Summary
Differentials
Common
- Patellofemoral joint injuries
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury and associated valgus instability
- Posterolateral knee injury and associated varus instability
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury
- Meniscal tear
- Open fracture
- Referred pain to knee
Uncommon
- Patella fracture
- Femoral condyle fracture
- Tibial plateau fracture
- Dislocation
- Infection
Contributors
Authors
Robert F. LaPrade, MD, PhD
Complex Knee & Sports Medicine Surgery
Twin Cities Orthopedics
4010 West 65th Street
Edina, MN
Disclosures
RFL is a consultant for and receives royalties from Ossur and Smith & Nephew. RFL has also received royalties from Elsevier. RFL has received research grants from AANA, AOSSM, Arthrex, Ossur, and Smith & Nephew.
Chad J. Griffith, MD
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Tria Orthopedic Center
Woodbury, MN
Disclosures
CJG declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Jason M. Scopp, MD
Director
Joint Preservation Center at Peninsula Orthopedic Associates
Salisbury, MD
Disclosures
JMS declares that he has no competing interests.
Jung-Ro Yoon, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Director
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Seoul Veterans Hospital
Seoul
South Korea
Disclosures
JRY declares that she has no competing interests.
Peer reviewer acknowledgements
BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.
Disclosures
Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.
References
Key articles
Brophy RH, Best MJ; Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Acute Meniscal Pathology Work Group. Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons clinical practice guideline summary: management of acute isolated meniscal pathology. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2025 Jun 20;33(13):e724-30.Full text Abstract
Expert Panel on Musculoskeletal Imaging, Taljanovic MS, Chang EY, et al. ACR appropriateness criteria® acute trauma to the knee. J Am Coll Radiol. 2020 May;17(5s):S12-25.Full text Abstract
Reference articles
A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
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