Knee

Question 1

What is the unhappy triad?

Answer 1

• Anterior cruciate tear - Medial collateral tear - Medial meniscus tear

Question 2

What does a fluid level on knee XR indicate?

Answer 2

Haemarthrosis

Question 3

What are the causes of haemarthrosis?

Answer 3

• Primary
  
  • Coagulopathy e.g. warfarin
• Secondary (Trauma)
  
  • Mostly ACL injury
  • Meniscal tear/patella dislocation

Question 4

How should an acutely injured knee be treated?

Answer 4

• XR for fractures
• If none, RICE and re-examine once swelling has gone down
• If cruciate or meniscal damage suspected, MRI

Question 5

Why is arthroscopy used?

Answer 5

• Direct visualisation of the joint
• Meniscal tears can be trimmed or repaired
• Fragments (OA) can be removed

Question 6

How is an ACL rupture treated?

Answer 6

• Conservative
  
  • Rest
  • Physio to strengthen quads and hamstrings
• Surgery
  
  • Autograft repair
    
    • Semimembranosus/gracilis graft
    • Threaded through tibia and femur heads
    • Held with screws

Question 7

What does the ACL prevent?

Answer 7

Anterior dislocation of tibia

Question 8

What does the PCL prevent?

Answer 8

Posterior dislocation of the tibia