Title: Knee Injuries<br/>Author: Michael Bond<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/78/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
<b>Some quick facts about Knee Injuries:</b></p>
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The most common cause of acute traumatic hemarthrosis of the knee is an anterior cruciate ligament tear.
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Most patients with an ACL injury will give a history of immediate pain, disability, knee swelling and audible pop.</li>
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The most common ligament injuried in the knee is the medial collateral ligament.</li>
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Patella dislocations
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Usually lateral dislocations and often spontaneous reduce.</li>
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Hyperextend the knee to make the reduction easier.</li>
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Dislocation of the knee:
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Anterior is the most common and usually secondary to hyperextension</li>
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Popliteal artery injury is commonly seen and must be looked for.<span style=""> </span>Easy bedside test is Ankle Brachial Index.</li>
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Normal pulses do NOT exclude a vascular injury.</li>
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Patients should be monitored for vascular complications and compartment syndrome.</li>
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Vascular injuries due to knee dislocation are associated with a high rate of amputation, which markedly increases if not repaired within 6-8 hours.</li>
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