Orthopedics Knee Flashcards
Normal Anatomy Knee
Physical Exam
- Both knees appear _______.
- Sw______ /Effusions?
- ________ to palpation?
- ROM (~0 - ____); patellar motion / instability
- Distal ______vascular exam (no different than hip)
- _______: Anterior/Posterior/Va____/Va____ - +definition?
- Both knees appear symmetric.
- Swelling / Effusions?
- Tenderness to palpation?
- ROM (~0 - 120); patellar motion / instability
- Distal neurovascular exam (no different than hip)
- Stability: Anterior/Posterior/Varus/Valgus
Common Conditions
(3)
Conditions 1 slide each
(7)
- Patellofemoral syndrome / chondromalacia patella / patellar instability
- Meniscal tears
- Degenerative joint disease / Arthritis (huge category of diagnoses!)
- Inflammatory v. noninflammatory…(outside the scope of this lecture)
- Ligament injuries
- Septic arthritis (can be any joint…)
- Patellar tendon rupture
- Quadriceps tendon rupture
- Patellar fracture
- Pes anserine bursitis
- Osgood-Schlatter
Patellofemoral syndrome / chondromalacia patella / patellar instability
=
_______ common, especially in ad______ and _____adults (____ > ____ gender)
- Can be idiopathic (i.e. no _______) with or without changes in the articular cartilage (1)
- Can be a result of patellar ___stability
- Diagnosis → ______ knee pain, ______ with kneeling, squatting, prolonged sitting, stairs, patellar compression
-
Treatment
- In general, responds very well to directed _______ / ______ceps strengthening
- Surgery reserved for significant anatomic mal______ or severe in______ only
- Some consider these conditions a precursor of patellofemoral ________
Anterior Knee pain
Extremely common, especially in adolescents and young adults (women > men)
- Can be idiopathic (i.e. no instability) with or without changes in the articular cartilage (chondromalacia)
- Can be a result of patellar instability
- Diagnosis → anterior knee pain, worse with kneeling, squatting, prolonged sitting, stairs, patellar compression
-
Treatment
- In general, responds very well to directed exercises / quadriceps strengthening
- Surgery reserved for significant anatomic malalignment or severe instability only
- Some consider these conditions a precursor of patellofemoral arthritis
Patellofemoral Syndrome History and Symptoms
- Diffuse _____ in the ______ of the knee (major symptom)
- ______ onset and typically v_____ in nature
- Aggravated by specific daily activities including
- C_____ or descending st____
- Prolonged sitting with knee ____ (known as “______ sign”)
- S______ or kneeling
- Cr_______ / Mechanical symptoms (anteriorly)
- Diffuse pain in the anterior of the knee (major symptom)
- Gradual onset and typically vague in nature
- Aggravated by specific daily activities including
- Climbing or descending stairs
- Prolonged sitting with knee bent (known as “theatre sign”)
- squatting or kneeling
- Crepitus / Mechanical symptoms (anteriorly)
Patellofemoral Syndrome PE
- Pain with com______ of patella with knee range of motion or resisted knee _______
- Signs of patellar _____
- Lateral ______ of patella in extension, _______ in flexion (compare motion to contralateral side)
- Positive patellar __________ test (discomfort with ______ force)
- Pain with compression of patella with knee range of motion or resisted knee extension
- Signs of patellar instability
- Lateral subluxation of patella in extension, reduces in flexion (compare motion to contralateral side)
- Positive patellar apprehension test (discomfort with lateral force)
Patellofemoral Syndrome Imaging
- XR:
- Recommended views: AP, ____ral, S_____
- Look for:
- Lateral patellar t____
- _______ trochlear groove
- Signs of PFJ DJD =
- Keep in mind:
- Even with severe lateral subluxation, the patella reduces with flexion (sunrise view)
- AP view can be deceiving (positioning / rotation of the x-ray)
- CT / MRI: ______ planning
- XR:
- Recommended views: AP, Lateral, Sunrise
- Look for:
- Lateral patellar tilt
- Shallow trochlear groove
- Signs of PFJ DJD = patellofemoral joint degenerative joint disease
- Keep in mind:
- Even with severe lateral subluxation, the patella reduces with flexion (sunrise view)
- AP view can be deceiving (positioning / rotation of the x-ray)
- CT / MRI: surgical planning
Patellofemoral Conditions Non-Op Treatment
- Mainstay of treatment and should be done for a minimum of one year: R___/ P_/N_____
- NSAIDS are more effective than ______
- ______ modification
- Rehabilitation with emphasis on
- V _ _ strengthening
- _______ strengthening: controversial → externally rotated leg
- Mainstay of treatment and should be done for a minimum of one year: Rest/ PT/NSAIDs
- NSAIDS are more effective than steroids
- Activity modification
- Rehabilitation with emphasis on
- Vastus medialis obliquus strengthening
- Quadriceps strengthening: controversial → externally rotated leg
Patellofemoral Conditions Operative Treatment
- Operative
- Very ____ results seen with debridements and “lateral releases”
- In cases of significant deformity, soft tissue and bony re______ can be done
- When to refer?
