Acute Sports-Related Lower Extremity Injuries

Acute injuries to the lower extremity are among the most common affecting young athletes and are frequently evaluated in the emergency department. Accurate diagnosis is essential to guide appropriate management to improve outcome, shorten time to recovery and return to sport/activity, and prevent complications. This article will describe the evaluation and management of acute, sports-related, lower extremity injuries, including review of frequently injured anatomical structures, physical examination techniques, indications for imaging, initial treatment, and guidelines for follow-up and return to sport.