Lower Extremity: Knee Flashcards
What are the four main ligaments of the knee?
ACL, PCL, LCL, MCL
What are the purposes of the lateral and medial meniscus?
cushioning and preventing bone on bone contact
Which meniscus is bigger?
Medial because of orientation of Tibia
How do we divide the meniscus?
Front- anterior, posterior - back
Depends on vascularity of area for injury length
What are the four quad muscles?
Quadricep Fermoris Vastus
Rectus Fermoris (important for hip and knee extension)
What are the hamstring muscles?
Bicep Fermoris (most important for flexion and hip extension)
What muscle plays a big part in ACL tears?
Calves because valgus collapse of the knee
When landing, knees cave inward
Tight calves prevent dorsiflexion which is important for absorption
How to prevent knee injuries?
good conditioning, be well-rounded in terms of strength, flexibility, cardiovascular and muscular endurance
muscles around the hip and knee must be strengthened to maximize stability
shoe type (cleats on turf)
What are Prophylactic Knee Braces?
prevent and reduce severity
provide degree of support but should only be temporary
What are the stress tests for the knees? Which is more commonly injured between the two?
Valgus (push inside for MCL)
Vargus (push outside for LCL)
MCL is more common because of getting hit on the outside of the knee
How to test ACL? How does ACL tear
Lachman Drawer test
trying to pull tibia, should feel stop
rotational forces from cutting or stopping
How to test meniscus tear?
Apley’s compression test - hard downward pressure is applied with rotation (not great because its painful regardless of injury)
Percentage of ACL tears?
80% of ACL injury are not contact
What do you call injuring all ligaments? Why?
Unhappy Triad
Injuries to one is usually associated with another ligament injury because of compromise (ACL and MCL)
Why are females more likely to tear ACL?
Bigger pelvis means a sharper femoral angle leading to
How do MCL’s get injured?
results of severe blow or outward twist (valgus force)
How does an LCL get injured?
results of a vargus force, tibia is internally rotated
What is an anterior Cruciate Ligament sprain? How is it caused
deceleration with foot planted and turns in direction of planted foot forcing rapid internal rotation
How is meniscus injured? What are the signs?
Rotary force with knee flexed or extended while weight bearing
rotation + valgus force + rotation of calf
What to consider when assessing meniscus tear?
pain in knee line, locking, or pain when squatting
What is a joint contusion? What are the signs? Treatment?
blow to the muscles crossing the joint
present as knee sprain, severe pain, loss of movement, signs of inflammation and swelling
rice initially and swelling persists
what is a knee plica? What are the signs?
Folding of synovial tissue. Twisting of knee with foot fixed, sitting for prolonged periods
knee locking, pain with stars
usually medial patellar plica
What are the importances of Bursitis in the knee?
Prepatellar = continued kneeling Infrapatellar = overuse of patellar tendon
localized swelling above knee, inflammation
What is Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome? The signs?
How to treat?
Runner’s Knee
repeated/overuse from poor mechanics and repeated knee flexion and extension
irritation at band’s insertion (lateral femoral condyle), tenderness, swelling, and redness
correct misalignments, ice before and after activity, avoidance of aggravating activities