- Operative
- Very poor results seen with debridements and “lateral releases”
- In cases of significant deformity, soft tissue and bony realignments can be done
- Refer
- Symptoms not responsive to NSAIDs, PT, activity modification
Meniscal Tears
- Common _____-related injuries in young athletes and can also present as a ______ condition in older patients
- Diagnosis can be suspected clinically with joint ____ tenderness and a positive (1) test, and can be confirmed with (1) imaging.
-
Treatment can be nonoperative versus operative ((1) versus (1)) depending on the morphology of the meniscus tear, root involvement, patient symptoms, and patient activity demands.
- Most are treated ______ surgery
NOTE: Degenerative tears are a ______ part of the ______ process, are not separate injuries, and should not be treated in isolation (i.e. almost never MRI; never surgery)
- Common sports-related injuries in young athletes and can also present as a degenerative condition in older patients
- Diagnosis can be suspected clinically with joint line tenderness and a positive McMurray’s test, and can be confirmed with MRI imaging.
-
Treatment can be nonoperative versus operative (partial meniscectomy versus repair) depending on the morphology of the meniscus tear, root involvement, patient symptoms, and patient activity demands.
- Most are treated without surgery
NOTE: Degenerative tears are a normal part of the arthritis process, are not separate injuries, and should not be treated in isolation (i.e. almost never MRI; never surgery)
Meniscal Tears History and Symptoms
- Pain localized to m_____ or l____ joint _____
- Mechanical symptoms (l_____ and cl______), especially with f_____ / squatting
- Intermittent sw_______
- Pain localized to medial or lateral joint line
- Mechanical symptoms (locking and clicking), especially with flexion / squatting
- Intermittent swelling
Meniscal Tears Physical Exam
- Joint _____ tenderness (most sensitive physical examination finding)
- Eff_____
Provocative tests
- (1) Prone-flexion compression
- (1) standing at 20 degrees of knee flexion on the affected limb, the patient twists with knee external and internal rotation with positive test being discomfort or clicking
-
(1) flex the knee and place a hand on medial side of knee, externally rotate the leg and bring the knee into extension.
- a palpable pop / click + pain is a positive test and can correlate with a medial meniscus tear.
- Joint line tenderness (most sensitive physical examination finding)
- Effusion
Provocative tests
- Apley Compression: Prone-flexion compression
- Thessaly Test standing at 20 degrees of knee flexion on the affected limb, the patient twists with knee external and internal rotation with positive test being discomfort or clicking
-
McMurray’s Test flex the knee and place a hand on medial side of knee, externally rotate the leg and bring the knee into extension.
- a palpable pop / click + pain is a positive test and can correlate with a medial meniscus tear.
Meniscal Tears Imaging
- XR:
- Should be _____ in young patients with an acute meniscal injury
- Meniscal ________ may be seen in crystalline arthropathy
- Should be _____ in young patients with an acute meniscal injury
- (1)
- Most ______ diagnostic test but also high false positive rate
- “Over-calls” it…
- Look for _____ signal on the T2s
- Joint ______ making its way into the substance of the meniscus
- Most ______ diagnostic test but also high false positive rate
- XR:
- Should be _____ in young patients with an acute meniscal injury
- Meniscal calcifications may be seen in crystalline arthropathy
- Should be _____ in young patients with an acute meniscal injury
- MRI:
- Most sensitive diagnostic test but also high false positive rate
- “Over-calls” it…
- Look for bright signal on the T2s
- Joint fluid making its way into the substance of the meniscus
- Most sensitive diagnostic test but also high false positive rate
Meniscal Tears Non-Op Treatment
- R___, Rx (1), re________, in_______
- Indications
- Indicated as ______ line treatment for almost all tears
- Indications
- Outcomes
- Improvement in knee ______ following _ _
- “Non_____” when compared to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy
- Rest, NSAIDS, rehabilitation, injection
- Indications
- Indicated as first line treatment for almost all tears
- Indications
- Outcomes
- Improvement in knee function following physical therapy
- “Noninferior” when compared to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy
Meniscal Tears Operative Treatment
Indicatated when?
(2) options
Persistent painful mechanical symptoms that correspond with the anatomic location of the tear
Debridement vs. Repair
Degenerative Joint Disease/Arthritis
- ________ disease of the knee joint that causes progressive ____ of articular ________.
- Diagnosis can be made with plain (1) of the knee. (advanced imaging is not typically helpful)
- Treatment is observation, NSAIDs, tr_____ and cortico______ for minimally symptomatic patients. Knee (1) is indicated for progressive symptoms with severe degenerative disease.
- The most common types of arthritis are (2), but there are more than 100 different forms.
- I will focus on osteoarthritis
- Degenerative disease of the knee joint that causes progressive loss of articular cartilage.
- Diagnosis can be made with plain radiographs of the knee. (advanced imaging is not typically helpful)
- Treatment is observation, NSAIDs, tramadol and corticosteroids for minimally symptomatic patients. Knee arthroplasty is indicated for progressive symptoms with severe degenerative disease.
