What Is the Best Way to Evaluate an Acute Traumatic Knee Injury?
From the CLINICAL INQUIRIES Family Physicians Inquiries Network Matthew L. Silvis, MD, C. Randall Clinch, DO, MS, What is the best way and Janine S. Tillet, MSLS Wake Forest University, to evaluate an acute Winston-Salem, NC traumatic knee injury? Evidence-based answer Use the Ottawa Knee Rules. When there or ligamentous injury (SOR: C, based on is a possibility of fracture, they can guide studies of intermediate outcomes). the use of radiography in adults who Sonographic examination of a present with isolated knee pain. However, traumatized knee can accurately detect information on use of these rules in the internal knee derangement (SOR: C, pediatric population is limited (strength based on studies of intermediate of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on outcomes). Magnetic resonance imaging systematic review of high-quality studies (MRI) of the knee is the noninvasive and a validated clinical decision rule). standard for diagnosing internal knee Specific physical examination maneuvers derangement, and it is useful for both adult (such as the Lachman and McMurray tests) and pediatric patients (SOR: C, based on FAST TRACK may be helpful when assessing for meniscal studies of intermediate outcomes). Employ the Clinical commentary Ottawa Knee Rules Ottawa rules for ankles—yes, test, Drawer sign, and McMurray test to determine but they’re good for knees, too are useful in diagnosing the presence of whether plain The evidence presented here suggests internal ligamentous injuries without MRI, x-rays are needed a number of practical and useful and an ultrasound can help to detect knee to rule out fracture approaches for the evaluation of acute effusion when it is not clinically obvious.
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