Knee Injuries in Football

Knee injuries can be some of the most devastating in all of sports. A quick and accurate diagnosis is key to the in-season management of the athlete. An accurate diagnosis will allow the physician and athlete to not only come to an understanding of how to expedite return to play, but to understand the risks of operative versus nonoperative management and how the treatment choices will affect the season as well as the athlete’s future. The mission of the team physician is to educate the athlete so that an informed decision can be made regarding the injury. While some knee injuries are relatively straightforward in their treatment algorithm, some can be more complex and require a thorough understanding of the anatomy, the mechanism of injury, the physical examination, and the treatment options. This chapter is designed to help concisely and systematically review common football injuries to the knee sustained in active participation.