General practitioner diagnosis and management of acute knee injuries: summary of an evidence-based guideline

Date
2007
Authors
Robb, G
Reid, D
Arroll, B
Jackson, R
Goodyear Smith, F
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA)
Abstract

Aims To summarise evidence and key recommendations for general practitioner diagnosis and management of acute soft-tissue knee injuries, based on the New Zealand guideline.

Methods A multidisciplinary team developed the guideline by critically appraising and grading retrieved literature using the Graphic Appraisal Tools for Epidemiology, Clinical decision rules and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network. Recommendations were derived from resulting evidence tables.

Results For both diagnosis and management there is a paucity of good evidence to support diagnosis and treatment of internal derangements of the knee, hence some aspects of the guideline are guideline team consensus. Good evidence supports the use of the Ottawa Knee rules to guide decisions about the use of X-ray, and the Lachman test in diagnosing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Evidence supports inclusion of proprioceptive training in rehabilitation programmes following ACL reconstruction and in people with ACL-deficient knees. There is good evidence that ultrasound is of little benefit, and there is no evidence that physiotherapy be routinely advocated following meniscectomy.

Conclusion This guideline provides an evidence-based framework for diagnosis and management of internal derangements of the knee following acute injury. Moreover, its development highlights significant gaps in the evidence base and identifies priorities for new research.

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Source
New Zealand Medical Journal, vol.120(1175)
DOI
Rights statement
Copyright © New Zealand Medical Association, 2007. All Rights Reserved. Authors retain the right to place his/her publication version of the work on a personal website or institutional repository for non commercial purposes. The definitive version was published in (see Citation). The original publication is available at (see Publisher’s Version).