ATRAUMATIC PAINFUL KNEE CONDITIONS Michael Stanton, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon Rochester Regional Health Orthopaedics at Red Creek
Patellofemoral Syndrome Anterior knee pain Patellofemoral pain syndrome Patellar chondromalacia
Patellofemoral Syndrome Adolescents and young adults Women > Men Pain vs. instability Multiple factors involved Muscle weakness (hip, core, knee) Chondral lesions Patellar maltracking
Symptoms Diffuse pain in peripatellar or retropatellar region Gradual onset Worse with activities Stairs Prolonged sitting with knee bent Squatting/kneeling
Exam Range of motion Patellar translation/instability Quad atrophy Hip/core weakness Crepitus with ROM Pain with compression of patella
Why does it hurt? Dye et al. – “Conscious neurosensory mapping of the internal structures of the human knee without intraarticular anesthesia.” Fat pad and synovium very sensitive Articular surface, meniscus, ligaments much less sensitive Articular cartilage aneural but subchondral bone has potential to generate pain
Treatment Non-operative management NSAIDs, ice, activity modification Isolated VMO strengthening??? Hip/core/knee strengthening Closed chain exercises Operative management Lateral release Patellar realignment surgery for instability
Patellar/Quad Tendonitis “Jumper’s knee, runner’s knee” Younger athletic population Quadriceps tendonitis More common in older population Risk factors Quad weakness Hamstring/Quad tightness
Physical Exam Tenderness to palpation at inferior pole of patella Assess flexibility Patellar tracking
Treatment Non-operative Rest, ice, activity modification, physical therapy Chopat’s strap Avoid corticosteroid injections Operative Debridement and repair of tendon
Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesion involving articular cartilage and subchondral bone Two forms based on age Juvenile (open growth plates) Adult Most common location posterolateral aspect of medial femoral condyle (70%)
Osteochondritis Dissecans Unclear etiology in most cases Adult form thought to be due to vascular insult Often found incidentally Can lead to softening of cartilage, partial detachment, and separation with loose bodies Prognosis strongly correlated with age (open physes)
Osteochondritis Dissecans Vague activity related pain Recurrent effusions Mechanical symptoms indicate late disease Wilson’s Test Pain with internally rotating tibia between 30°-90°, relieved with external rotation
Operative Treatment Depends on stage of disease and size of lesion Subchondral drilling Fixation of unstable lesion Debridement and microfracture Loose body removal Osteochondral transplant
Loose Bodies Pain and intermittent catching/locking Sometimes palpable Cartilage fragment Arthroscopic removal for failed non-operative treatment
Septic Arthritis Knee is most common joint ~50% of cases 3 etiologies of seeding of joint Bacteremia Direct inoculation (trauma/surgery) Contiguous spread (adjacent osteomyelitis) Most common organism – staph aureus Symptoms Red, hot, swollen joint Unable to tolerate motion/weight bearing Fevers (60%)
Septic Arthritis Joint aspiration Gram stain – shows organism 1/3 of the time Cell count >50,000 considered diagnostic Surgical emergency Open or arthroscopic debridement effective Antibiotic treatment
Thank You