Last reviewed
2026-02-07
Workflow pack
Knee pain and injury workflow
Workflow for knee pain visits using rule-based imaging decisions, conservative care, and referral thresholds.
Trust and governance
Use only within this workflow's defined scope and exclusions.
Clinical owner
Family Medicine Editorial Team
Risk tier
Low
Review cadence
Every 12 months
Next due 2027-02-07
Review status
Current
Scope limits
Outpatient knee pain assessment for stable patients without immediate limb-threatening findings.
Exclusions (escalate/redirect)
- Open injury, neurovascular compromise, or septic joint emergency.
- Hospital-level acute orthopedic trauma management.
References
At a glance
Rapid decision framing for in-visit use. Educational only; always apply clinical judgment.
Immediate actions
- Clarify injury mechanism, instability features, and weight-bearing ability.
- Screen quickly for fracture, septic-joint, and neurovascular red flags.
- Determine initial disposition and imaging necessity using decision rules.
Red flags / escalate now
- Inability to bear weight with high fracture suspicion.
- Hot swollen joint with systemic toxicity concern.
- Progressive neurovascular deficits or severe instability.
First-line plan
- Begin conservative pain/function plan when high-risk features are absent.
- Use imaging only when rule criteria are met.
- Set realistic recovery expectations and escalation boundaries.
Follow-up and monitoring
- Reassess pain, function, and swelling trajectory.
- Escalate for worsening instability, swelling, or infection concern.
- Refer if persistent functional limitation or suspected structural injury remains.
Condition guidance
Referral checklists
Tools and calculators
Patient handouts
Return precautions (patient script)
Suggested plain-language wording for safety-net counseling:
If symptoms get worse, new warning signs appear, or you cannot follow the plan from this visit, seek urgent care now.
- Use with the specific red flags listed on this page.
- Confirm follow-up timing and where to go after-hours.
- Document that return precautions were reviewed and understood.
Visit-close checklist
- Document disposition, rationale, and unresolved diagnostic uncertainty.
- Give explicit return precautions and follow-up timeline before ending visit.
- Attach a relevant handout when available to reinforce adherence and safety-netting.