During a soccer game, an 18-year-old woman with a knee injury has a flexed, obviously deformed knee. What is the correct immobilization approach?

• A. Manually stabilize the leg above and below the knee.
• B. Immobilize the knee in the position found.
• C. Straighten the knee to facilitate immobilization.
• D. Assess circulatory function distal to her injury.

Answer: (A)

Prevent further injury by keeping the knee from moving. When a knee is deformed, you should not straighten it. Instead, manually stabilize the leg above and below the knee to limit motion while you apply a splint that extends above and below the joint. This protects nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissues from additional damage. After stabilizing and splinting, reassess distal circulation and sensation to ensure there’s no new compromise.