Perfect example of a knee examination for OSCE/ISCE station for medical students, or in clinical practice for junior doctors. Step-by-step guide on each part of the examination, including special tests.
Knee Examination o Anterior draw = thumbs on patella and
pull towards
o Posterior draw = thumbs on tibial
1. Wash hands tuberosity, push away
2. Introduce - Menisci test = McMurray’s
3. Explain and gain consent o Can be very painful so offer this to
4. Correct position – standing upright to begin examiner
5. Exposure – wearing shorts/underwear o Stabilise femur and try and rotate
lower leg
Look
Observe the patient from the front, back and side What next?
- Joint deformity? - Neurovascular status
o Genu valgus = knock kneed - Joint above + below
o Genu varus = bow-legged - X-ray/MRI
- Scars? - Functional assessment
- Swelling – inflammation, infection, gout?
o Inflammation = trauma; septic arthritis
- Erythema
- Muscle wasting
- Bruising?
- Do they have any walking aids?
Feel
Ask the patient to lie down on a bed
Ask the patient if they have any pain
- Temperature changes above/on/below knee
- Run back of fingers over joint lines, muscle bulk
and ligaments/tendons
- Patella tap – test for fluid/swelling
- Bulge test – firm motion, around patella,
moving any potential fluid, will see bulge if +
- Grab knee and feel popliteal fossa with fingers
Move
Active and passive movements of flexing knee towards
chest and rotating femur outwards
Check for:
- Normal range of movement, both sides same
- Hyperextension
- Extensor lag
- Crepitus – Velcro/crackling feeling
Special Tests
- Collateral ligaments; hand on knee and ankle,
push leg
- Cruciate ligaments: 90degrees, sit on foot
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller PassMedSchool. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £2.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
