Wound evaluation in the immediate phase after knee injury

Most people have a reasonable idea of assessing a wound, so I will just make a few points here.

• The knee can suffer serious internal damage without there needing to be an obvious wound.
• High-speed gravel wounds (motorcycling) need particular attention, and if there is a deep gash be mindful that gravel can penetrate into the joint cavity.
• If any bone has penetrated the skin from an underlying fracture, this is always an emergency and one must go to hospital.
• Occasionally someone kneels on the carpet and has the impression of having knelt upon a sewing needle. A needle can penetrate a knee and apparently 'disappear'  - do not be fooled and get an X-ray as soon as possible.