Management of suspected ligament injury of the knee will depend upon the degree and severity of injury and associated disability and laxity. Generally consider an Orthopaedic referral for high grade injury, laxity and suspected cruciate and or collateral ligament tear. For lower grade injuries or where there is no significant laxity, a conservative management approach within primary/community care supported with a MSK Physiotherapy referral would be appropriate initially.
Signs
- A definite mechanism of injury
- Pain
- Rapid onset of swelling (cruciate)
- Feeling of looseness or giving way
Tests
- Positive laxity +/- pain during ligament testing
- Difficult squatting
- X-ray to exclude any #
Management
- High grade injury, laxity and suspected cruciate and or collateral ligament tear refer orthopaedics
- Lower grade injuries or where there is no significant laxity, a conservative management approach within primary/community care supported with a MSK Physiotherapy referral would be appropriate initially.
