Execution
- 1Position the patient supine or seated with the knee initially extended.
- 2Apply a lateral force to the patella.
- 3Passively flex the knee while maintaining the lateral patellar force.
- 4Then extend the knee while maintaining the lateral patellar force.
- 5Observe for apprehension and repeat with medial patellar stabilization if needed.
Positive outcome
Reproduction of apprehension between approximately 0 and 30 degrees knee flexion is positive. Relief of apprehension when the patella is stabilized medially strengthens the finding. The test is designed to mimic lateral patellar instability during motion.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmad et al. (2009) | NA | 100 | 88.4 | 8.62 | 0 |
CommentAhmad's cohort reported excellent performance, but the reference standard involved instability under anesthesia in a selected surgical population. The moving version is more clinically specific for instability than static patellar glide. Value is high-to-moderate; I rate it high because the original diagnostic signal is strong.
High Clinical Value