Question 1
One would need to know the period for which the pain has been ongoing. One would also need to know from the patient if he has had a physical injury to his knee in the recent past. One would also need to know if the patient has been involved in some strenuous exercise recently.
Question 2
Magnetic resonance imaging would also need to be carried out to determine where there is damage to other joint tissues.
Fluid would also be acquired from the knee joint for microscopic scrutiny to conclude whether the pain is resulting from a bacterial infection or from uric acid crystals.
Blood tests would also be carried out to determine possibility of rheumatoid arthritis.
Question 3
Osteoarthritis because it manifests as pain in the joints just as the patient is suffering from and also there is joint destruction caused by deterioration of joints which could be causing the catching sensation under the patella (Hitch, 1994).
Tendinitis -this would be chosen as a condition since it causes pain in front of the knee.
Chondromalacia patella –this would be chosen because it leads to damaged cartilage under the patella that would be suspected to be cause of catching sensation under the patella.
Meniscus tear- a rupture in one or more of the cartilage of the bone that would be causing the dull pain.
Gout-which is arthritis caused by buildup of uric acid crystals in the knee hence the persistent pain.
Question 4
The x ray image of the patient helped refine the differential diagnosis to osteoarthritis. There is no bone injury but the cartilage of the bones is worn off.
Categories to classify knee pain would be; injuries, diseases, inflammations and deformities.
The physical examination done involve gently feeling the knee narrowing down source of the pain or unsteadiness of the knee; one would tell if it is ligament problem or bone problem. This would involve bending, straightening, rotating and pressing the knee (Speight, 2008).
The maneuvers involved here would be standing, walking and squatting.
References
Hitch, M. (1994). Assessment Review Series: Musculoskeletal System. Orthopaedic Nursing, 13(3), 60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00006416-199405000-00017
Speight, M. (2008). Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System, 2nd edn. International Musculoskeletal Medicine, 30(3), 143-143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/175361408x372797
