Patellar apprehension test assesses which condition?

Patellar apprehension test assesses which condition?

• A. Patellar instability
• B. ACL deficiency
• C. Meniscal tear
• D. Hip joint pathology

Answer: (A)

Patellar instability is what this test assesses. By gently encouraging the patella to glide laterally while the knee is extended, you’re checking how likely the patella is to dislocate or sublux. A positive response is when the patient becomes apprehensive, grimaces, or pulls the leg away and tries to brace against lateral displacement, indicating patellofemoral instability or laxity of the medial patellofemoral ligament. This helps identify risk for recurrent patellar dislocations and maltracking, rather than issues like ACL deficiency, a meniscal tear, or hip pathology, which are evaluated with different tests.

Patellar instability is what this test assesses. By gently encouraging the patella to glide laterally while the knee is extended, you’re checking how likely the patella is to dislocate or sublux. A positive response is when the patient becomes apprehensive, grimaces, or pulls the leg away and tries to brace against lateral displacement, indicating patellofemoral instability or laxity of the medial patellofemoral ligament. This helps identify risk for recurrent patellar dislocations and maltracking, rather than issues like ACL deficiency, a meniscal tear, or hip pathology, which are evaluated with different tests.