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Acute Knee Injuries

In this episode of Bone Break, we take a structured, case-based approach to acute knee injuries, focusing on the initial assessment and management decisions faced in the emergency and acute care setting. Using the case of a teenage athlete with mechanical knee symptoms following a sports injury, we walk through the critical elements of the acute knee exam, emphasizing what must be ruled out early and which findings warrant urgent imaging or referral. We review the anatomy and biomechanical role of the meniscus, common mechanisms of meniscal injury, and key physical exam findings that help distinguish pain-limited motion from true mechanical blocks to extension. The episode explores classification of meniscal tears, including bucket-handle and root tears, highlights characteristic MRI findings, and discusses how tear pattern, location, and vascularity influence treatment decisions. Non-operative care, meniscal repair techniques, and indications for partial meniscectomy are covered, with a strong focus on preserving meniscal tissue whenever possible.