- The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but there are more than 100 different forms.
- I will focus on osteoarthritis
Degenerative Joint Disease/Arthritis History and Symptoms
- A__, f_______ activity, p______ of arthritic involvement, overall health and du_____ of symptoms
- Function-limiting knee _____
- l_____ walking distances
- Activity induced sw_____
- Knee s____ness
- Mechanical symptoms → more cr_____ than what is seen with meniscal tears
- Age, functional activity, pattern of arthritic involvement, overall health and duration of symptoms
- Function-limiting knee pain
- limited walking distances
- Activity induced swelling
- Knee stiffness
- Mechanical symptoms → more crepitus than what is seen with meniscal tears
Degenerative Joint Disease/Arthritis PE
- Inspection
- Body h______
- G____ (often protects the affected side)
- Ef_____?
- Alignment
- Va___ or Va____?
- Range of motion (compare to _____lateral side)
- ______ exam (stiffness of arthritis usually precludes any significant issues with ligament laxity)
- Inspection
- Body habitus
- Gait (often protects the affected side)
- Effusion?
- Alignment
- Varus or Valgus?
- Range of motion (compare to contralateral side)
- Stability exam (stiffness of arthritis usually precludes any significant issues with ligament laxity)
Degenerative Joint Disease/Arthritis Imaging
- XR:
- Recommended views
- Weight-______ views of affected joint
- Optional views
- S______ view
- _ _ view in 30 degrees of flexion
- Look for:
- Joint _____ narrowing
- Osteo_____
- Subchondral s______
- Subchondral c_____
- Recommended views
- MRI: ______ the urge, especially in advanced disease
- XR:
- Recommended views
- Weight-bearing views of affected joint
- Optional views
- Sunrise view
- PA view in 30 degrees of flexion
- Look for:
- Joint space narrowing
- Osteophytes
- Subchondral sclerosis
- Subchondral cysts
- Recommended views
- MRI: Resist the urge, especially in advanced disease
Degenerative Joint Disease/Arthritis Non-Op Treatment
- R___, N_____, _____ilitation, ____tion
- Note on injections:
- ______ is the ______
- Strong evidence ______ HA injections (e.g. Synvisc, Hyalgan) but most insurance still covers this…
- Strong evidence against glucosamine/chondroitin
- Note on injections:
- Rest, NSAIDs, rehabilitation, injection
- Note on injections:
- Cortisone is the mainstay
- Strong evidence against HA (hyaluronic acid) injections (e.g. Synvisc, Hyalgan) but most insurance still covers this…
- Strong evidence against glucosamine/chondroitin
- Note on injections:
Degenerative Joint Disease/Arthritis Operative Treatment
- High tibial ______
- Younger patients with isolated medial disease (uncommon)
- ____compartmental arthroplasty (much less common than TKA)
- _____ Knee Arthroplasty
- Approaching 1 million per year in the US!
- Projected 855% increase by 2050…(will it bankrupt the system!?)
- High tibial osteotomy
- Younger patients with isolated medial disease (uncommon)
- Unicompartmental arthroplasty (much less common than TKA)
- Total Knee Arthroplasty
- Approaching 1 million per year in the US!
- Projected 855% increase by 2050…(will it bankrupt the system!?)
Surgical Steps
- Meet the patient in the ___-op holding area
- ___ the leg
- N______ and a_____ meets with the patient as well. This is almost always the first (and only) time the patient meets their anesthesiologist
- To OR
- Anesthesia (usually s_____)
- Position (leg t______)
- Prep/drape
- Time-____
- Incision, cut distal ______, cut proximal _____ (both perpendicular to the mechanical axis of the leg, either using mechanical jigs or computer navigation).
- Meet the patient in the pre-op holding area
- Mark the leg
- Nursing and anesthesia meets with the patient as well. This is almost always the first (and only) time the patient meets their anesthesiologist
- To OR
- Anesthesia (usually spinal)
- Position (leg tourniquet)
- Prep/drape
- Time-out
- Incision, cut distal femur, cut proximal tibia (both perpendicular to the mechanical axis of the leg, either using mechanical jigs or computer navigation).
Finishing Cuts, Trials
- St______ in flexion, extension, midflexion
- Full extension, flexion to ~____ degrees
- Regardless _____ ROM is best predictor of post-op…
- Remove trials
- Wash
- Ce_____ in real components
- Wash
- Close
- R_____ room
- Stability in flexion, extension, midflexion
- Full extension, flexion to ~120
- Regardless pre-op ROM is best predictor of post-op…
- Remove trials
- Wash
- Cement in real components
- Wash
- Close
- Recovery room
Other Knee Conditions (1 slide each)
(7)
- Ligament injuries
- Septic arthritis (can be any joint…)
- Patellar tendon rupture
- Quadriceps tendon rupture
- Patellar fracture
- Pes anserine bursitis
- Osgood-Schlatter