Triage: Knee injury
History of Present Illness: A pleasant man in his mid-50’s presents to the hospital after an accident at work where heavy metal containers fell onto his head, chest and both legs. He complains of pain in multiple areas, but his right knee and left ankle are the worst.
Vital Signs: HR 88, BP 128/77, RR 26, pulse ox 94%
Physical Exam: Alert. Head, rib, right knee and left ankle pain and tenderness
Initial Diagnostic Testing:
- Imaging: we are focusing on just the right knee for this case
What is the most likely knee injury?
- A) ACL tear
- B) Patellar tendon tear
- C) MCL tear
- D) Tibial plateau fx
- E) Meniscus tear
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ANSWER:
What is the most likely knee injury?
- A) ACL tear
- B) Patellar tendon tear – CORRECT: there is patella alta and some infrapatellar bone fragments (partially obscured by artifact)
- C) MCL tear
- D) Tibial plateau fx
- E) Meniscus tear
1-Minute Consult on this topic: Click HERE and scroll down
CASE CONCLUSION: Also had an ankle fracture on the other side. Admitted for repair of both