Download Knee Injuries

Knee Injuries
Taelar Shelton, MS, ATC, LAT, CES
Terminology
 Sprains (ligaments)
 1ST degree
 2nd degree
 3rd degree
 MOI- mechanism of injury
 S&S- signs and symptoms
 Rx- treatment and management
 P! means pain
 Patellofemoral vs tibiofemoral
Contusion
 Bruise
 MOI- Blow to the bony tissue
or muscles crossing the knee
 S&S- Pain, acute
inflammation, swelling,
discoloration
 Rx- Rest, usually RTP in 24-48
hours, RICE
Bursitis
 MOI- Acute, chronic or
recurrent
 Inflammation due to:
continued kneeling or overuse
of patellar tendon
 S&S- swelling
 Rx- Eliminate cause, decrease
inflammation
 Aspirate if chronic
MCL sprain (1st, 2nd, 3rd deg)
 MOI- valgus force
 S&S- tender on jt line, p!
during lateral movement,
swelling, decrease in stability,
+valgus stress test
 Rx- RICE, work on ROM,
strength, crutches if they walk
with a limp, brace,
cryokinetics, grade 3 should be
referred, not usually surgical
LCL sprain
(Acute lateral knee sprain)
 MOI- varus force; outward
force to lateral capsule and
LCL, leg internally rotated
knee is forced outward
 S&S- P! on lateral jt, some
swelling, jt instability, +varus
stress test
 Rx- similar to MCL sprain
ACL sprain
 MOI- plant and twist, forced
hyperextension
 S&S- pop, p!, swelling,
difficulty walking, +anterior
drawer and lachman’s
 Rx- test quickly, refer for MRI,
RICE, surgery, brace, crutches,
rehab for 6-12 months
PCL sprain
 MOI- fall on flexed knee,
dashboard injury, hard blow to
the anterior aspect of knee,
rotational force
 S&S- pop, tenderness on
posterior knee, some swelling,
+ sag sign, + posterior drawer
 Rx- RICE, quad strengthening,
referral- occasionally surgery
(6 week rehab)
Meniscal Lesions
 MOI- valgus force with an MCL
sprain, weight bearing activity
with a rotation of the tibia
 S&S- catching, locking, jt p!,
effusion, muscle spasm, p!
with squats, MRI, +McMurry,
+Appley’s
 Rx- referral to a physician,
MRI, surgery may be necessary
(menisectomy or mensical
repair), rehab
Knee Plica
 MOI- synovial membrane
folds, born with it and it wasn’t
absorbed, can become
pathological ~20% of
population
 S&S- catching, P! usually on
medial aspect of the jt, +plica
stutter test
 Rx- conservatively or surgical
intervention
Knee Fat Pad
 MOI- fat pad gets wedged,
hyperextension, kneeling,
direct blow
 S&S- hemorrhaging, p!,
weakness, swelling, stiffness
 Rx- rest, heel elevation, ice
Loose Body “Joint Mice”
 MOI- Repeated trauma to
knee, fragments of menisci or
synovial tissue that move
around the joint space and
become lodged
 S&S- locking, popping, knee
giving way
 Rx- surgical removal