(Week 1)Patient Information
Name: Douglas Bell
Age: 57 years
Gender: Male
Chief Complaint: Acute left knee pain for 2 days
Setting: Primary care clinic
Case OverviewThis case focuses on the evaluation of a 57-year-
old male presenting with acute left knee pain of 2 days’ duration.
The objectives are to guide learners through obtaining a
comprehensive history, performing a targeted physical exam,
generating a differential diagnosis, ordering appropriate
diagnostic tests, and formulating an evidence-based
management plan. The case emphasizes distinguishing traumatic
from non-traumatic causes of knee pain, identifying red flags,
and addressing patient concerns to optimize outcomes.
, Case DetailsHistory of Present Illness (HPI)Douglas Bell, a 57-
year-old male, presents to the primary care clinic with a 2-day
history of acute left knee pain. He describes the pain as follows:
Onset: Sudden, 2 days ago, while playing recreational
basketball with friends.
Mechanism: Reports twisting his left knee during a pivot
maneuver, followed by immediate pain. No direct trauma or
fall.
Severity: 6/10 at rest, 8/10 with weight-bearing or
movement.
Quality: Sharp, localized to the medial aspect of the left
knee.
Aggravating Factors: Walking, climbing stairs, or bending
the knee.