Knee exam
Observation (supine)
[edit | edit source]- Ecchymosis (bruise)? Surgical scars?
- Erythema or overlying rash/celulitis
- Knee resting position
- Knee effusion with obscured landmarks
- Quadriceps muscle atrophy
Observation (standing)
[edit | edit source]- Balanced weight on each leg
- Genu varum or genu valgum deformity
- Gait analysis
- Hip, knee and ankle alignment
- Presence of Baker cysts (inspect popliteal fossa with patient standing)
Palpation
[edit | edit source]- Temperature
- Joint line tenderness
- Bony structures
- Bursae and tendons
Range of motion
[edit | edit source]- Normal flexion = 130 degrees
- look for pain and crepitus
- do active vs passive ROM
- Normal extension = 10 degrees above horizontal
Knee effusion tests
[edit | edit source]- patellar ballotment
- knee milking
- swipe test/bulge sign
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Stability Tests
[edit | edit source]- Lachman's Test (most sensitive)
- Anterior drawer sign
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tests
[edit | edit source]- Posterior drawer test
- PCL sag test
Collateral ligament evalutation
[edit | edit source]- Knee valgus stress test (Medial collateral ligament)
- Knee varus stress test (Lateral colalteral ligament)
Meniscus Evaluation
[edit | edit source]- McMurrays Test (external rotation and extension from full knee flexion for medial meniscal tear, internal rotation and extension for lateral mensicusus)
- Apley's compression test (grind home test)