Knee examination:

Introduction:
Wash hands

Introduce yourself / Confirm patient details – name / DOB

Explain examination: “Today I’ve been asked to examine your knee joint, this will
involve me looking, feeling and moving the joint.

Ensure adequate exposure Ideally the patient should be wearing shorts exposing
lower limbs

Position the patient standing upright Ask if patient currently has any pain

Inspection (look)

S Swelling – look for loss of normal hollow around patella

E Erythema
A Atrophy of quadriceps muscle (measure quadriceps size 15 cm above tibial tubercle)
D Deformity (varus/valgus/recurvatum, symmetry, alignment)
S Skin changes (scars, bruising)

Note: look for Baker’s cyst in popliteal area

Gait:

o Symmetry / balance

o Turning speed

o Abnormal gait

Feel: