COMMON ATHLETIC KNEE INJURIES

Knee injuries continue to be an increasingly common and highly visible problem presenting to the sports medicine physician. The physicians w ho handle knee injuries will be challenged by patients, coaches, train ers, business agents, the press, and family members with an ever-incre asing sophistication of medical knowledge. An understanding of the und erlying structure and function of the commonly injured ligaments, meni sci, and the patellofemoral joint is discussed. Diagnosis by physical examination is encouraged. Conservative and surgical treatment options are reviewed as are the considerations involved in deciding the time to return to sports.