Assessment of knee injury

Knee injuries are among the most reported sports injuries.[1]Hansom D, Sutherland A. Injury prevention strategies in skiers and snowboarders. Curr Sports Med Rep. May-Jun 2010;9(3):169-75. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20463501?tool=bestpractice.com [2]Hauret KG, Jones BH, Bullock SH, et al. Musculoskeletal injuries: description of an under-recognized injury problem among military personnel. Am J Prev Med. 2010 Jan;38(1 suppl):S61-70. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20117601?tool=bestpractice.com [3]Engebretsen L, Steffen K, Alonso JM, et al. Sports injuries and illnesses during the Winter Olympic Games 2010. Br J Sports Med. 2010 Sep;44(11):772-80. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20820057?tool=bestpractice.com A 2017 study reported that the knee is the third most common site of ligamentous injuries.[4]Nabian MH, Zadegan SA, Zanjani LO, et al. Epidemiology of joint dislocations and ligamentous/tendinous injuries among 2,700 Patients: five-year trend of a tertiary center in Iran. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2017 Nov;5(6):426-34. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29299498?tool=bestpractice.com Many can be treated conservatively with rest, ice, immobilisation, and physiotherapy. The aim of the initial assessment is to identify any neurological or vascular compromise, which could require urgent surgery, then to establish the likely nature of the injury through a focused history and examination.

Acute knee injuries

By most definitions, acute knee injuries are defined as being diagnosed within the first 30 to 42 days of the injury or onset of symptoms.

Chronic knee injuries

Chronic knee injuries are due to residual old trauma or surgery, existing degenerative diseases, or previous conditions not resolved within the first 30 to 42 days after the onset.