Stanford Medicine 25

Promoting the Culture of Bedside Medicine

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Knee Exam
Knee complaints are common and the knee exam is
the most important way to address these
complaints by finding the cause of knee pain and
figuring out what treatment is needed.

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Introduction to the Knee Exam

Careful examination of the knee can provide valuable information and help the physician determine
when imaging studies may or may not be helpful.

Knee Exam Technique

Inspection: Observe both knees together. Note any asymmetry of the joint or quadriceps muscles.

Ask patient to lie supine. Whenever possible, ensure patient can lie comfortably with head back, legs
straight, and toes up

Assess temperature by placing back of hand to shin then ipsilateral knee, repeated for both legs.

Commonly, the knee will feel cooler than the shin.

 If knee feels warmer than shin, suspect inflammation.

Try the "crossover test" with one hand on one knee and one on the other knee. Decide if there's
a temperature difference. Next, cross the hands to test the opposite knee. If there's a
temperature difference, it will be exagerated by this maneuver.

Assess for fluid

Method 1: Gently press just medial of the patella, then move the hand in an ascending motion.
Then press firmly on the lateral aspect of the knee.

Commonly, no fluid will be appreciated.

A medial aspect that 'bulges' out after lateral pressure (positive "bulge sign") is
consistent with a moderate amount of fluid.

A medial aspect that does not bulge but tensely reflects lateral pressure is consistent
with a large amount of fluid.

Method 2: Assess for fluid by placing one hand superior to the patella and with slight
downward pressure milk the suprapatellar pouch which emptys into the knee joint. Next use
the other hand to push to push on the patella. If there is an effusion, the patellar will bounce off
the underlying bone (patella tap test).

A palpated or audible tap indicates a "ballotable" knee and is consistent with at least a
moderate amount of fluid.

Assess for tendon pathology by firmly palpating the superior pole of the patella and then the
inferior to assess patellar femoral syndrome.

Tenderness at the superior insertion is consistent with quadriceps tendon pathology.

Tenderness at the inferior insertion is consistent with patellar tendonitis, "Jumpers knee."

In the patient with direct patellar trauma & isolated patellar tenderness, an x-ray is
indicated to evaluate for fracture.

Assess for cartilage pathology

Apley's grind test (patellar cartilage tear): By placing palm on patella and applying firm
pressure while manipulating the patella in the sagittal plane. Crepitus is significant only when
accompanied by tenderness, in which case it is consistent with patellar cartilage pathology.

McMurray test (meniscus cartilage tear):

Lateral meniscus tear: With patient supine, fully flex the knee, place forefingers on lateral
side of joint line, then with applying valgus stress and internal rotation of leg, extend the
 knee looking for both pop/click and pain

Medial meniscus tear: With patient supine, fully flex the knee, place forefingers on medial
side of joint line, then with applying varus stress and external rotation of leg, extend the
knee looking for both pop/click and pain

Assess for laxity

While supine, ask patent to flex knee and set foot on examination table. Sit on the foot to
immobilize it and grasp the head of the tibia with both hands and pull anteriorly.

Movement greater than 1cm (positive anterior drawer sign) is consistent with an
anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.

Do not attempt to elicit an anterior drawer sign with legs hanging; the extra degree of
freedom will confound any findings.

Lachman test: flex the knee only 20-30 degrees (rather than 90 degrees in anterior
drawer sign), then attempt to pull tibia anterior relative to the femur. If positive, a
deficient ACL will demonstrate increase movement forward. This test is thought to be
more sensitive than the anterior drawer sign.

Attempt to hyperextend knee by placing one hand superior to the patella and the other
posterior to the heel. More than 2-3cm (i.e. able to place one or two fingers beneath the heel
when leg is extended and flat) is abnormal.

With both hands, flex and extend the knee. Repeat while introducing medial and lateral
rotation. Determine if any "locking" or "catching" is present.

With leg straight, apply valgus stress and varus stress to text deviation greater than a few
centimeters.
Knee Examination (Stanford Medicine 25)

Consult the Expert

Mark Genovese
Dr. Mark Genovese is certified in rheumatology and is actively involved in house staff training at
Stanford University. He is involved in research including clinical trials and interventions in
rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, & osteoarthritis.

Clinical Pearl

If a careful exam does not elicit significant pain or laxity, imaging studies are
extremely unlikely to provide further useful information.”
 Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Iliotibial band syndrome presents as lateral knee pain from a tight iliotibial band that crosses over the
lateral femoral epicondyle. It is most commonly seen in runners and aggravated during running. The
diagnosis can be made by noting pain in the lateral aspect of the knee, especially during running.
There are also two tests, reviewed below that will help you diagnose and confirm iliotibial band
syndrome.

Treatment includes rest, pain medications and often can be corrected by addressing strength deficits
such as abduction weaknesses which can be treated with physical therapy.

Click here to watch a video on the exam for iliotibial band syndrome.

Adapted from Image Credit

Noble Test
In the noble test is done placing the knee with some flexion while patient is supine. Next place the
thumb over the iliotibial band before its insertion to the lateral femoral condyle (as noted in image).
While placing pressure with your thumb, attempt to extend the leg, looking for pain under your
thumb.

Noble test: With leg slightly flexed, place pressure over iliotibial band with thumb.

Noble test: Next, extend leg while holding pressure over the iliotibial band, looking for pain in
that region.

Ober Test
In the Ober test you are looking for a tight iliotibial band. To conduct the Ober test, place your patient
on his or her lateral side with the painful side facing up. Next, place your hand under the lower part of
leg and bring the whole leg posterior (as in image below). Next, while stablizing the hip, attempt to
bring the leg down to level of the other leg. Inability to bring the leg down to the level of the lower leg
suggests a tight iliotibial band and a positive Ober's test. A positive Ober's test in a patient with lateral
knee pain is highly suggestive of iliotibial band syndrome.
Ober test: First bringing leg while supported posterior.

Ober test: Next bring higher leg down to level of lower leg. If unable to lower leg, then test is
positive for a tight iliotibial band.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome Physical Exam - Stanford Medicine 25

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 Key Learning Points

Learn the checklist and technique of the knee exam (see video)

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