Case Manager's Corner

Mechanism of Injury:

Direct blow to the lateral side of the knee with the foot planted or in combination with other ligament or cartilage injuries.

Subjective Symptoms:

Painful weight-bearing, medial knee tenderness, and a sense of instability when severe.

Objective Signs:

Medial femoral condyle, joint line or tibial condyle tenderness. Pain with valgus stress testing at 0 to 30 degrees of knee flexion with joint line opening with or without a firm endpoint depending on severity of tear.

Natural History:

Heals with non-operative treatment with minimal to no residual impairment.

Nonsurgical:

Depending on severity, may require protected weight-bearing with crutches, a hinged-knee immobilizer, inflammation control, and progressive physical therapy emphasizing range of motion and strength.

Surgical:

2 to 12 weeks depending on severity.

Sedentary job with rapid reductions in restrictions.