Distal Thigh Swelling In A Collegiate Football Player - Page #1
 

Author: Shane Davis, MD
Co Author #1: David Tullis, MD
Co Author #2: Shivali Shah, DO
Co Author #3: Darren Campbell, MD
Senior Editor: Carolyn Landsberg, MD
Editor: James Rory Tucker, MD

Patient Presentation:
A 20-year-old male college football player presented with left knee and thigh pain and swelling.

History:
The athlete injured his left knee falling to the turf field while being tackled during a game. He had immediate pain but was able to continue playing. Following the game, he noted swelling which initially improved and then worsened over the next few days. As the swelling increased, so did his pain. He denied locking, catching or instability. He had no history of left knee injuries.

Physical Exam:
He presented with antalgic gait and fluctuant soft-tissue swelling at the superomedial knee and distal thigh consistent with a subcutaneous fluid collection. There was overlying ecchymosis, abrasion and tenderness in that area. He did not have any obvious joint line tenderness or joint effusion and special testing was unremarkable for ligamentous laxity or meniscal signs.

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