Toolbox
- Clark Tools
- Multnomah Tools
- BME-Limitation of Liability Program
- Cultural Competency Tools
- Labs & Imaging - By Location
- Notice of Privacy Practices
- Tools for Physicians & Staff
- Medical Referral Guidelines - For Providers
- Allergy-Immunology
- Audiology-Hearing Loss
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Ear, Nose, and Throat
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- General Surgery
- Limb Preservation
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- OB-GYN
- Ophthalmology
- Oral and Maxillofacial
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Infectious Disease
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Plastic Surgery
- Podiatry
- Pulmonology - Adult
- Radiology-Mammography
- Rheumatology
- Urology
- Vascular Surgery
- Wound Care (non-healing)
- Washington Tools
- Media Resources
- Pharmacy Program
- Board Resources
Traumatic Knee Pain
Diagnosis/Definition
Knee pain, instability or loss of motion related to a specific traumatic event.
Initial Diagnosis and Management
- History (special attention to mechanism of injury) and physical examination.
- Radiographs to rule out fractures.
- Obvious fracture, instability, or motor disruption: refer (see below).
- Initial exam may be difficult due to pain and/or significant effusion.
- In these cases, treat w/ice and compression for 4-14 days and reassess.
Ongoing Management and Objectives
- Repeat examination at 4 to 14 days for more definitive physical evaluation.
- Medial or lateral collateral ligament strains (w/o instability): treat with bracing, activity limitations and appropriate knee rehabilitation exercises. Treat for 6-8 weeks.
- MRI if effusion or other symptoms persist beyond 6-8 weeks.
Indications for Specialty Care Referral
Patients with the following should be referred to Orthopedics:
Any patient with obvious varus or valgus, or anterior or posterior drawer instability.
All fractures about the knee.
Any mechanical disruption.
Refer to Physical Therapy for above mentioned acute and rehabilitation exercises.
Criteria for Return to Primary Care
Patients may be returned to Primary Care following evaluation, with suggestions for ongoing management.
Patients will be returned to Primary Care following rehabilitation and stabilization of their orthopedic condition if they require surgical intervention. In such cases, there may be a necessity for periodic orthopedic evaluation.
