Knee Exam

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

1 - Introduce Yourself
2 - Confirm for patients' details
3 - Explain the procedure
4 - Gain Consent
5 - Ask if they have any pain before starting

Question 2

Pre-procedure

Answer 2

Wash hands

Expose area

Question 3

First Step

Answer 3

LOOK

Look the gait
Inspect the front/side/behind, looking for:
-Quadriceps bulk
-Swelling and skin lesions
-Feet deformity

Question 4

Second step

Answer 4

FEEL

1 - Temperature
2 - Palpate (both sides) - Straight leg
-Quadriceps tendon
-Patella
-Patella tendon
3 - Patella tap
4 - Swipe test
5 - Palpate - leg flexed at 90º
-Patella tendon
-Tibial tuberosity
-Medial joint lines.
6 - Measure and compare quadriceps circumference

Question 5

Third Step

Answer 5

MOVE

1 - Active (then passive) Knee flexion/extension
2 - PASSIVE knee hyperextension (greater than 10º is abnormal)

Question 6

Fourth step

Answer 6

Special tests

1 - Anterior drawer test
2 - Posterior drawer test
3 - Lachman’s Test (anterior cruciate)
4 - Assess medial and lateral collateral ligaments

Question 7

Final Steps

Answer 7

1 - Thank the patient
2 - Wash hands
3 - Summarise findings:
“Today I’ve performed a knee exam on James, a 23 yeard old male. On inspection, he had a normal gait, there were no visible deformities of his knee. On palpation, he had no pain, and a full range of active and passive movements. This was a normal knee exam”