Physical examination of the knee.

Abstract

Knee injuries are common, and many primary providers are uncomfortable with the clinical diagnosis of these conditions. The following article emphasizes the importance of obtaining a good history from the patient and accurately determining the mechanism of injury to narrow the diagnostic possibilities. It briefly reviews some pertinent points of anatomy to facilitate the physical examination and to understand the rationale of some clinical tests. A brief description of the most useful clinical tests in an acute situation also is given.