In the patella grind test, anterior knee pain suggests pathology in which joint?

In the patella grind test, anterior knee pain suggests pathology in which joint?

• A. Tibiofemoral joint
• B. Patellofemoral joint
• C. Hip joint
• D. Ankle joint

Answer: (B)

The patellofemoral joint is what’s stressed during the patella grind test. This maneuver directly compresses and grooves the patella against the femur as you move the knee, so pain felt at the front of the knee (anterior knee pain) points to pathology at that joint. Common patellofemoral issues include patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia patellae, which produce front-of-knee pain when the patella tracks. By contrast, pain from the tibiofemoral joint would show up more as joint-line or deep knee pain during loading and movement of the knee itself, not specifically as anterior pain from patellar loading. Hip or ankle problems can refer pain to the knee but the patella grind test is designed to isolate the patellofemoral articulation, making this the most likely source of anterior knee pain in this test.

The patellofemoral joint is what’s stressed during the patella grind test. This maneuver directly compresses and grooves the patella against the femur as you move the knee, so pain felt at the front of the knee (anterior knee pain) points to pathology at that joint. Common patellofemoral issues include patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia patellae, which produce front-of-knee pain when the patella tracks.

By contrast, pain from the tibiofemoral joint would show up more as joint-line or deep knee pain during loading and movement of the knee itself, not specifically as anterior pain from patellar loading. Hip or ankle problems can refer pain to the knee but the patella grind test is designed to isolate the patellofemoral articulation, making this the most likely source of anterior knee pain in this test.