| Knee Injuries and Conditions |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Chondromalacia patella Same as above Repeated direct trauma to the patella as in recurrent subluxation Pre-disposing factors may include malalignment of extensor mechanism of the knee, leg length, or abnormal pronation of the ankle Pain under the patella upon flexion and extension of the knee Tenderness along the medial border and articular surface of the patella Slight stiffness of the knee joint Pain when walking up and down stairs Temporary loss of function Instability Swelling Subpatellar crepitation on active movement Atrophy of the quadriceps Pre—disposing Q-angle greater than 18-20º Tenderness along the medial border and articular surface of the patella Patella grind test Patella compression test Measure Q-angle Refer to an orthopedic surgeon X-ray MRI Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Lateral meniscal tear Torn cartilage Indirect forces such as internal rotation of a planted foot and lower leg Hyperextension of the knee Hyperflexion of the knee Cutting motion Prolonged overuse Pain Periodic locking Sensation of the knee “giving way” Possible clicking sensation when walking up or down stairs Pain when squatting Lateral joint pain Swelling Weakened or atrophied quadriceps muscle Possible locking McMurry’s test Apley’s comression test Modified Apley’s compression test Bounce home test Not applicable Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Iliotibial band friction syndrome Same as above Overuse as in long-distance running causing an irritation from friction of the iliotibial band over the lateral femoral epicondyle Discomfort, ranging from a dull ache to sharp pain on the lateral aspect of the knee Pain that increases with running on uneven terrain Pain that increases with knee flexion and extension while weight bearing Tenderness over the lateral femoral epicondyle on palpation Clicking sensation on palpation over the lateral demoral epicondyle with weight bearing at 30º of flexion Ober’s test Palpate the lateral femoral epicondyle with weight bearing at 30º of flexion Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Hoffa’s disease Fat pad contusion Direct trauma as in a fall on the knee Indirect trauma from the pad being vaught between the femoral condyles and the tibial plateaus on extension or repeated kneeling Pain Tenderness medial and lateral to the patella tendon Loss of normal knee function Swelling inferior to the patella Point tenderness medial and lateral to the patella tendonLoss of normal knee functionInflammation Not applicable Refer to an orthopedic surgeon if symptoms/signs persist Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Popliteal cyst Baker’s cyst Posterior damage to the medial meniscus Hernia of the semitendinous sheath Deterioration of the posterior capsule The contents of the bursal sac may discharge into the knee, causing synovitis Pain Loss of normal knee function Large soft tissue on the medial side in the popliteal space Periodic swelling Not applicable Refer to an orthopedic surgeon MRI Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Peroneal nerve contusion Same as above Direct trauma to the proximal fibula Immediate severe local pain Electric shock sensation radiating to anterior and lateral leg and the dorsum of the foot Numbness and tingling Tenderness of the underlying nerve Edema Possible paralysis Point tenderness over the peroneal nerve Assessment of range of motion and strength, especially the ankle dorsiflexors ande evertors Neurological assessment of the peroneal nerve Refer to a neurologist EMG studies Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Patellar tendon rupture Same as above Indirect force as in landing in an off-balance position causing a violent contraction of the quadriceps Sudden, sharp pain Loss of quadriceps function A snap or pop heard when the injury occurs Tenderness Patella sitting proximal (high-riding patella) Point tenderness at the site of the rupture Defect that can be felt in the area of the patella tendon Loss of knee extension Assessment of range of motion and strength Refer to an orthopedic surgeon Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Osgood-Schlatter condition Same as above Overuse such as repetitive stress on the patella tendon, causing avulsion at the tibial tuberosity This condition may be related to a growth spurt in athletes in pre-pubertal stage of development Pain on active movement of the quadriceps Point tenderness below the knee at the tibial tuberosity Pain on squatting Pain on resistive movement of the quadriceps Quadriceps atrophy Prominent tibial epiphysis Point tenderness on palpation of the tibial tuberosity Swelling Inflammation Not applicable Refer to an orthopedic surgeon X-ray Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Sinding-Larsen-Johansson condition Same as above Overuse of the patella tendon Pain on kneeling or activity Loss of normal knee function Tenderness at the inferior pole of the patella Pain on active and resistive movement This condition is most common in youths 10 to 12 years of age Pain at the inferior pole of the patella Swelling Point tenderness Possible bony irregularity at the patella tendon origin Assessment of range of motion and strength Refer to an orthopedic surgeon Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Osteochondritis dissecans Joint mice Unknown Impairment of the blood supply to the affected segment of bone causing a degeneration of the articular cartilage Pain after exercise Loss of function Chronic, non-specific intermittent locking Chronic, non-specific swellingLoss of function Muscle atrophy Possible crepitus Transient lockingPossible palpation of loose bodies Not applicable Refer to an orthopedic surgeon X-ray MRI Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Knee synovitis Water on the knee Trauma Contusion Sprain Irritation from floating of cartilage Pain after activity Loss of function Tenderness Swelling Loss of function Erythema Tenderness Muscle spasm Patella floating up from condyles due to swelling (ballottable patella) Ballottable patella test Refer to an orthopedic surgeon Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Plica irritation Same as above Indirect traum as with torsion and a foot planted Overuse such as running Painful pseudo-locking after sitting Pain on using stairs or squatting Popping as the knee passes 20 º to 30º of flexion while weight bearing Popping is usually over the superior/medial aspect of the patella Flex the knee 20 º to 30º while weight bearing and palpate for a popping sensation Refer to an orthopedic surgeon Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Medial meniscal tear Torn cartilage Indirect force applied to the knee, while the foot is planted, causing external rotation of the tibia Hyperflexion Cutting motion Prolonged overuse Pain Periodic locking Sensation of the knee “giving way” Possible clicking sensation when walking up or down stairs Pain when squatting Medial joint line pain Swelling Weakened or atrophied quadriceps muscle Possible locking McMurry’s test Apley’s comression test Modified Apley’s compression test Bounce home test Not applicable Not applicable |