Knee

RefHelp - NHS Ayrshire and Arran
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Serious knee pathologies

  • Loosening/ infection knee arthroplasty
  • Polpiteal aneurysm
  • Acute locked knee
  • Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SPONK)
  • Osteosarcoma.

Special questions:-

  • Sudden onset of pain and inability to weight bear
  • Systemically unwell
  • Locked/ locking knee
  • Giving way
  • Hot red joint
  • Immediate swelling post injury (haemoarthrosis)
  • Subjective finding don’t fit objective findings
  • Clunking/ feels arthroplasty moving
  • Loud pop/ snap heard when injured
  • Mass/ joint deformity.

Knee pathway

Acute locked knee

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture

Anterior knee pain - patellofemoral pain

Loosening/ infection knee arthroplasty

Meniscal tear

Osteoarthritis

Osteosarcoma

Patellar tendinosis

Popliteal aneurysm

Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SPONK)

Editorial Information

Next review date: 01/10/2027

Author(s): Reid J.

Version: 01.0

Reviewer name(s): Reid J, Tanagho A.