Motor Learning Institute

Preview: Acute Knee Injury. What to know? What to do?

In this course “Acute knee injury” you learn all you need to know and do as a physiotherapist when a patient consults you with an acute knee injury. Participants gain relevant and in depth knowledge 1) Recognize disorders in the anatomy of the knee (structural damage), in relation to injury, 2) Make up a diagnosis of the injury as well as specifying disorders in functioning, according to the most recent recommendations, 3) Explicitly make decisions about physiotherapy treatment in patients with knee injuries, & 4) Initiate and shape multidisciplinary care together with other medical specialists, when needed

Besides all the information in the episode you will also be able to test your newly acquired knowledge in the form of a quiz.

Price:

€ 125,00

(incl. VAT)

What's in this course?

  • 1
    0.1 Course information

    In this course we guide you step-by-step how you can achieve a physiotherapy diagnosis of an acute knee injury. You will learn how and which anatomical structures might be involved based on injury mechanism. In addition you will test these structures in the clinical examination.

  • 3
    0.2 Learning goals

    Learn how knowledge of anatomy can help you to make a physiotherapy diagnosis of patients who come to you with an acute knee injury.

  • 5
    0.3 Preface

    In this course we specifically discuss the diagnosis and treatment of acute knee injuries and the consequences of this injury (disorders) on an anatomical and functional level.

  • 7
    0.4 Clinical case introduction

    A great way to learn is by using real case studies, but of course we changed the name of the patients ;)

  • 8
    1.0 Acute knee injury

    To understand different types of anatomical damage occurring with an acute knee injury, it is necessary to study the bony as well as the ligamentous, muscular and tendinous structures around the knee.

  • 9
    1.1 Diagnostics after knee trauma part 1

    Regarding the clinical presentation of an acute knee, it is relevant to know the signs and symptoms associated with possible anatomical damage.

  • 10
    1.2 Diagnostics after knee trauma part 2

    In this step you learn when additional examination is indicated.

  • 12
    2.1 The anatomical structures

    Introduction to the anatomy of the knee.

  • 13
    2.2 The different compartments

    It is helpful to view the knee in four bony compartments and its soft tissue.

  • 14
    2.3 Patella

    Some important facts on the anatomy and biomechanics of the patella.

  • 15
    2.4 The menisci

    The meniscus is a very important structure of the knee. Nowadays, it has been widely accepted that preserving -repairing when indicated - the meniscus is one of the most important goals in orthopedic surgery of the knee.

  • 16
    2.5 The cruciate ligaments part 1

    The two central stabilizers of the knee: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).

  • 18
    2.6 The cruciate ligaments part 2

    Now some more detailed information on the ACL and PCL.

  • 19
    2.7 Cartilage

    Learn in this step how cartilage injuries are classified.

  • 20
    2.8 The collateral ligaments

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  • 21
    2.9 Joint capsule

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  • 23
    2.10 The anterolateral ligament (ALL)

    The anterolateral ligament has received a lot of attention lately and here you learn why.

  • 24
    2.11 The clinical presentation part 1

    What is the difference between a hydrops, haemarthrosis and synovitis ? Why is this important to know for a physiotherapist ?

  • 25
    2.12 The clinical presentation part 2

    An acute knee injury can lead to various clinical presentations. For example the knee is locked, the patient can not activate the quadriceps and/or there is abnormal gait pattern.

  • 27
    3.0 History and screening

    After acute trauma, the presence of pain troubles an easy examination of the patient. Therefore at that time this exam is less reliable than when performed after 7-10 days. Differentiation between different forms of tissue damage is particularly difficult because not all anatomical structures can be tested individually. In a rotational provocation test of the meniscus, the capsular tape device is of course also addressed for its integrity. For example, a McMurray test can be painful in collateral ligament injury.

  • 28
    3.1 Clinical physical examination part 1

    We discuss: • inspection • swelling • structural research (part 2)

  • 29
    3.2 Clinical physical examination part 2

    We discuss: • inspection (part 1) • swelling (part 1) • structural research

  • 30
    3.3 Anterior cruciate ligament tests part 1

    We discuss: • Lachman test • Anterior drawer test

  • 31
    3.4 Anterior cruciate ligament tests part 2

    We discuss: • Pivot shift test • Lelli’s test • Clinical picture of an ACL injury

  • 33
    3.5 Posterior cruciate ligament tests

    We discuss: • The posterior drawer test (PDT) • The Gravity Sign

  • 34
    3.6 Meniscus tests part 1

    Meniscal injuries often present with swelling and pain that is located at the joint line level. Many meniscal provocation tests have been described. We discuss • Joint line tenderness • McMurray test

  • 35
    3.7 Meniscus tests part 2

    We discuss • Thessaly test • Overview some other tests • Clinical presentation of meniscal injury

  • 36
    3.8 Collateral stability tests

    The collateral ligament are very important stabilizers of the knee and injury is not always accurately diagnosed. Here you learn the basic tests you definitely need to perform.

  • 38
    3.9 Assessment of the posterolateral corner

    The posterolateral corner (PLC) has received increasing attention in orthopaedics over the past years. The capsular compactions and the recognizable ligamentary structures in the PLC also contribute to the stability of the knee joint. The lateral compartment is less stable (less form closure, more mobility) than the medial compartment. Damage to the integrity of the passive stabilizers can lead to significant complaints

  • 39
    3.10 Imaging diagnostics

    Some background information on MRI in relation to knee injury.

  • 41
    4.0 Pain

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  • 42
    4.1 Movement function

    Knee range of motion: just a refresher

  • 43
    5.0 Functional clinical examination

    Goal of a functional clinical examination is to obtain detailed information on disorders.

  • 44
    5.1 How to proceed in the case of structural damage

    If damage is present or suspected, the follow-up process will have to incorporate orthopaedic treatment options (what should be done, when and why) in the clinical decision-making process next to physical therapy treatment options (the same considerations apply).

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    5.2 Considerations in treatment

    In order to make good choices in a treatment process, it is important to always recognize and name the disorders. The consequences of the disorders are usually visible in the patient's movements, like for example during gait.

  • 46
    5.3 Treatment of a patient with isolated MCL injury

    In patients with an isolated medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury, adequate diagnosis and treatment in the early phase is decisive for further (successful) recovery.

  • 47
    5.4 Treatment of a patient with PCL injury

    In patients with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury, for many patients bracing appears to contribute to effective sustainable recovery. Due to the (partial) absence of the posterior cruciate ligament, the patient may experience “posterior sagging” in the ADL, a phenomenon in which the lower leg sinks posteriorly due to insufficiency of the PCL. It can lead to permanent PCL insufficiency and thus reduced recovery.

  • 49
    6.0 Evaluation

    It is good to now come back to the introductory case from the beginning of the course and review the answers you gave. Here you can compare your answer with the answer of the author of this course.

  • 50
    7.0 The last part

    You have now come to the end of the 'Acute Knee Injury' course.  Congratulations.

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    8.0 Sources and additional information

    Please allow yourself some time to absorb all the information from this course. Please come back to this course as much as needed to review specific topics like the anatomy of the knee ligaments and why, for example, clinical examination of the acute knee is preferably started with a Lachman test.