Signs and Symptoms of Knee Injuries

Introduction Knee injuries are very common in athletics and everyday activity The structures around and within the joint receive daily stress LIKE WHAT?!

Objective Recognize signs and symptoms of frequent knee injuries Recognize the treatments that assist in the healing process Formalize a rehab protocol for knee injuries

What do we already know? What are the 4 main ligaments of the knee? ACL PCL LCL MCL What other structures of the knee could be injured? Menisci Patella Patella Tendon

Review What are the actions of the knee Flexion Extension Internal rotation of Tibia External Rotation of Tibia Flexion Extension

Medial Collateral Lig. Sprain Mechanism Direct hit to the Lateral side of knee VALGUS FORCE Very common injury S/S Grade 1 - A few torn fibers Pain, slight swelling, limp Grade 2 – Partially torn As above AND unable to put heel on ground, PROM, weakness Grade 3 – Ruptured Ligament As above AND complete loss of medial stability, severe pain to dull ache, loss of ROM

Lateral Collateral Lig. Sprain Mechanism Medial force with internal rotation of tibia VARUS FORCE Not as common S/S Grade 1 – Slight pain and tenderness over LCL Grade 2 – Slight laxity in ligament with stress test Grade 3 – Severe pain then dull, weakness, ROM

Posterior Cruciate Lig. Sprain Mechanism PCL is at most risk when knee is @ 90° Falling onto anterior knee and pushing tibia posteriorly S/S Athlete will report a “pop” in back of knee Tenderness with little swelling

Anterior Cruciate Lig. Sprain Mechanism The most serious knee injury External rotation of tibia with VALGUS force Blow to anterior knee S/S Pop followed by disability “Knee gave/gives out” Rapid Swelling

Meniscus Tears Mechanism S/S Weight bearing force with rotational force when knee is flexed or extended S/S Swelling in joint line Pain with squatting Knee locks out Loss of motion

Types of Meniscus Tears

Patella Injuries Chonrdomalacia Patella Tendonitis Patella Fracture & Dislocation

Treatment RICE, crutches if limping, Pulsed ultrasound with cryotherapy Knee immobilizer if severe, ice & stim Must rule out other ligament injuries

Rehab Rehab is always PROGRESSIVE!  Start small & work to harder exercises Quad Squeezes Straight leg raise Hamstring curl Mini-squat Stationary Bike Balance Etc… Day 1 Release day

Yummy injuries

Partner Assignment Google stress tests that are used to diagnose knee injuries. With a partner, choose one to practice & master an explanation of to demonstrate to me. Do your best to be able to talk about what structures the test tests  and what a positive or negative result would look or feel like.