Is the patella apprehension test a valid diagnostic test for patellar instability? A systematic review

Patellar instability can arise from a traumatic event with anatomical predisposing factors increasing the risk of dislocation. Accurate diagnosis is required to initiate appropriate treatment. We aimed to evaluate the patella apprehension test (PAT) as a method to diagnose patellar instability.

The PRISMA diagnostic test accuracy checklist was followed. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42022357898. Electronic databases, currently registered studies, conference proceedings and the reference lists of included studies were searched. A narrative synthesis evaluated the validity of the PAT as a method of diagnosing patellar instability.

A total of 4867 records were screened in the initial search. Of these, 34 articles satisfied the inclusion criteria, assessing 1139 knees of 1046 patients. The PAT was found to have a high sensitivity and specificity. Its intra and inter-rater reliability was highly variable among studies. Studies reporting patellar instability correction following surgery also found a decrease in the number of patients exhibiting a positive PAT.

Current evidence suggests that the PAT has a high sensitivity and specificity. The intra- and inter-rater validities of the PAT are widely variable due to its subjective nature. Thus, though the PAT can be used to provide a provisional clinical diagnosis of patellar instability, formal functional assessment and imaging should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Further research should explore the association between a positive PAT and anatomical parameters. In addition, studies comparing the accuracy of the PAT and radiological investigations should be performed.