Pain or Limitation of Knee Movements

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL

Pain or limitation of knee movements is a common problem that can affect individuals of all ages.

These symptoms can result from a variety of conditions that affect the bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and other tissues of the knee. Proper evaluation and accurate diagnosis are crucial to determining the underlying cause and providing appropriate treatment.

Pathology	Symptoms and Clinical Signs	Suspected Diagnosis	Confirmed Diagnosis
Osteoarthritis	Chronic pain, morning stiffness, crepitus, deformity.	Medical history, physical examination, initial X-ray.	X-ray showing osteophytes and joint space narrowing.
Patellar Chondromalacia	Anterior knee pain, worsens when climbing stairs, clicking sounds.	Medical history, physical examination, patellar compression tests.	MRI showing changes in patellar cartilage.
Recurrent Patellar Subluxation	Acute pain, instability, visible patellar displacement.	Medical history, physical examination, patellar apprehension test.	MRI or CT scan showing patellar subluxation or dislocation.
Patellar Tendinopathy	Pain below the patella, worsens with activity.	Medical history, physical examination, patellar tendon resistance tests.	Ultrasound or MRI showing tendon degeneration.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome	Lateral knee pain, worsens with activity, especially running.	Medical history, physical examination, Noble and Ober tests.	Ultrasound or MRI showing thickening of the iliotibial band.
Arcuate Ligament Syndrome	Postero-lateral knee pain, instability, locking sensation.	Medical history, physical examination, arcuate ligament stability tests.	MRI showing damage or thickening of the ligament.
Hoffa Syndrome	Anterior knee pain, swelling, infrapatellar tenderness.	Medical history, physical examination, compression and passive knee extension tests.	MRI showing inflammation of Hoffa’s fat pad.
Acute Arthritis	Severe pain, swelling, warmth, redness, fever.	Medical history, physical examination, synovial fluid analysis.	Positive synovial fluid culture, increased leukocytes.
Partial Medial Collateral Ligament Tear	Medial knee pain, instability, swelling.	Medical history, physical examination, valgus stress test.	MRI showing partial tear of the medial collateral ligament.
Partial Lateral Collateral Ligament Tear	Lateral knee pain, instability, swelling.	Medical history, physical examination, varus stress test.	MRI showing partial tear of the lateral collateral ligament.
Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear	Pain, instability, rapid swelling after injury.	Medical history, physical examination, Lachman test.	MRI showing partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament.
Partial Posterior Cruciate Ligament Tear	Pain, instability, swelling, bruising at the back of the knee.	Medical history, physical examination, posterior drawer test.	MRI showing partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament.
Partial Meniscus Tear	Pain, swelling, knee locking, clicking sounds.	Medical history, physical examination, McMurray and Apley tests.	MRI showing partial meniscus tear.
Meniscal Cyst	Localised pain, palpable swelling, occasional locking.	Medical history, physical examination, palpation of cystic mass.	MRI showing the presence of a meniscal cyst.
Osteochondritis Dissecans	Pain, swelling, knee locking, crepitus.	Medical history, physical examination, initial X-ray.	MRI showing areas of subchondral bone necrosis.
Intra-articular Loose Bodies	Acute pain, knee locking, sensation of “something loose.”	Medical history, physical examination, initial X-ray.	MRI or arthroscopy showing loose bodies within the joint.
Bursitis	Pain, localised swelling, tenderness, warmth in the affected area.	Medical history, physical examination, exclusion of infections or inflammatory arthritis.	Ultrasound or MRI showing inflammation of the bursa.