Page 144 - ASOP Orthopedic Casting Manual
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3.5.2 Clinical Characteristics
Clinical Characteristics / Presentation
Patella Fractures
✓ Pain and swelling over the anterior knee
✓ Inabilit y to actively ex tend the knee if ex tensor mechanism is disrupted
✓ Palpable gap in displaced fractures
✓ Hemar throsis (knee effusion)
Tibial Plateau Fractures
✓ Pain and swelling localized to the proximal tibia
✓ Inabilit y to bear weight
✓ Joint effusion and possible valgus/varus defor mit y
✓ Possible ligamentous instabilit y if associated soft tissue injur y
Quadriceps / Patellar Tendon Ruptures
✓ Inabilit y to ex tend the knee actively
✓ Patella al ta (high-riding patella) in patellar tendon rupture
✓ Palpable defect above or below the patella
✓ Significant pain with attempted knee ex tension
