PATELLAR APPREHENSION

TEST

​• Test positioning

The client lies supine with both knees fully extended.

The therapist stands opposite the involved side and places both thumbs on the medial border of the patella being tested.

​• Action

The client must remain relaxed with no quadriceps contraction, while the therapist gently pushes the patella laterally.

​• Positive finding

If the client is apprehensive to this movement or contracts the quadriceps muscle to protect against subluxation, the test is indicative of patellar subluxation or dislocation (possibly due to laxity of the medial retinaculum).

​• Special considerations & comments

The action may be repeated with the knee flexed to 30-degrees.

The therapist must avoid excessive lateral patellar glide in order to prevent patellar dislocation.

The client's face can also be watched for a look of apprehension.

When the knee is at 30-degrees of flexion it is also known as Fairbank's Apprehension Test.

The Patellar Apprehension Test is based on contributions from Dr. James Cyriax in assessing patellofemoral dysfunction, particularly for evaluating patellar instability or subluxation.