Homer Simpson presents with lateral knee pain; which test would be most informative?

Homer Simpson presents with lateral knee pain; which test would be most informative?

• A. Valgus overload
• B. Plantar fasciitis test
• C. Maximum elbow flexion
• D. Noble

Answer: (B)

Lateral knee pain is often due to irritation of the iliotibial band as it slides over the lateral femoral epicondyle. The Noble test targets that exact issue by stressing the IT band during knee movement. In this exam, you position the patient so the IT band is compressed at the lateral femoral epicondyle and then passively extend the knee from a flexed position. If pain is reproduced around 30 degrees of knee flexion, that indicates IT band friction syndrome, making this test particularly informative for lateral knee pain. The other tests miss the main problem here. A test for valgus overload stresses the medial knee structures (like the MCL) and isn’t the best way to evaluate lateral pain. A plantar fasciitis test assesses the foot’s plantar fascia and heel pain rather than the knee. An elbow flexion test evaluates the elbow, not the knee.

Lateral knee pain is often due to irritation of the iliotibial band as it slides over the lateral femoral epicondyle. The Noble test targets that exact issue by stressing the IT band during knee movement. In this exam, you position the patient so the IT band is compressed at the lateral femoral epicondyle and then passively extend the knee from a flexed position. If pain is reproduced around 30 degrees of knee flexion, that indicates IT band friction syndrome, making this test particularly informative for lateral knee pain.

The other tests miss the main problem here. A test for valgus overload stresses the medial knee structures (like the MCL) and isn’t the best way to evaluate lateral pain. A plantar fasciitis test assesses the foot’s plantar fascia and heel pain rather than the knee. An elbow flexion test evaluates the elbow, not the knee.