Differential Diagnosis for 22 Year Old Female with Atraumatic Right Knee Pain
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Meniscal tear: A meniscal tear can cause sharp, pinching pain, especially with movement and ambulation. The atraumatic onset could be due to a minor, unnoticed injury or a degenerative meniscal tear.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Ligament sprain: Although the patient reports no trauma, a minor sprain could have occurred, causing pain and swelling.
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome: This condition is common in young, active females and can cause sharp pain, especially with activities that put stress on the knee.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae in the knee can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Septic arthritis: Although less likely, septic arthritis is a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. It can cause severe pain, swelling, and warmth in the affected joint.
- Osteonecrosis: Avascular necrosis of the bone can cause severe, sharp pain, especially with weight-bearing activities.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): DVT can cause pain, swelling, and warmth in the affected leg, and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Rheumatologic conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus): These conditions can cause knee pain, swelling, and stiffness, but are less common in young, otherwise healthy females.
- Tumor or cyst: A benign or malignant tumor, or a cyst, can cause knee pain and swelling, but is a rare cause of atraumatic knee pain in a young adult.
- Neuropathic pain: Certain conditions, such as nerve entrapment or neuropathy, can cause sharp, burning pain in the knee, but are less common causes of knee pain in young adults.