When should a client with a knee injury seek further medical evaluation?

A client with a knee injury should seek further medical evaluation if they experience numbness and tingling in the limb. This symptom could indicate nerve involvement or compromise in circulation, both of which require prompt attention. Numbness and tingling can signal potential underlying issues such as nerve damage, vascular problems, or significant structural injury, necessitating a thorough medical assessment to determine the cause and establish an appropriate treatment plan.

The presence of significant bruising, swelling after a few days of rest, or an inability to bend the knee can indicate injury severity or complications; however, these symptoms do not carry the same immediate concern for nerve or circulatory compromise as numbness and tingling do. Therefore, while they warrant attention, they may not necessitate immediate medical evaluation the way the neurological symptoms do.