Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Year 2- MSK > Knee Ligament Injuries > Flashcards

Knee Ligament Injuries Flashcards

ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL

1
Q

Rotatory instability meaning

A

Knee twists too much, often from ligament damage = PCL, ACL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Valgus instability meaning

A

Knee buckles inward, usually from MCL injury = MCL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Varus instability meaning

A

causes the knee to bend outward (away from the body) = LCL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What type of instability is caused by an Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear?

A

Rotatory instability due to excessive internal rotation of the tibia

= lower leg twists inwards too much, making the knee feel wobbly or unstable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What type of instability results from an Medial Collateral Ligament injury?

A

Valgus instability – the knee opens up on the inner (medial) side
= inside of the knee opens up too much

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What instability may result from a Posterior Cruciate Ligament tear?

A

Recurrent hyperextension or instability when descending stairs

= The knee bends back too much or feels unstable, especially when going downstairs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does a posterolateral corner rupture cause?

A
  1. Varus - The outer side of the knee opens too much (knee bends outward)
  2. Rotatory instability - The knee twists too much and feels wobbly

= affects LCL, PCL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the effect of multi ligament injuries?

A

Gross knee instability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the usual mechanism of injury for MCL tears? - Medial Collateral Ligament

A

Valgus stress, often with external rotation (eg, side tackle in rugby)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a typical clinical sign of MCL injury?

A

Medial joint line tenderness and pain on valgus stress

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How are most MCL tears managed?

A

Non-operatively in a hinged knee brace; they usually heal well

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What’s the most commonly injured ligament in the knee?

A

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How are isolated MCL tears diagnosed?

A

Clinically, though X-rays or MRI may be used to rule out other injuries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What’s a classic mechanism of ACL injury?

A

Twisting on a planted foot during sports like football, rugby, or skiing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Which clinical tests are used for ACL injuries?

A

Anterior drawer test and Lachman test

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are two classic clinical signs of ACL injury?

A

Audible pop followed by swelling (haemarthrosis) and rotatory instability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the gold standard imaging test for ACL tears?

A

(1) Joint aspiration - haemarthrosis (bleeding into joint space)

(2) MRI to confirm

18
Q

What are the main indications for ACL reconstruction?

A
  1. Ongoing rotatory instability
  2. Multi-ligament injuries
  3. High-level athletes
19
Q

What is the main ligament stabilising the internal rotation of the tibia?

20
Q

Why is ACL injury more common in females?

A

Due to biomechanical and hormonal factors

21
Q

Does ACL reconstruction prevent osteoarthritis?

A

No – most patients show radiographic OA within 10 years, even with surgery

22
Q

What is the mechanism of PCL injury?

A

A direct blow to the anterior tibia, such as in a dashboard injury
= direct impact to the front (anterior) of the shin (tibia)

23
Q

What are two key clinical signs of a PCL tear?

A
  1. Positive posterior drawer test
  2. Positive sag sign
24
Q

What is the typical cause of an Lateral Collateral Ligament injury?

A
  1. Varus stress = Pressure on the outer side of the knee, causing it to bend inward
  2. Hyperextension = The knee bends backwards beyond its normal range
25
How are PCL injuries usually investigated?
X-ray and MRI
26
What is a key complication associated with LCL injury?
Common fibular (peroneal) nerve palsy
27
What physical exam test is used to assess LCL integrity?
Varus stress test = The examiner applies pressure to the outside of the knee while holding the ankle to see if the knee opens up too much on the inner side
28
What injuries make up the unhappy triad of the knee?
1. ACL 2. MCL 3. Meniscus (commonly lateral, though classically medial)
29
Describe the anterior drawer test
1. Left knee flexed at 90 degrees 1. Examiner pulls the tibia anteriorly in relation to the femur with force → 2. Right leg extended Excessive forward movement of the tibia indicates a potential ACL injury =  anterior cruciate ligament
30
What is the typical cause of the unhappy triad?
A lateral blow to the knee
31
'A 28-year-old professional footballer is admitted to the emergency department. During a tackle, he is twisted with his knee flexed. He hears a loud crack and his knee rapidly becomes swollen' What does this suggest?
Anterior cruciate ligament rupture = rapid joint swelling
32
A 75-year-old male presents to the emergency room after being involved in a head-on car crash. He complains of severe pain in his left knee. On examination of the lower limbs, you note that the tibia displaces posteriorly on application of a force. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rupture
33
What are the differences between an ACL and meniscal tears?
ACL 1. Rapid swelling (within 1–2 hours) due to haemarthrosis 2. Audible "pop" at the time of injury 3. Instability – knee gives way during twisting or pivoting 4. Positive Lachman and anterior drawer tests Meniscal Tear 1. Delayed swelling (hours to days) or sometimes none 2. Locking or catching of the knee 3. Joint line tenderness 4. Pain is worse when straightening the knee 5. Positive Thessaly’s or McMurray’s test
34
A 28-year-old male presents to the emergency room with severe pain in the right knee following an injury during a football match. He states that he was tackled from behind, and then felt a 'pop' and severe pain which was followed by rapid swelling of the joint. On examination, there is a right-sided knee effusion and a positive Lachman test. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture
35
MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) in short
Inside the knee = If injured, the knee feels like it opens up on the inner side. Typically caused by a direct blow to the outer side of the knee
36
LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament) in short
Outside of the knee If injured, the knee feels like it opens up on the outer side. Usually due to a blow to the inside of the knee
37
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in short
Inside the knee, it prevents the tibia from moving too far forward Often injured in sports when the knee twists or stops suddenly
38
Describe the posterior Drawer test
1. Left knee flexed under evaluation at 90 degrees 1. Examiner applies gentle force to move the tibia posteriorly ← 2. Right leg extended Excessive backward movement of the tibia indicates a potential PCL injury = posterior cruciate ligament
39
PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) In short
Inside the knee, it prevents the tibia from moving too far backwards Often injured by a direct blow to the front of the knee, like during a car crash (dashboard injury)
40
What is the blood supply of the cruciate ligaments?
Middle genicular artery
41
What is the most sensitive test for cruciate ligament rupture?
Lachman's test

Year 2- MSK (44 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions