Symptoms of a Hard Knock on the Leg - Essay Example

"Symptoms of a Hard Knock on the Leg" is an incredible example of a paper on symptoms. 
Discuss the possible presenting symptoms after a hard knock on the leg in the area behind the knee.

A hard knock on the leg in the area behind the knee can result in varying symptoms. Pain is the most common presenting symptom. Pain which results when a person runs and in particular when he runs down a hill explains that the injury is arising owing to trauma to the popliteal tendon. Pain may be due to trauma to the meniscal ligaments and this can be confirmed when the patient complains of pain when there is deep flexion of the knee. Injury to the posterior components of the knee which include lateral collateral ligament, the posterolateral capsule, and the popliteofibular ligament may occur owing to a hard knock in the area behind the knee. In this case, the patient may complain of pain when he walks and his gait may also get disturbed. In severe cases, the patient may have a varus thrust. The patient can also present with pain upon being touched over the head of the fibula. Swelling can also be present as well as ecchymosis (Muche & Lento 2004).

A patient may also have dislocation of the knee following this trauma. In this case, the common peroneal nerve may also get affected and in some patients, this may lead to partial or complete palsy. The symptoms that the patient may have include weakness of the affected leg. The patient may have a loss of sensations in the leg owing to nerve damage. Thus the sensory and motor symptoms may be present (Niall et al 2005). Effusion of the knee may occur following trauma and this can result in pressure symptoms. The patient may complain of swelling as well as a feeling of fullness in the joint. He may also complain that he is unable to flex his knee. Bony lesions can also result if the intensity of the knock is very severe. In this case, the patient would be unable to move his limb and excruciating pain on movement would be seen (Anderson 2006).

 One of the rare and important symptoms that should be considered is acute and severe pain which may result due to the obstruction of the popliteal artery even in the presence of peripheral pulses (Kim et al 2010). A patient with a hard knock may also present with pain and swelling in the calf area of the leg. This can be associated with swelling in the entire affected leg as well as edema. This occurs due to the formation of thrombi in the popliteal fossa. This needs to be assessed carefully and other symptoms of the patient associated with breathlessness and chest pain should be checked. This is because injury to the popliteal artery can rarely be a reason for deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism which can be fatal (Orlik & Mcvey 2011).

            A patient with a hard knock behind the knee needs to properly assessed and checked. The symptoms range from pain to restriction of movement. Swelling may be present and this can be accompanied by motor and sensory loss in the affected limb. The neurovascular bundle may get affected following such injury and in severe cases, DVT may also result.