A 20-year-old male construction worker is experiencing new onset of knee pain. He complains of right knee pain when kneeling, squatting, or walking up and down stairs. On physical examination, there is swelling and crepitus of the right knee and obvious pain with resisted range of motion of the knee. He is unable to squat due to pain. Which of the following disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described can be associated with a variety of knee disorders. Joint infection can cause swelling, pain, and decreased range of motion. Chondromalacia patella, a condition where the cartilage under the kneecap is damaged, can lead to pain especially when kneeling, squatting, or using stairs. Prepatellar bursitis, inflammation of the bursa in front of the kneecap, can cause localized swelling and pain, particularly with kneeling. Therefore, all of the mentioned conditions should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

A 20-Year-Old Male Construction Worker Is Experiencing New Onset of Knee