction
- Transverse: External Rotation
What bone is relative to what bone at the Tibiofemoral Joint?
Tibia is relative to Femur
Patellofemoral Joint
- Articulation between the patella and the
medial and lateral condyles of femur - Both surfaces are covered by articular
cartilage
Patellofemoral Joint Movements
- Gliding along femoral condyles during functional loading and functional unloading of knee
- During extension the patella rests superior to femoral groove (out of joint)
- During flexion the patella enters the femoral groove (20-30 degrees)
When is the Patella most stable?
During flexion (loading): there’s no room for injury
Superior Tibiofibular Joint & Its Movements
- Articulation between tibia and head of fibula
- Movements:
~ Superior/Inferior Gliding
~ Anterior/Posterior Gliding
What Muscles Move the Knee?
- Vastus Lateralis
- Vastus Medialis
- Vastus Intermedius
- Rectus Femoris
- Sartorius
- Gracilis
- Semitendinosus
- Biceps Femoris
- Semimembrabosus
- Popliteus
Pes Anserine contains what Muscles?
- Common tendon formed by Sartoius, Gracilis, and Semitendinosus
- Insertion: Superior aspect of medial surface of Tibia near Tibial Tuberosity
Vastus Lateralis
- Origin: Lateral lip of Linea Aspera &
Intertrochanteric Line - Insertion: Lateral Border of Patella
- Nerve: Femoral
- Action: Knee Extension
Vastus Medialis
- Origin: Medial lip of Linea Aspera &
Intertrochanteric Line - Insertion: Medial Border of Patella
- Nerve: Femoral
- Action: Knee Extension
Vastus Intermedius
- Origin: Superior 2/3 of anterior and
lateral surfaces of femur - Insertion: Superior Border of Patella
- Nerve: Femoral
- Action: Knee Extension
Rectus Femoris
- Origin: Anterior Inferior Illiac Spine &
Superior to Acetabulum (Socket) - Insertion: Superior Border of Patella
- Nerve: Femoral
- Action: Knee Extension & Hip Flexion
Quadriceps Function: During functional loading at the Knee, the Quadriceps muscles…
Decelerate Flexion, Internal Rotation, & Abduction
Sartorius
- Origin: Anterior Superior Iliac Spine
- Insertion: Pes Anserine
- Nerve: Femoral
- Action: Knee Flexion; External Rotation &
Flexion of the Hip
Gracilis
- Origin: Inferior Ramus of Pubis & Ramus
of Ischium - Insertion: Pes Anserine
- Nerve: Obturator
- Action: Flexion & Internal Rotation of
Knee; Adduction of Hip
Semitendinosus
- Origin: Ischial Tuberosity
- Insertion: Pes Anserine
- Nerve: Tibial
- Action: Flexion & Internal Rotation of
Knee; Hip Extension
Semimembranosos
- Origin: Ischial Tuberosity
- Insertion: Medial Condyle of Tibia
- Nerve: Tibial
- Action: Flexion & Internal Rotation of
Knee; Hip Extension
Biceps Femoris
- Origin: Ischial Tuberosity (long) & Linea
Aspera (short) - Insertion: Head of Fibula
- Nerve: Tibial
- Action: Flexion & External Rotation of
Knee; Hip Extension
Biceps Femoris Function: During functional loading at the knee, the Biceps Femoris…
Decelerates Internal Rotation
Popliteus
- Origin: Lateral Condyle of Femur
- Insertion: Posterior, Proximal Tibia
- Nerve: Tibial
- Action: Internal Rotation of Knee
Tibialis Posterior Function: During functional loading at the knee, the Tibialis Posterior…
Decelerates Flexion
Soleus Function: During functional loading at the knee, the Soleus…
Decelerates Flexion
What should be noticed during Anterior Inspection?
- Knee Alignment
- Patella Position
- Quadriceps Girth and Contour
- Patellar Tendon
- Tibial Tuberosity
- Edema or Effusion?
Knee Alignment & What structures get more stress due to these alignments?
- Genu Valgum (“Knock Knee”)
~ Knees touch, ankles don’t
~ Lateral meniscus, MCL, and ACL get
more stress - Genu Varum (“Bowleg”)
~ Knees apart with ankles touching
~ Medial meniscus and LCL get more
stress
Patella Position
- Normal should be in the middle
- Grasshopper Eye: Tilt Outward
- Squinting Eye: Tilt Inward
- Patella Alta: High Position
- Patella Baja: Low Position
Edema vs. Effusion
- Edema
~ Swelling that’s all over and outside the
joint - Effusion
~ Swelling that’s localized and inside the
joint
Sweep/Brush/Stroke Test: Edema vs. Effusion Test
- Positive test indicated by observation of
fluid movement from lateral to medial
~ Indicates Effusion
Patellar Tap/Ballotable Patellar Test: Edema vs. Effusion Test
- Positive test indicated by behavior of
patella:
~ If patella sinks = Edema
~ If patella rebounds = Effusion
Fluctuation Test: Edema vs. Effusion Test
- Positive test indicated by fluid passing
from superior to inferior
~ Indicates Effusion
What should be noticed during lateral inspection?
