Knee Injuries and Special Tests

Question 1

What are lateral and medical collateral ligament injuries?

Answer 1

Acute tears of LCL or MCL or chronic weakening of ligaments.

Question 2

Ssx of LCL and MCL Injuries

Answer 2

Pain over area (lateral or medial side of knee).
Swelling or stiffness.
Weakness
Limited ROM
Pain when weight bearing.

Question 3

Assessment of LCL and MCL Injuries

Answer 3

Varus stress test
Valgus stress test

Question 4

Varus Stress Test

Answer 4

Positive = increase pain or laxity.
Indicates possible injury to LCL.

Question 5

Valgus Stress Test

Answer 5

Positive = increase pain or laxity
Indicates possible injury to MCL.

Question 6

What are anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injuries?

Answer 6

Acute tears of ACL or PCL, or chronic weakening of ligaments.

Question 7

Ssx of ACL and PCL Injuries

Answer 7

Pain over area (anterior/deep into knee or posterior knee).
Swelling or stiffness
Weakness in knee movement or weight bearing.
Limited ROM
Giving way feeling
Possible popping sound at time of injury.

Question 8

Assessments of ACL Injuries

Answer 8

Lachman’s test
ACL Drawer Test

Question 9

Lachman’s Test

Answer 9

Positive = anterior translation of tibia on femur
Indicates possible injury to ACL
Lots of swelling can influence the results of the test, especially if only minor tear (ie. not fully torn).
Good to do right after injury or after swelling goes down.

Question 10

ACL Drawer Test

Answer 10

Positive = anterior translation of tibia on femur.
Indicates possible injury to ACL,

Question 11

Assessments of PCL Injuries

Answer 11

PCL Drawer Test

Question 12

PCL Drawer Test

Answer 12

Positive = posterior translation of tibia on femur.
Indicates possible injury to PCL>

Question 13

What are meniscus injuries?

Answer 13

Acute lateral or medial meniscus tears

Question 14

Ssx of Meniscus Tears

Answer 14

Pain deep in knee
Pain with twisting, turning, pivoting
Swelling and stiffness
Popping sensation at time of injury.
Catching or locking or giving way feeling.
Difficulty fully extending knee
Tenderness along joint line

Question 15

Assessments of Meniscus Injuries

Answer 15

McMurray’s Test
Apley’s Compression and Distraction Test

Question 16

McMurray’s Test

Answer 16

Positive = pain, snap or grinding feeling.
Indication of possible meniscus lesion
-internal rotation = lateral meniscus
-external rotation = medial meniscus

Question 17

Apley’s Compression and Distraction Test

Answer 17

Good to start with and branch out from there.
Positive = increase in pain
Compression = indicates possible meniscus injury
Distraction = indicates possible ligament injury