- Grade 1 sprain: mild sprain, able to bear weight and ambulate
- Grade 2: moderate sprain, partial tear of ligament, presence of ecchymoses, mod swelling, pain, joint tender, ambulation and weight bearing painful, mild-mod joint instability. consider xray and refer
- Grade 3: unable to bear weight immediately after injury, unable to ambulate at least 4 steps, tenderness over the posterior edge of the lateral or medial malleolus. Referral to ED for fracture, ankle seris medial and lateral collateral ligament injuries-- contact sports
MCL-sudden valgus stress to knee, may have heard a pop, medial knee pain, localized swelling, effusion
LCL-direct blow to medial aspect of knee (varus stress), tenderness over the LCL, joint laxity, small effusion
ACL-pain and almost immediate swelling after sudden cutting, deceleration, or jumping; weight bearing is difficult due to feelings of instability; effusion may be present; pain and tenderness in the poserolateral joint--check for positive anterior drawer and lachman's test
Meniscus tear- pain especially with twisting of the knee, knee is locking or giving away, harder to descend stairs than climbing, knee swelling, tenderness over tibial medial or lateral joint line--positive McMurray test