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Knee injury (site of pain and possible cause of injury)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • if medial knee pain
    • if an acute knee injury causes include:
      • medial meniscus injury, articular cartilage injury of medial compartment, or medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury

    • if a chronic injury then causes include:
      • medial compartment arthritis, pes anserine bursitis, and a degenerative medial meniscal tear

  • if lateral knee pain
    • if an acute knee injury then causes include:
      • lateral meniscus tear, lateral compartment articular cartilage injury, or posterolateral corner injury (to include the fibular collateral ligament)

    • if a chronic knee injury then causes include:
      • lateral compartment arthritis, biceps bursitis, and a degenerative lateral meniscus tear

  • if anterior knee pain
    • if an acute injury then causes include:
      • patellar subluxation or dislocation and patellar or trochlear groove chondral injuries
      • patellar tendon rupture should be considered if patient aged of 30 to 45 years old
      • quadriceps rupture is more likely in the age range of 45 to 60 years old

    • if chronic injury then causes include:
      • patellofemoral joint chondromalacia (arthritis) and patellar tendonitis

  • if posterior knee pain
    • if acute injury then causes include:
      • posterior capsule injuries, posterior cruciate ligament injury, or posterior horn meniscal tears
    • if chronic injury then causes include:
      • posterior horn meniscal tears or a Baker's (popliteal) cyst

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