Palpation

Question 1

General

Answer 1

Look for changes in temperature

Joint swelling

Redness/wounds

Question 2

Effusion/swelling

Answer 2

Patella tap - pincher grip down on suprapatella poach
fluid should be pushed under patella

Tap central patella

Click as patella move down through the fluid and rebounds off of femur

Most useful for moderate/large effusions

Sweep test -
Start medial and sweep up to suprapatella poach
Hold this hand here and swepp laterally proximal to distal
Positive test is when a wave of fluid or a bulge of fluid moves down the lateral side of the knee

Question 3

Medial/lateral joint lines

Answer 3

Do this with knee in flexion
Drop off the femoral condyles
Work all the way to patella

Meniscus and sometimes OA = tenderness

Question 4

Patella tendon

Answer 4

Inferior pole of patella

Drop down and move centrally down to TT

Question 5

Fat pad

Answer 5

Palpate in extension
Either side of patella tendon
Hoffas test: Knee rested on your knee to keep in flexion
Palpate the fat pad and then get the patient to extend the knee

Question 6

MCL

Answer 6

Posterior 2/3 of joint
Runs from distal medial condyle down to approx 2.5cm below joint line
Pes ans at bottom of MCL

Question 7

LCL

Answer 7

Posterior 2/3 of joint

Runs from lateral femoral condyle into fibula head

Question 8

Hamstring

Answer 8

Prone 
Knee slightly flexed 
Contract isometrically until you see the hamstring tendons 
Then palpate tendons for tendinopathy 
Muscle belly for tears