title: Knee instability in patients with traumatic knee disorders: a cohort study in primary care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a lack of knowledge about the course of knee instability in patients with traumatic knee disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the course of traumatic knee instability during 1-year follow-up and to observe the treatment of knee instability by GPs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 134) aged 18-65 years with traumatic knee disorders who consulted their GP within 5 weeks after trauma were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Data were collected at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and physical examination of the knee were performed at baseline and at 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, 28% of the 134 patients had no knee instability, 17% reported knee instability (according Lysholm score), 31% tested positive on knee instability (according Lachman test) and 24% both self-reported and tested positive on instability of the knee. At baseline and at 1-year follow-up, no clear differences between MRI findings, treatment and course of the defined groups of knee instability were found. At 1-year follow-up, patients with both self-reported and tested positive seemed to have worse outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During 1-year follow-up, it was unclear if there were differences regarding course, treatment and MRI findings of the knee between no instability and the three defined knee instability groups. Statistical power was lacking in the comparisons made and therefore studies with more patients are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and p.luijsterburg@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Pim A J
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Luijsterburg
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and.
authors.forename: Harry P A
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Wagemakers
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and.
authors.forename: Marlous
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kastelein
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam.
authors.forename: Jan A N
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Verhaar
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht and.
authors.forename: Ingrid M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Koster
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Edwin H G
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and.
authors.forename: Bart W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Koes
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Department of Orthopaedics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam.
authors.forename: Sita M A
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bierma-Zeinstra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cohort study; MRI; general practice; musculoskeletal disorder; primary care; traumatic knee disorders.