title: [Physical examination of the knee after trauma].
abstract: The practice guideline 'Traumatic knee complaints' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners is aimed at differentiating between intra-articular and extra-articular lesions. The diagnosis is based mainly on a combination of patient history and a limited physical examination of the knee. Specific tests for hydrarthrosis, injuries to the collateral or cruciate ligaments, and meniscal pathology have only a low diagnostic accuracy. Few reliable studies have been conducted into the diagnostic value of specific tests; most studies employed poor methodology, had considerable inter-observer variation and produced widely heterogenous results. Inspection of the knee can provide information regarding the presence of fluids in the knee (hydrarthrosis or haemarthrosis). A restricted active range of movement in flexion and extension may indicate osteoarthritis or arthritis.
authors: Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, afd. Revalidatiegeneeskunde, Groningen, The Netherlands. g.m.rommers@rev.umcg.nl
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Rommers
authors: Tjeerd  O H
authors: T
authors: de Jongh
authors: Corry K
authors: CK
authors: van der Sluis
authors: Rienk
authors: R
authors: Dekker
mesh_terms: D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries; D015588:Observer Variation; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*