Knee Conditions Flashcards
What are the symptoms of an ACL tear?
sudden, painful, audible ‘pop’
rapid knee swelling
tender at lateral femoral condyle and lateral tibial plateau
What can cause an ACL injury?
Usually due to deceleration injury, forceful hyperextension, excessive rotational forces about the knee i.e. twisting injuries
What are investigations in ACL injury?
positive anterior draw test
x-rays, MRI
What is the treatment of ACL injury?
PRICEM + cautious physiotherapy
PRICEM = protected weight bearing, RICE, medicines
Medicines include diclofenac potassium, ibuprofen, naproxen
May require surgical reconstruction
What can cause MCL tear?
Excessive valgus stresses or external rotation forces on knee
What are symptoms of MCL tear?
medial knee pain
joint effusion
ecchymosis
audible pop/tearing sensation at time of injury
What are investigations for MCL injury?
xrays; plain and stress
MRI
What is the treatment for MCL injury?
RICE + physio
± protective ambulation
± MCL reconstruction
± ACL reconstruction
What are symptoms of meniscal tear?
knee swelling
knee instability/buckling/catching
knee pain
Baker’s cyst in chronic cases
What are investigations for meniscal tear?
MRI scan
Plain xrays
What is treatment for meniscal tear?
RICE
Physiotherapy
surgery
What are symptoms of patellofemoral pain syndrome?
ill-defined ache
pain aggravated by compressive force
Q angle
What are investigations for patellofemoral pain syndrome?
No initial test; clinical diagnosis
xray
MRI
What is the treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome?
activity modification and cold application
If abnormal patellofemoral joint mechanics; open/closed kinetic chain exercises
