Differential Diagnosis for Knee Pain
The patient presents with knee pain and shooting nerve pains after a fall, which suggests a traumatic injury. The following differential diagnoses are considered:
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Hemarthrosis or knee effusion: The patient's history of a recent fall and subsequent knee pain, especially with pressure from tight clothing, suggests a possible hemorrhage or fluid accumulation in the knee joint. This would cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Ligament sprain or strain: The mechanism of injury (fall) and symptoms (pain with bending and pressure) could indicate a sprained or strained ligament, which is a common injury in such scenarios.
- Meniscal tear: A meniscal tear could also be a possibility, given the patient's symptoms of pain with bending and pressure, as well as the history of a fall.
- Contusion or bruising: A contusion or bruise around the knee area could cause pain, especially with pressure from tight clothing.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Fracture (e.g., tibial plateau or patellar fracture): Although the patient mentions thinking they "cracked" their knee, a fracture is a possibility that should not be missed, as it can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
- Neurovascular injury: Damage to the nerves or blood vessels around the knee could lead to serious complications, such as numbness, tingling, or even limb loss.
- Infection (e.g., septic arthritis): Although less likely, an infection in the knee joint could be a life-threatening condition if not promptly treated.
- Rare diagnoses
- Osteonecrosis: A rare condition where the bone tissue dies due to lack of blood supply, which could be caused by a traumatic injury.
- Tumor or cyst: A tumor or cyst in the knee area could cause pain and swelling, although this is a less likely possibility given the patient's recent history of a fall.