Ortho- Lower Extremities Jaynstein Flashcards
Valgus vs varus
Valgus is when the knees come together (gum) and varus is when the knees go out
_______ connects the posterior aspect of the femoral condyle to the anterior aspect of the tibia
ACL
ACL injury typically tears in a non-contact deceleration, producing _______ twisting
valgus
Pivot sports where you plant foot and femur comes toward and tear ACL
What are symptoms of a torn ACL?
“pop,” tenative approach to walking, difficulty bearing weight, knee feels “unstable”
Should you test ACL with the lachmann’s and anterior drawer and lever sign when they have an ACL tear?
usually don’t test when unstable and wait until the swelling goes down
If there is direct trauma to an ACL what imaging should you get? If there is indirect trauma, what imaging would you be less likely to get?
xray, less likely to get xray for pivot trauma
An exam of this type of injury shows:
- Knee xrays often show a large effusion
- Can demonstrate a Segond fracture –> avulsion fx of the lateral tibial plateau
ACL
TOC for ACL
MRI without contrast but effusions can obscure imaging
Treatment for ACL for young/active with complete tear?
Surgical repair (allograft or autograft)
Treatment for ACL for older/sedentary or partial tear?
Conservative- PT to strengthen the hamstrings
*Typically you will wait 6 months to operate on an ACL tear
What type of bracing should you use for ACL injuries?
• Bracing (debated) to protect other structures – pt at increased risk of secondary
meniscus injury
• Acute: knee immobilizer and crutches (if unstable)
• Subacute/chronic: hinged brace (if stable) because more mobile
This type of injury is mc due to a blow to the knee while it’s flexed and is commonly done in “dashboard accidents” or running and falling up the stairs and hitting knee on the stairs
PCL
What are signs and symptoms of a PCL injury?
Swelling is immediate and typically profound with severe PAIN and limited ROM
This exam finding is typical of what type of injury?
• “sag sign” – obvious set-off of the tibia posterior
PCL
What is the preferred imaging in a patient with a PCL injury and why is it important?
MRI with contrast because this is a severe injury and you want to check that the popliteal artery is intact
What is treatment for a PCL tear?
Ortho referral and often admitted because pain so severe, RICE, surgery
This type of tear is the mc injured ligament in the knee and is often associated with concurrent ACL tear?
MCL
The MCL (and LCL) are extra-articular and, therefore, joint ______ is less common with these injuries
effusion
MOI for this injury is typically plant and get hit on the outside of the leg so it goes in. There is also very localized tender pain on the medial side
- Valgus stress on a partially flexed knee
- Lateral to medial impact
MCL
What test do you do to test the MCL?
Valgus stress exam- causes pain and laxity
Don’t typically need an MRI- watch and wait
Treatment for MCL?
Weight bearing as tolerated, bracing, PT, allow for 6-8 weeks for healing
*isolated MCL tears rarely need surgery
A patient planted and got hit from the inside, this is rare but what type of injury might the person have?
LCL
Mode of injury of this ligament?
- Varus stress on a partially flexed knee
- Medial impact
LCL
What are signs of an LCL tear?
- Focal pain over ligament
- Minor swelling
- Limited ROM acutely – improves 2 wks
What is the test of choice for LCL tear?
Varus test, testing pain and laxity
Treatment for LCL tear?
Ortho referral- often surgical, & brace
This type of injury mc happens from multiple, usually twisting related non-blunt force injury
meniscus
What type of injury are these symptoms of? • “catching,” “locking,” “clicking” • Painful walking and squatting • Mild to moderate joint swelling • *** Joint line tenderness
Meniscus tear
*** Joint line tenderness should make you think of
Meniscus tear
Pts with this injury may experience “locking in extension” – piece/flap of meniscus obstruction joint
Meniscus tear
What imaging would you do for meniscus and what would it show?
Xrays usually normal but may show joint space narrowing or effusion
What is the imaging of choice for a meniscus tear?
MRI
Treatment for meniscus? Degenerative and acute?
- Degenerative tears – non-op, PT
* Acute tears – arthroscopic meniscus repair or debridement
This type of injury is considered an orthopedic emergency?
Knee dislocation (complete dislocation of the tibiofemoral joint which is behind the knee)
How many ligaments do you have to tear in your knee for a complete dislocation and which type of dislocation is mc?
3 out of 4 and anterior
What nerve and artery are behind the knee that you really need to be aware of in knee dislocations?
popliteal artery and peronal nerve
This type of injury is most common with high-energy trauma such as hyperextension or anterior blow to knee
knee dislocation
What are some signs of knee dislocation?
PAIN, gross deformity, large effusion, significant pain
What is so important to check in people with knee dislocations?
- MUST evaluate for neurovascular injuries!
- Palpable distal pulses – does NOT exclude the possibility of a vascular injury!
- Obtain Ankle-Brachial Index
- Popliteal vasculature
An ABI measures the ________ BP of the ______ and ______ artery
systolic, ankle and brachial
An ABI < _______ is a sign for concern
0.9
What is the gold standard imaging for a knee dislocation?
CT arteriogram (gold standard) or arterial duplex ultrasound
- Evaluates for popliteal artery injury
- once you make sure vasculature is intact, you can do which imaging? MRI
What is the treatment for a knee dislocation?
• IV pain control – often admitted for this alone!
• Reduce–even if pt has a vascular injury–reduce than reassess and obtain
ortho/vascular consult and advanced imaging (*longer something is out, harder it is to get back in)
• Post-reduction xray
• Splint in a long leg splint with 20-30 degree flexion
• Admit for pain control and serial exams with ortho consult
Bursa becomes irritated and produces too much fluid, which causes it to swell and puts pressure on the adjacent parts of the knee
Knee bursitis
“housemaids knee or gardeners knee”
Knee bursitis