Common knee injuries,diagnosis and management

The knee is a frequently injured joint, and the incidence of injury is increasing. Young adults are most likely to injure their knee through sports participation, and this can result in long-term debility without appropriate early and deferred management. A detailed history and clinical examination, supplemented with radiographic evaluation of the joint and magnetic resonance imaging, assist in the diagnosis and can guide acute and definitive management. Early clinical assessment by an appropriately trained clinician is recommended. Fractures should be managed through orthopaedic trauma services, and soft tissue injuries are often best triaged into specialist acute knee clinics. Early management includes the use of plaster casts, splints or braces according to the injury pattern, and the principles or rest, ice, compression and elevation are followed. Early functional motion should be instituted when safe to do so to prevent arthrofibrosis and secondary complications. Fractures, including osteochondral lesions are typically best dealt with acutely, along with disruptions of the extensor mechanism and displaced meniscal tears causing locking. Non-acute surgical management of other soft tissue injuries is generally preferred, allowing the joint to recover before additional operative insult. Appropriate early intervention by specialist knee services is associated with improved long-term outcomes.