Identifying structural hip and knee problems. Patient age, history, and limited examination may be all that's needed.
A likely identification of a given structural disorder of the hip or knee can be suggested by the patient's age. In the hip, developmental dysplasia is usually found in infants, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in children of 4 to 10 years, slipped capital femoral epiphysis in somewhat older children, osteonecrosis in young to middle-aged adults, and degenerative joint disease and hip fracture in older adults. In the knee, Blount's disease is usually found in children aged 3 to 8, patellofemoral disease during the teens and early 20s, meniscal tears from the early teens through the mid-50s, ligament injuries from the teens to the 40s, and osteoarthritis throughout adulthood. With relatively little additional information, a useful diagnosis can be made so appropriate therapy can be started or referral made.
Skinner
H B
HB
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, USA. hskinner@uci.edu
Scherger
J E
JE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007719:Knee Joint; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors