| Mechanism of injury | Likely diagnosis | Other possible conditions |
| Twisting or pivoting maneuvers | - Anterior cruciate ligament injury with or without meniscus tear
- Medial collateral ligament injury
- Patellar dislocation
| - Posterior lateral corner injury
|
| Hyperextension (eg, landing a jump) | - Anterior cruciate ligament injury with or without meniscus tear
- Posterior cruciate ligament injury
- Distal femoral physeal fracture
- Proximal tibial physeal fracture
- Meniscal tear
| - Posterior capsule tear
- Posterior lateral corner injury
|
| Valgus stress (direct force to the lateral knee) | - Medial collateral ligament injury with or without meniscus tear
- Anterior cruciate ligament injury
- Distal femoral physeal fracture
- Proximal tibial physeal fracture
- Tibial eminence (spine) fracture
- Patellar dislocation
| - Posterior lateral corner injury
|
| Direct blow to the anterior knee | - Patellar fracture
- Chondral fracture (articular cartilage)
- Posterior cruciate ligament injury
| - Prepatellar bursitis
- Chondral contusion
- Posterior capsule tear
- Posterior lateral corner injury
|
| Varus stress (direct force to the medial knee) | - Lateral collateral ligament tear
- Distal femoral physeal fracture
- Posterior lateral corner tear
- Tibiofemoral dislocation
| - Tibial eminence (spine) fracture
- Peroneal nerve injury
|
| Hyperflexion (taking off from a jump) | - Meniscus tear
- Proximal tibial physeal fracture
- Tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture
- Patellar sleeve fracture
| - Tibial eminence (spine) fracture
- Osteochondral fracture
|
