1. Signs and Symptoms of Knee Injuries

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Types of Meniscus Tears

12. Patella Injuries Chonrdomalacia Patella Tendonitis
Patella Fracture & Dislocation

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

14. 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

15. Yummy injuries

18. 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.