- Knee Alignment
~ Genu Recurvatum (“Hyperextended
Knee”)
> Needs to be seen bilateral to be
normal
What should be noticed during posterior inspection?
- Knee Alignment
- Calf Girth and Contour
- Hamstring Girth and Contour
- Popliteal Fossa
ROM Testing
- AROM
~ Depends on muscle girth and body
size
~ Flexion: 135-145 degrees
> Pt. needs to be supine to take
Rectus Femorus out of the equation
~ Extension: 0 degrees
> Pt. needs to be supine to take
Rectus Femorus out of the equation
> Leg slightly elevated to allow knee
to fully push down - PROM
- RROM
Neurological Assessment
- Very important due to orientation of the nerves around the knee and the possibility of nerve injury along with other soft tissue injury
- Nerve injuries follow the MOI of ligaments
- Common Peroneal: Sensory & Motor
- Tibial: Sensory & Motor
- Saphenous: Sensory
Ligamentous and Capsular Testing: Tibiofemoral Joint
- Joint Capsule
~ Fibrous connective tissue capsule
which surrounds the circumference of
knee joint - Medial & Lateral Collateral Ligaments
Medial Collateral Ligament
- Provides medial stability & resists
valgus - Originates just below the Adductor
Tubercle, crosses the medial joint line - Inserts 7-10 cm below joint line
(Junction of Tibiofemoral Joint) - Strong and thick because it’s used all day, every day
Medial Collateral Ligament Test
- Valgus Stress Test
~ Positive test indicated by increased
laxity at the medial joint line
> Full Extension = MCL & Medial Joint
Capsule
> 25 degrees of Flexion = MCL
Lateral Collateral Ligament
- Provides lateral stability & prevents Varus
- Originates from lateral femoral epicondyle, crosses the lateral joint line
- Inserts on the Fibular head
- Small and wimpy because it’s not used all the time. The knees natural reaction is to go into Varus and not Valgus
Lateral Collateral Ligament Test
- Varus Stress Test
~ Positive test indicated by increased
laxity at the lateral joint line
~ Full Extension = LCL & Lateral Joint
Capsule
~ 25 degrees of Flexion = LCL
Medial Collateral Ligament Signs & Symptoms
- Pain medially
- Will hear/feel a pop
- A lot of effusion
- Instability
Lateral Collateral Ligament Signs & Symptoms
- Pain laterally
- Will hear/feel a pop
- Effusion or Edema or both
- Instability
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
- Origin: Anteromedial intercondylar
eminence of Tibia, runs superior
& lateral - Insertion: Medial wall of lateral femoral
condyle - Provides stability in all 3 planes:
~ Abduction
~ Anterior tibial translation
~ Internal Rotation - Anterior Bundle: Tightest at full Flexion
- Posterior Bundle: Tightest at full
Extension
ACL Tests
- Anterior Drawer Test (easier)
~ Positive test indicated by increased
anterior translation of Tibia relative to
Femur
~ Determines grade: 1-3
~ False negatives can occur due to
hamstrings muscle guarding
> hamstrings need to be relaxed
and no extension - Lachman’s Test (favored)
~ Positive test indicated by increased
anterior translation of Tibia
~ Hamstrings aren’t able to muscle
guard
Segond Fracture
- Piece of bone off of Tibia
- High correlation to ACL injury and same
MOI - Thought to be due to excess Internal
Rotation - Appears to be an avulsion fracture,
possibly associated with tension on
posterlateral capsule, or LCL
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
- Origin: Posterior aspect of Tibia, runs
superior and medial - Insertion: Lateral wall of medial femoral
condyle - Works with Popliteus to prevent
posterior translation and external
rotation of Tibia on Femur - Anterior Bundle: Tightest between
40-120 degrees - Posterior Bundle: Tightest beyond 120
degrees
PCL Tests
- Posterior Drawer Test
~ Positive test indicated by increased
posterior translation of Tibia
~ Will appear normal, once posterior
force is applied, will look abnormal - Godfrey’s Test
~ Positive test indicated by unilateral
posterior displacement of Tibial
Tuberosity
~ Knees flexed in air, gravity will make
Tibial Tuberosities appear unilateral
~ Quads need to be relaxed - Posterior Sag Test
~ Positive test indicated by unilateral
