Patella

Question 1

Patella Superior Glide

Answer 1

For: examine, decr pain, incr ROM
How: Supine, slight flexion, web/heel of hand on inferior surface of patella, glide superiorly
(rarely limited, if so patellar tendonopothy)

Question 2

Patella Inferior Glide

Answer 2

For: increase knee flexion
How: supine, slight flexion, web space/heel of hand on superior surface of patella, glide inferiorly

Question 3

Patella Medial Glide

Answer 3

For: examine, decr pain, incr ROM
How: Supine, slight flexion, both hands around patella, thumbs glide medially

Question 4

Patella Lateral Glide

Answer 4

For: examine, decr pain, incr ROM
How: Supine, slight flexion, hands around patella, fingers glide laterally
(can cause dislocation is patella is hypermobile)

Question 5

Patella Medial Tilt

Answer 5

For: examine, incr ROM, decr pain
How: Supine, slightly flexed, heel of hand on either side of patella, rock back and forth - mainly medially

Question 6

Patella Lateral tilt

Answer 6

For: examine, decr pain, incr ROM
How: Supine, slightly flexed, heel of hand on either side of patella, rock back and forth, mostly laterally

Question 7

Patellar Apprehension

Answer 7

Tests: Lateral dislocation history
How: Supine, knee extended, push patella lateral - look for reaction
+ = pt tells you stop or looks apprehensive

Question 8

Q angle

Answer 8

Tests: biochemical reason of pattelofemoral pain
How: Supine, knee extended. measure with goni ASIS, midpoint of patella, to tibia tubercle.
+ = > 21 degrees female, or > 16 degrees male

Question 9

Patellofemoral tracking

Answer 9

For: VMO weakness or biomechanical reason for patellofemoral pain
How: seated, kneed flexed to 90. place thumb on inferior pole of patella, ask for extension
+ = patella will not track medially and then slightly laterally or track too far laterally at end of extension

Question 10

Clarke’s Sign

Answer 10

Tests: patellofemoral syndrome
How: Supine, knee extended. Place web of hand on superior pole of patella and glide patella inferiorly. ask for quad set (gentle at first)
+ = pain and grinding

Question 11

Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Answer 11

chondromalacia - softening and fissuring of the underside of the patella
symptoms:
-pain and crepitus
-pain with stairs and prolonged sitting (“movie sign”)

Question 12

PFPS causes (knee-related)

Answer 12

tracking impairments
patella alta - patella above jt line
genu recurvatum - knee hyperextension
increased Q angle
weak VMO
decreased patella medial glide
patella medial/lateral tilt/glide/rotation, ant/post tilt
tight quads, ITB, hamstring

Question 13

PFPS cause (hip-related)

Answer 13

tightness or weakness of hip muscles