Steps and methods of knee joint examination

The knee joint is a relatively important joint in the human body. It is an important weight-bearing joint when walking. Therefore, if you use improper force or suffer from chronic strain, it may cause injury to the knee joint. At this time, you should go to the hospital for examination in time. Only through a good examination can the cause of the disease be determined and good treatment can be carried out. Let's take a look at this aspect.

Knee joint examination steps and methods

1. Relevant history of trauma. Cruciate ligament injury cannot be established without a history of trauma. 2. Floating patella test to check whether there is blood or fluid accumulation in the joint. Because 70% of traumatic joint effusions may be caused by anterior cruciate ligament injury, posterior cruciate ligament injury, and car accidents are relatively more common. 3. Drawer test. The anterior and posterior drawer test is a targeted physical examination to check for anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injuries. But there are also false positives. 4. Rule out joint fractures. 5. Confirmed by MR.

1. Knee joint force line

Anatomical axis of the knee (FTA angle): 5°-7° valgus

Mechanical axis of the knee joint: 0°

Method: Take off your shoes and stand on the ground, keep the ankle and knee joints as close together as possible, and understand the axis of the knee joint. Under normal circumstances, the knee joints can be brought together and there should be a 4-6cm distance between the ankles.

The knees cannot close together: genu varum

Wide Ankle Joint Spacing: Knee Valgum

significance

In-knee varus is often accompanied by medial knee pain, while valgus knee is often accompanied by lateral knee pain, indicating medial or lateral tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.

In varus knee pain on the outside of the knee often indicates damage to the lateral meniscus of the knee. Conversely, in valgus knee pain on the inside of the knee often means damage to the medial meniscus of the knee.

2. Patella-related examination

1. Joint effusion:

Third degree knee effusion (+++) - also known as the floating patella sign: apply pressure to the suprapatellar bursa with one hand and tap the patella backwards with the other hand. If there is a collision feeling between the patella and femur, it is positive. At this time, there is about 60ml-80ml of fluid in the joint.

Grade II knee effusion (++): When the floating patella sign is negative, place the thumb and index finger of one hand on the "knee hole" on both sides of the patellar ligament, and apply pressure to the suprapatellar bursa with the other hand. If the thumb and index finger open due to the pressure within the joint, it is positive. At this time, the joint effusion is 30ml-40ml, which is not enough to float the patella.

First degree knee effusion (+): When the second degree knee joint examination is negative, use a horizontal finger to apply pressure along the lateral patellar support band, and the index finger of the other hand to check the fluid transmission or fluctuation feeling at the medial patellar support band. If there is such a feeling, it is positive.

significance

Joint effusion caused by acute trauma: hemarthrosis

Joint effusion caused by old injury: damage to the tissue structure within the joint has not been repaired

Joint effusion without obvious traumatic cause: caused by irritation of the synovium by joint degeneration or the reflection of systemic diseases in the joint, such as rheumatic fever

2. Patellofemoral arthritis

The patient lies supine and is asked to slowly hyperflex the knee several times. The examiner places his hand on the patella and touches the patella when the patient flexes and extends it. Pain accompanied by crepitus is positive.

The above is the method of physical examination of the knee joint. I hope it will be helpful to everyone. What we need to pay attention to in our lives is our physical health. Go to the hospital regularly for check-ups and treatment. Early treatment is helpful to our health. No matter which part or organ of the body, it is very important to our body.