Knee Assessment
Physiotherapy · Subjective & Objective Examination
KNEE
RightLeft
RightLeftBilat
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Presentation & Red Flags
Red flags — Ottawa Knee Rules
Imaging indicated if any of:
No red flagsIsolated pain on palpation — patellaIsolated pain on palpation — head of fibulaInability to stand on the leg immediately after the traumaInability to flex > 90°
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History
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Pain
Mark pain location, type & radiation
No pain
Worst
0
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Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night
Plot key events along the line — injury, flare-ups, treatments, return to activity, milestones.
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Lifestyle & Context
Sleep
Diet
Smoking
Alcohol
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Clinical Reasoning Framework
Characterise the presentation — circle / annotate the relevant descriptors on each strip.
Diagnosis
Stage of disorder
Pain features
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Flags & Whole-Person Considerations
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Goals
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Objective — Knee
Range of motion (A = Active P = Passive — note both if different)
| Movement | Right | Left | Norm / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexion | |||
| Extension | |||
| Varus | |||
| Valgus | |||
| External rotation | |||
| Internal rotation |
Strength record per movement
| Load (kg) | |
| Movement | |
| Patient position | |
| Angle / joint | |
| Result | |
| Laterality |
Neurovascular screen
Notes
Special tests
| Special test | Right | Left | Finding / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lachman test / Anterior drawer ACL | |||
| Noble's test ITB | |||
| Renne's test ITB | |||
| Hoffa's test fat pad | |||
| Thessaly test meniscus | |||
| McMurray test meniscus |
Palpation
Tick tender / relevant structures
PatellaHead of fibulaJoint line — medialJoint line — lateralPatellar tendonMCL / LCLPes anserinus
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Functional Assessment
Static — loaded tasks
| Task | Right | Left | Observation / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squat | |||
| Split squat | |||
| Bridge — bilateral | |||
| Bridge — unilateral | |||
| Hip thrust | |||
| Lateral lunges | |||
| Weight-bearing lunge test (+++) | |||
| Calf raise | |||
| Cyclist wall | |||
| Others |
Dynamic — balance
| Task | Right | Left | Observation / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hold step up | |||
| Side step up | |||
| Unilateral RDL | |||
| Single leg stance | Eyes open Eyes closed | Eyes open Eyes closed | |
| Aeroplane | |||
| Others |
Jump / plyometric
| Task | Right | Left | Observation / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jump — bilateral | |||
| Jump — unilateral | |||
| Side hop test | |||
| Figure-of-eight hop | |||
| Triple jump | |||
| Klatt test | |||
| Others |
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Adjacent Joints
Ankle
Knee-to-wall dorsiflexion test · ROM active & passive · Biomechanics (pronation, flat / high arch)
Hip
Thomas · 90/90 · Neutral-pelvis standing extension · Stability in the three planes
Back
Mobility · Stability
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Others
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Retest
| Date | Test / measure | Result (R / L) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Questionnaires
Patient-reported outcome measures — record the score at baseline and at each retest.
| Questionnaire | Date | Score | Notes / interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) | |||
| Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) | |||
| IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation Form |
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