Knee and Lower Leg Injuries: ACL/PCL Tears, Meniscal Injuries, Collateral Ligament Sprains, Patellar Tendonitis, IT Band Syndrome, Patellofemoral Pain, Plica Syndrome, Shin Splints, Bursitis, Compartment Syndrome – Clinical Presentation, Exam, Imaging, an

Knee and Lower Leg Injuries: ACL/PCL Tears, Meniscal Injuries, Collateral Ligament Sprains, Patellar Tendonitis, IT Band Syndrome, Patellofemoral Pain, Plica Syndrome, Shin Splints, Bursitis, Compartment Syndrome – Clinical Presentation, Exam, Imaging, and Treatment Verified Questions Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales LATEST UPDATED 2026 range of motion of the knee Flexion 130 Extension 0 Exam of Ligamentous Stability: Lachman's Test flex the knee to 15 degrees and pull the tibia forward assessing for laxity - testing the ACL ** Beware of PCL tear which can give false positive** What tests assess ACL tear? Lachman's test anterior drawer test pivot shift test Exam of Ligamentous Stability: Pivot Shift Test internal rotation of the ankle combined with medial force to assess the stability of the ACL Knee reduces b/c IT band changes from an extensor to a flexor moment Exam of Menisical Test: McMurry Test Exam of Menisical Test: Thessaly Test J sign lateral patellar deviation during knee extension ACL tear Hyperextension injury (stops tibia from sliding anterior on femur) - will tear during complex rotational force, typically non contact Clinical: - pain, popping sound at joint, swelling - (+) Lachman test - (+) anterior drawer What meniscus tears with acute ACL tear? lateral meniscus What meniscus tears with chronic ACL tear? medial meniscus Multiple Ligament Injury What needs to be assessed if a PT completely dislocates their knee? need to check ABI for possible popliteal artery injury - vascular consult immediately What fracture is often associated with an ACL tear? Segond fracture - avulsion fracture at the tibial eminence ACL tear treatment RICE, ROM, hinged knee brace - conservative: older, less active patients - reconstruction: younger, active pts, need FROM before surgery **start rehab immediately PCL tear Hyperflexion injury (stops tibia from sliding posterior on femur) - direct anterior to posterior blow on the tibia (EX: dashboard injury, fall onto flexed knee) Clinical: - effusion, decreased ROM - pain, swelling - (+) posterior drawer test - (+) posterior sag sign Treatment: Rehab, bracing, NSAIDs hyperflexion injury = ________ tear hyperextension injury = ______ tear hyperflexion injury = PCL tear hyperextension injury = ACL tear Knee Bursitis Qstem: Wrestler, person who prays, someone who intsalls flooring inflammation of the bursae of the knee - usually pes anserine and prepatellar bursitis Clinical: - pain/swelling over the affected area - redness/warmth = septic **if infection is suspected then ASPIRATE Knee Bursitis Treatment Asepctic - NSAIDs, ice, activity modification - steroid injections - Septic: - If mild, treat antibiotics What two bursa are commonly involved in knee bursitis? pes anserine - medial aspect of the knee (SGT) prepatellar - superficial to the patella - chronic irritation from kneeling on ant. knee (praying, wrestling, floor installation) M