Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

A 20-year-old male who plays soccer reports knee pain after twisting his knee. What is the most likely injury?

1. Injury to the patella of the right knee

2. Injury to the meniscus of the right knee

3. Injury to the ligaments of the right knee

4. Rupture of the quadriceps tendon

The correct answer is: Injury to the meniscus of the right knee

The most likely injury in this scenario, given the context of twisting the knee during a soccer game, is indeed an injury to the meniscus of the right knee. The menisci are cartilage structures that act as shock absorbers between the femur and tibia. A twisting motion, particularly when combined with weight-bearing activity—which is common in sports like soccer—can lead to a meniscal tear. In this case, the twisting action creates rotational stress on the knee joint, making it susceptible to injury. Symptoms often include localized pain along the joint line, swelling, and sometimes a catching or locking sensation, all of which align with the described knee pain. The other options, while possible, are less likely considering the mechanism of injury. Injuries to the patella typically present with pain on direct palpation or during specific movements, but do not strongly correlate with a twist. Ligament injuries, such as those to the ACL or MCL, are possible but usually present with more immediate instability or a 'pop' at the time of injury. A rupture of the quadriceps tendon generally occurs with more forceful trauma or older individuals and would likely involve significant symptoms immediately after the incident. Therefore, the presentation aligns best with a meniscal injury.