injuries and poisoning
Knee Extensor Injuries
Diagnosis of Knee Extensor Injuries
A doctor's evaluation X-rays Magnetic resonance imaging By examining the knee, doctors may be able to tell which structure is injured. If a person has knee swelling and pain after an injury, doctors ask the person to sit and try to extend the injured leg or to lie on their back and lift their injured leg. If the person cannot extend or lift the leg, a knee extensor mechanism injury is likely. Doctors also take x-rays of the knee. Often, x-rays can show whether a kneecap is displaced or fractured. For example, x-rays may show a knee cap that is positioned higher than its usual place over the knee joint (called a high-riding or raised patella). This finding suggests that the patellar tendon is torn. However, x-rays may appear normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can confirm the diagnosis. 