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Knee injury (site of stress on joint and possible cause)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

stress on the joint - was there a varus or valgus stress or rotational force acting through the knee at the time of injury?

  • non-contact twisting injuries

    • twisting injury of extended knee
      • causes include patellar subluxation or dislocation
        • particularly the case in patients with patella alta where the patella is abnormally high in relation to the femur
          • in this situation the patella is not well engaged in the trochlear groove and is at an increased risk for injury

    • twisting injury of flexed knee
      • causes include meniscus or ACL tear

  • blow to the lateral aspect of knee (valgus injury)
    • would result in sudden stretching of medial-sided knee structures
      • superficial medial collateral ligament most at risk for injury

  • blow to the medial aspect of knee (varus injury)
    • increases stress on the outside of the knee
      • possible posterolateral corner injury

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