posterior displacement of Tibial
Tuberosity
~ Knees flexed with feet on table, gravity
will make Tibial Tuberosities appear
unilateral
The Anterior & Posterior Tibiofibular Ligaments support…
The Proximal Tibiofibular Joint: head of Fibula against Tibia
Proximal Tibiofibular Joint Ligament Tests
- Tibiofibular Translation Test
~ Positive test indicated by increased
movement of Fibula on Tibia~ Excess Anterior Translation =
Posterior Tibiofibular Ligament
~ Excess Posterior Translation =
Anterior Tibiofibular Ligament
Meniscus Tear and S&S
- Often paired with ligament injury
~ Any MOI that causes ligament tear - Impingement of meniscus between
Femoral Condyles and Tibial Plateau - Remember! Meniscus’ main job is
stability - S&S:
~ Not much swelling due to lack of
blood supply, unless severe
~ Pain
~ Clicking, locking, & popping
Meniscus Tear Tests
- McMurray’s Test (best for posterior)
~ Positive test indicated by popping,
clicking, or locking of knee
~ Positive with Internal Rotation =
Lateral Meniscus posteriorly
~ Positive with External Rotation =
Medial Meniscus posteriorly - Apley’s Compression Test (not that good)
~ Positive test indicated by pain during
compression and not during
distraction
> If pain with distraction indicates
other structure
Anterolateral Rotary Instability
- Describes the direction the Tibia
translates on Femur as a result of injury
~ Anterior & Lateral - Possible injury to ACL and any
combination of Anterolaterl/
Posterolateral Capsule, and or LCL
Why is instability worse than laxity?
- Instability requires surgery
- Laxity is rehabilitatable
Anterolateral Rotary Instability Tests
- Slocum 1 Drawer Test
~ Internal Rotation
~ Positive test indicated by increased
amount of anterior tibial translation
relative to straight drawer - Lateral Pivot Shift Test
~ Internal Rotation
~ Positive test indicated by anterolateral
subluxation of Tibia at around 20
degrees & reduction greater than 30
degrees - Slocum Anterolateral Rotary Instability
Test
~ Internal Rotation
~ Positive test indicated by
anterolateral subluxation of Tibia
~ Can be used for ACL and Capsule
Anteromedial Rotary Instability
- Possible injury to ACL and any
combination of Anteromedial/
Posteromedial capsule, and or MCL
Anteromedial Rotary Instability Test
- Slocum 2 Drawer Test
~ External Rotation
~ Positive test indicated by increased
amount of anterior Tibial translation
relative to straight drawer
What does excess laxity internally, externally, or the same internally and externally indicate?
- Excess laxity internally = LCL
- Excess laxity externally = MCL
- Excess laxity internally & externally = ACL
Posterolateral Rotary Instability
- Possible injury to PCL and Posterolateral
Capsule and or LCL
Posterolateral Rotary Instability Tests
- Hughston’s Posterolateral Drawer Sign Test
~ External Rotation
~ Positive test indicated by increased
posterior translation of Tibia relative
to straight drawer - External Rotation Recurvatum Test
~ External Rotation
~ Positive test indicated by
hyperextension of knee & external
rotation of Tibia
Posteromedial Rotary Instability
- Possible injury to PCL and Posteromedial
Capsule and MCL
Posteromedial Rotary Instability Test
- Hughston’s Posteromedial Drawer Sign Test
~ Internal Rotation
~ Positive test indicated by increased
posterior translation of Tibia relative to
straight drawer
Plica Syndrome and Cause
- Normal fold in joint capsule that’s
enlarged and becomes inflamed
~ Usually medial and superior to patella
~ Can also be superior, inferior, or
lateral - Can be due to trauma or anatomical
variation
Plica Syndrome Signs, Symptoms, and Management
- S&S:
~ Snapping and/or locking with knee
Flexion/Extension
> occurs due to patellar movements
~ Minimal swelling
~ Appears the same as Meniscus tear
> Pt. will say weird MOI for Meniscus
tear - Management:
~ RICE
~ NSAIDS
~ Surgical Excision
> Last resort; needs to be severe
> Causes scar tissue
Plica Syndrome Tests
- Mediopatellar Plica Test
~ Positive test indicated by pain with
medial movement of patella - Plica “Stutter” Test
~ Positive test indicated by jerking
