Palpation of knee joint can be done in various positions based on the comfort of the patient and therapist. If the patient is sitting, high sitting is a good position to start. If not, supine is an alternative position where the patient is most relaxed; as shown by Hutchinson in the BJSM video. Practice is the key to master the examination. The students should be aware of the location of the structures in such a way that you should be able to see through the skin and locate the structures underneath. Practice by marking the skin for various structures under the skin.

1. Saurab Sharma, MPT
Lecturer, KUSMS
Knee joint assessment
Palpation Skills

2. Objectives of session
At the end of the class, students will be able to:
 Identify various landmarks in and around knee joint
 Palpate important structures around knee joint
 Identify Zones of soft tissue palpation
 Palpate soft tissues in various zones
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3. Palpation:
 With various angles of knee flexion
 Patella
 Joint line (Medial and lateral)
 Tibial tuberosity
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4. Palpation:
 With various angles of knee flexion.
 Medio patellar Plica- on the medial border of the
patella.
 Jumper’s knee: at the apex of patella (patellar
tendon)
 Patellar tendinitis: palpate distally
 Housemaid’s knee: prepatellar bursitis
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5. Palpation:
 Patellar retinaculum: can be palpated on either
side of the patella
 Quadriceps muscle: can be palpated for any strain,
wasting or hard mass (myositis ossificans)
 MCL: along the medial aspect of the knee
 Pes Anserine bursitis: medial and slight distal to
tibial tuberosity
 IlioTibial Band: may be palpated over the anterior
surface of lateral condyle of tibia medial to the fibular
head)
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6. Palpation: (Antero-medial aspect)
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7. Palpation: (Antero-medial aspect)
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8. Palpation: (Antero-medial aspect)
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9. Palpation: (Antero-medial aspect)
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10. Palpation: (Antero-medial aspect)
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11. Palpation: (Antero-medial aspect)
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12. Palpation: (Antero-medial aspect)
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13. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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14. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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15. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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16. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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17. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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18. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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19. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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20. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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21. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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22. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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23. Palpation: (Antero-lateral aspect)
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24. Soft tissue Palpation:
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 Four clinical zones:
Zone 1: Anterior
Zone 2: Medial
Zone 3: Lateral
Zone 4: Posterior

25. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 1: Anterior
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26. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 1: Anterior
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27. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 1: Anterior
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28. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 2: Medial
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29. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 2: Medial
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30. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 2: Medial
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31. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 2: Medial
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32. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 3: Lateral
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33. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 3: Lateral
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34. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 3: Lateral
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35. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 3: Lateral
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36. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 3: Lateral
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37. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 3: Lateral
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38. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 4: Posterior aspect
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39. Soft tissue Palpation
Zone 4: Posterior aspect
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40. Summary:
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41. References
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 Stanley Hoppenfield’s book

42. Plan for next class:
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 Range of motion examination
 Muscle length test
 MMT
 Reflex
 Prerequisites:
 Muscle attachment
 Tools required: Goniometer, reflex hammer