ABSTRACT
Knee injuries are common complaints in patients presenting to the emergency department. An understanding of the pathogenesis and symptoms of these injuries helps the nurse practitioner recognize, treat, and refer patients appropriately. This article outlines the pathophysiology and symptoms of injuries of the knee including fractures, dislocations, subluxation, ligamentous injuries, bone tumors, meniscal tears, extensor mechanism tendinopathy and disruption, bursitis, popliteal cysts, and osteoarthritis. Specific knee injury grading and classification will also be reviewed.