Which exam finding is typically seen with patellar tendinopathy?

Which exam finding is typically seen with patellar tendinopathy?

• A. Medial collateral ligament laxity
• B. Loose hyaline cartilage
• C. Posterior cruciate laxity
• D. Palpable thickening of the patellar tendon

Answer: (D)

Patellar tendinopathy is characterized by a thickened, tender patellar tendon on examination. Repetitive loading over time causes degenerative changes in the tendon, so you can often feel a firm thickening along the tendon just below the kneecap. This palpable thickening, sometimes with focal tenderness, is a classic sign and helps distinguish tendinopathy from other knee problems. The pain usually worsens with tendon loading, such as resisted knee extension or jumping, but the key exam finding is the palpable thickening of the patellar tendon. Other findings you’d expect with different issues include laxity of the medial collateral ligament, which shows abnormal valgus laxity; laxity of the posterior cruciate ligament, which presents with posterior instability; or cartilage problems, which show joint line pain or degenerative changes rather than a localized tendon thickening.

Patellar tendinopathy is characterized by a thickened, tender patellar tendon on examination. Repetitive loading over time causes degenerative changes in the tendon, so you can often feel a firm thickening along the tendon just below the kneecap. This palpable thickening, sometimes with focal tenderness, is a classic sign and helps distinguish tendinopathy from other knee problems. The pain usually worsens with tendon loading, such as resisted knee extension or jumping, but the key exam finding is the palpable thickening of the patellar tendon.

Other findings you’d expect with different issues include laxity of the medial collateral ligament, which shows abnormal valgus laxity; laxity of the posterior cruciate ligament, which presents with posterior instability; or cartilage problems, which show joint line pain or degenerative changes rather than a localized tendon thickening.