motion of patella during knee
extension
> Jerking is caused by patella getting
stuck and will forcefully glide
Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease
- Apophysitis at Tibial Tubercle
~ Causes prominent bump at Tibial
Tubercle - Common in boys and girls between 8-15
years old
Sinding-Larsen Johansson’s Disease
- Apophysitis at Infrapatellar pole (patellar
tendon attachment site)
~ Causes prominent bump at patellar
tendon attachment site - Common in boys and girls between 8-15
years old
Osgood-Schlatter & Larsen-Johansson Diseases Cause, Signs, Symptoms, & Management
- Cause:
~ Excess stress or tension on bony
attachment
~ Age; Adolescents - S&S:
~ Pain just below attachment
~ Swelling over attachment - Management:
~ Decrease activity level
~ RICE
~ Patellar Tendon Strap
> Changes angle of tendon pull (bows
in and cheats)
> Not a fix, but helps
~ Time
Patellar Tendonitis (“Jumpers Knee”)
- Chronic inflammation due to overuse
- Common in sports requiring explosive
movements involving Flexion/Extension
of Knee
Patellar Tendon Rupture
- Excess tension of patellar tendon
- Usually preceded by Tendonitis or
Osgood’s - Not common in adolescents
Patellar Tendon Rupture Signs, Symptoms, & Management
- S&S:
~ Complaint of sudden snap/pop
~ Swelling = Edema
~ Tenderness
~ Discoloration
~ Deformity
~ Diminished/absent active knee
Extension - Management:
~ Splint/brace to immobilize
~ Crutches (non-weight bearing)
Patellofemoral Joint: Soft Tissue that keep Position Maintenance
- Bony Geometry
~ Patella is built and set up to stay in
femoral groove - Retinaculum
~ Medial: originates from Vastus
Medialis and Patella and inserts on
Tibia
~ Lateral: originates off of Vastus
Lateralis and Patella and inserts on
Tibia - Patellofemoral & Patellotibial Ligaments
- Muscles
~ Vastus Medialis
~ Vastus Lateralis
~ Vastus Intermedius
~ Rectus Femoris
Knee Conidtions
- Patella Femoral Stress Syndrome
~ Normal activity can cause it so ask if
any trauma to knee, if no suspect this - Chondromalacia Patellae
~ Caused by Patella Femoral Stress
Syndrome
~ Breakdown of patella - Patellar Subluxation/Dislocation
~ Easy to see
Patellar Subluxation/Dislocation Test
- Patellar Apprehension Test
~ Positive test indicated by patient
apprehension
~ Subluxation usually goes lateral and
this test mimics that
Neurovascular Injury
- Emergent
- Usually as a result of a Subluxation
- Same force of soft tissue MOI can injure
nervous and vascular structures - Nerves involved
~ Tibial: Dislocation or hyperextension
~ Common Peroneal: LCL
~ Saphenous: MCL
Tibial Nerve (Posterior)
- Sensory
~ Back of thigh
~ Lateral lower leg
~ Sole of foot - Muscles Innervated
~ Soleus
~ Gastrocnemius
~ Tibialis Posterior
~ Flexor Hallicus Longus
~ Flexor Digitorum Longus
~ Hamstrings
Common Peroneal Nerve
- Split from the Sciatic Nerve
- Splits into Deep and Superficial after
crossing the knee
Common Peroneal: Deep Peroneal (Anterior)
- Sensory
~ 1st web of foot - Muscles Innervated
~ Tibialis Anterior
~ Peroneus Tertius
~ Extensor Hallicus Longus
~ Extensor Digitorum Longus
Common Peroneal: Superficial Peroneal (Lateral)
- Sensory
~ Lateral lower leg
~ Lateral portion of dorsum of foot - Muscles Innervated
~ Peroneal Longus
~ Peroneal Brevis
Saphenous Nerve (Medial)
- Split from Femoral Nerve
- Sensory
~ Medial knee
~ Lower leg
Signs of Vascular Injury
- Expanding hematoma
- Absent distal pulse
~ Dislocation can cause an artery to tear - Cold and pale limb
Why is a Vascular injury worse than a Neurological injury?
- A vascular injury causes the lack of blood
flow to tissue resulting in tissue death - It’s very important to call EMS and refer
immediately if suspected
Q-Angle
- Angle of hips relative to lower leg
~ Abduction/Valgus - Women have larger Q-Angle due to
having wider hips - Larger Q-Angle predisposes you to ACL,
MCL, and Lateral Mensicus tear
Obturator Nerve
Innervates the upper/medial thigh
What does NSAIDs stand for?
Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs
Patellar Bursitis “Housemaid’s Knee”
- Patellar Bursa becomes too inflamed due
to excess friction