A 16-Year-Old Boy With Concerning, Recurrent Knee Problems

Zoran Rajković, MD; Dino Papeš, MD

Disclosures

February 05, 2019

Editor's Note:
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Background

A 16-year-old boy is examined in the emergency department (ED) for acute-onset left knee pain and swelling. Two months ago, he suffered a patellar dislocation that was treated with rest, cryotherapy (ice), elevation, and immobilization. He recovered completely from this episode.

The rest of his medical and surgical history is unremarkable. The family history is negative for knee problems or dislocations. He takes no regular medications and has no allergies. He is a high school student and a semiprofessional soccer player.

This episode of knee pain started a week ago following a soccer match. The knee is moderately swollen and painful. At the onset of symptoms, the patient treated himself with cryotherapy, rest, and an elastic bandage, with mild improvement; however, the symptoms reappeared 3 days ago and have progressively worsened, prompting this visit to the ED.

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