Summary Knee Clinical Examination

Knee Examination o Anterior draw = thumbs on patella and
pull towards
o Posterior draw = thumbs on tibial
1. Wash hands tuberosity, push away
2. Introduce - Menisci test = McMurray’s
3. Explain and gain consent o Can be very painful so offer this to
4. Correct position – standing upright to begin examiner
5. Exposure – wearing shorts/underwear o Stabilise femur and try and rotate
lower leg
Look

Observe the patient from the front, back and side What next?
- Joint deformity? - Neurovascular status
o Genu valgus = knock kneed - Joint above + below
o Genu varus = bow-legged - X-ray/MRI
- Scars? - Functional assessment
- Swelling – inflammation, infection, gout?
o Inflammation = trauma; septic arthritis
- Erythema
- Muscle wasting
- Bruising?
- Do they have any walking aids?



Feel

Ask the patient to lie down on a bed
Ask the patient if they have any pain

- Temperature changes above/on/below knee
- Run back of fingers over joint lines, muscle bulk
and ligaments/tendons
- Patella tap – test for fluid/swelling
- Bulge test – firm motion, around patella,
moving any potential fluid, will see bulge if +
- Grab knee and feel popliteal fossa with fingers


Move
Active and passive movements of flexing knee towards
chest and rotating femur outwards
Check for:
- Normal range of movement, both sides same
- Hyperextension
- Extensor lag
- Crepitus – Velcro/crackling feeling


Special Tests

- Collateral ligaments; hand on knee and ankle,
push leg
- Cruciate ligaments: 90degrees, sit on foot