Warning

Hot swollen joint

Infection suspected or recent joint surgery

Refer to Emergency department or contact on-call orthopaedic registrar

 

Inflammatory disease suspected

Manage in Primary Care or refer to Rheumatology

Knee injury

Refer to ED:

  • Significant Injury with rapid swelling, instability and unable to complete function
  • Suspected Fracture/Extensor Mechanism Failure
  • True Locked Knee

Refer direct for MRI:

  • >6 weeks with  uninterrupted symptoms and
  • positive meniscal provocation tests or ligament insufficiency +- joint line tenderness and
  • under 50

Knee injury with ability to carry out ADLs

  • Signpost to NHS Inform for gentle exercise
  • Encourage functional activity
  • Analgesia as required
  • Refer to MSK services if progress not as expected

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 11/12/2024

Next review date: 11/12/2026

Reviewer name(s): Ruth Bell.