Execution
- 1Position the patient with the knee relaxed and initially extended.
- 2Palpate the inferior pole of the patella and proximal patellar tendon.
- 3Palpate the midportion and distal patellar tendon toward the tibial tubercle.
- 4Ask whether palpation reproduces familiar tendon pain.
- 5Compare with the other side and with tendon loading tasks.
Positive outcome
Focal tenderness that reproduces the patient's familiar pain at the patellar tendon, commonly the inferior pole, is positive. Palpation tenderness alone is sensitive but not specific for patellar tendinopathy. Pain should be compared with squat, jump, or decline loading symptoms.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maffulli et al. (2017) | NA | 98 | 68 | 3.06 | 0.03 |
CommentPatellar tendon palpation is very sensitive in symptomatic tendinopathy cohorts but can be tender in other anterior knee conditions. It works best when paired with load-related tendon pain and Royal London findings. Do not diagnose tendinopathy from palpation alone.
Moderate Clinical Value