Category: Leg

Presentation: Pain in the posterior thigh (extending from bottom of butt to behind the knee). If you have torn the hamstring you may feel a popping sound on increased exertion. Also, if torn, the hamstring will be very painful to walk and will require crutches to mobilise. Additionally, if you see bruising on the hamstring […]

Presentation: This injury is from direct impact onto soft tissue from a foreign object, also called macro-trauma injury or bruising (cricket ball, punch, hit, strike, fall, slip, bump). The other reason for hematoma is from micro-trauma (tear and strain of the muscle and tendons). Generally the bruising, swelling or hematoma is localised to the area […]

Presentation : Pain in the groin or into the inside thigh. Hearing a popping sound where the groin muscles attach to the bone in the groin. Treatment: Strain will take 3 – 14 days to recover, grade 1 tear 2-6 weeks, grade 2 tear 6-9 weeks, grade 3 tear 12-16 weeks. No need for an […]

Presentation: Inside knee pain, unable to extend (straighten) knee, swelling > 1cm. Tender on palpation of the medial joint line, unable to squat. Clicking or locking of the knee. Pain on medial and behind the knee. Treatment: Don’t perform an USS scan, its not helpful in diagnosing meniscal issues. X-ray is useful and can reveal […]

Presentation Inside knee pain, family history of total knee replacement, unable to bend knee fully, unable straighten the knee, pain into medial tibia / shin bone, swelling > 0.5cm, unable to squat. Pain behind the knee on the medial side (inside). Treatment X-ray to reveal extent of OA. No USS required. Mild OA will settle […]

Presentation Tender to touch the calf, unable to walk properly, bruising on calf, hearing a popping sound in calf, hurts to pull toes back towards head, hurts when pushing off toes. Hurts to walk up-stairs. Swelling greater than 0.5cm compared to non-affected side. Swelling into the ankle and possibly behind the knee. Hurts to squeeze […]

Presentation Posterior knee pain, swelling behind the knee, history of ganglion or cysts in the body, family history of ganglion cysts or baker’s cysts, pain/cramp in calf, pain/cramp in hamstring. Visible lump behind the knee. Treatment X ray to rule out loose bodies and OA. Posterior medial compartment OA can also give a patient behind […]

Presentation Swelling > 1cm (the more swelling the more damage, 4-5cm will usually mean full thickness tear), giving way of the knee, ACL test is positive or laxity exists (refer to ACL laxity test video below). Additionally, refer to How to assess knee video below. Locking of the knee, unable to straighten the knee and […]