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Updated: Mar 10, 2026

Diagnosis of Musculus Gastrocnemius Tightness - Key Factors for the Clinical Examination

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Published on: July 7, 2016

Patellar Instability: Diagnostic Workup.

Zoe Hinton¹, Kendall Bradley¹, Jocelyn Wittstein¹

¹Duke University Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.

Video Journal of Sports Medicine

|March 9, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A thorough physical examination is crucial for diagnosing patellofemoral instability. Understanding knee anatomy guides targeted assessments beyond standard evaluations for effective treatment.

Keywords:

patella patellar instability patellofemoral recurrent instability

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Area of Science:

Orthopedics
Biomechanics
Anatomy

Background:

The patella is integral to the knee's extensor mechanism, with its tracking influenced by static/dynamic restraints and bony anatomy.
Patellofemoral instability evaluation requires understanding nuanced tracking mechanisms throughout knee motion.

Purpose of the Study:

To outline a comprehensive physical examination protocol for diagnosing patellofemoral instability.
To emphasize the importance of anatomical knowledge in guiding diagnostic workup.

Main Methods:

Includes evaluation of femoral anteversion, tibial torsion, knee range of motion (J sign), patellar assessment (apprehension/translation), standing examination, and gait analysis.
Integrates anatomy-informed maneuvers with radiographic and cross-sectional imaging.

Main Results:

A complete examination assesses all parameters contributing to patellofemoral pathology.
This comprehensive approach aids in identifying causes of patellar maltracking.

Conclusions:

Anatomy-informed physical examination is vital for diagnosing patellofemoral instability.
This detailed assessment, combined with imaging, supports informed surgical decision-making.