Indications for MRI Scanning MRI scans are indicated for patients with meniscal tears, patients with difficulty diagnosing ACL or ligamentous injury of the knee and for patients with traumatic chondral injuries. MRI is also indicated for patients with unexplained pain that do not fit any diagnostic categories. MRI scans should be restricted to patients with…
This group is patients where the categorisation is not clear or where the referring doctor wishes to consider early referral to MSCAT without dwelling on specific investigations or assessment. There are many additional causes of knee problems that may not fit into the above categories. These include the following: Problem joint replacement patients: need trial…
Diagnosis Patients complain of swollen and inflamed joints with no obvious trauma. There may be single or multiple joint involvements with or without system symptoms. There may be a history of flare-ups. There are multiple causes for inflammatory knee arthritis and management will depend on the diagnosis, usually initiated by blood test investigations including CRP,…
Description and Diagnosis In this group patients may complain of a recent injury or mechanical symptoms resulting in descriptions of giving way, clicking, catching or locking. There is usually a history of a recent soft tissue injury. There is usually no obvious osteoarthritis. They may have swelling associated with injury or have a history of…
Description and Diagnosis Patients complain of pain over the front of their knee with symptoms worse on sitting or standing, they are generally young and do not have clear osteoarthritis. There may be a history of patella dislocation. There are multiple causes generally grouped into three diagnoses: • Objected patella instability: history of true dislocation…
Description and scenario Patient presenting with non-mechanical pain, intermittent or permanent swelling in the knee, possible deformity and symptoms related to activity. Investigations Main appropriate investigation is plain x-ray with 3 views: • PA 30º weight bearing view• Lateral at 30 – 45º flexion • Skyline view single knee at 30 – 45º flexionCategory and…
Knee problems have been divided into five simple overall groups: Osteoarthritis Anterior knee painRecent injury or mechanical symptoms Inflammatory arthritisNone of the above or don’t know. For each type of problem 3 categories are allocated. Category 1 is the basic category with relatively minor symptoms that should be suitable for treatment with local core physiotherapy….
The pathway includes the following general overall principles. It is accepted that not all patients with a knee problem require to be seen in secondary care to determine management. With appropriate specified indications some patients can be directed to initial treatment with options such as podiatry, physiotherapy and orthotics. At any time the pathway can…
A synopsis of diagnosis and management – Introduction The patello femoral compartment of the knee is a common source of pain and symptoms in the knee. The aim of this section is to provide a simple guide and outline for the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with anterior knee pain. In general pain can…
Introduction The meniscus, or footballer’s cartilage, is the protective shim between the femur and tibia. It is classically injured in a weight bearing twisting type mechanism. The main function of the meniscus is to protect the articulating surfaces of the bone by distributing the load across the joint. The lateral meniscus is the most important…
