Question

A 35-year-old patient sustained a knee injury while playing in a pick-up soccer game over the weekend. On Monday morning, she visits a PT outpatient clinic for further evaluation. She tells the therapist that the accident happened when one of the opponents landed on her knee and pushed it inward. During the evaluation of knee ROM, the patient experiences a popping sound during terminal knee extension movements. Based on the evaluation which of the following conditions is MOST likely present?

A. ACL injury
B. PCL injury
C. Medial Meniscal Injury
D. Mediopatellar Plica syndrome

Answer 1

The most likely condition present, based on the patient's reported mechanism of injury and symptoms, is a Medial Meniscal Injury, as it can occur due to a force causing the medial side of the knee to stretch or damage in response to a blow to the lateral knee.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the information provided, where a 35-year-old patient sustained a knee injury with an inward force applied to it and experiences a popping sound during terminal knee extension movements, the most likely condition present is C. Medial Meniscal Injury. This diagnosis is supported by the detail that a hit to the lateral side of the knee can cause damage to the medial meniscus, especially since it is attached to the tibial collateral ligament and can be injured when this ligament is stretched or damaged. The medial meniscus is significantly more susceptible to injury compared to the lateral meniscus.

An ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury often results from a forceful blow to the anterior knee or when an athlete makes a sudden change of direction. A PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) injury is generally caused by a posterior force applied to the tibia when the knee is flexed. Finally, the Mediopatellar Plica Syndrome is not consistent with the mechanism of injury described and is commonly related to overuse rather than acute trauma.