ABSTRACT

Knee anatomy offers an unprecedented advantage to human beings in an upright posture, locomotion, and mobility. The inherent locking mechanism provided in the knee permits standing for prolonged periods without muscle strain. The above advantages however come at the cost of stability. The knee stabilizers namely cruciates, collateral, and capsular ligaments are vulnerable to injury, and damage to these structures can be quite disabling. A clinician is entrusted with the task of identification of injury to these structures in case of trauma. Several physical tests are available that can guide the clinician to a precise diagnosis or suggest further investigations. The chapter illustrates commonly used physical examination tests for knee injuries. It is however essential that the child is relaxed and there is no muscle guarding while performing these tests. Additionally, one should be wary of various compensatory mechanisms and concomitant injuries.