Question

During a soccer game, a player trips and falls. She can sit up easily, but she has a difficult time getting back on her feet. She complains of pain in her knee. The team physician notices swelling and bruising around the knee. What would the physician suspect? Check all that apply.

sprain

fracture

spinal injury

head injury

Answer 1

Select: sprain and fracture.

Rationale: localized knee pain with swelling and bruising suggests a local soft-tissue (ligament/meniscus) injury or bony injury. Her ability to sit up easily makes a spinal injury unlikely, and there are no signs described of head injury (loss of consciousness, confusion), so head injury is unlikely.