Clarke’s sign (active patellar compression test) – What is the purpose, indication and relevance?

Clarke’s Sign (Active Patellar Compression Test): Client is supine. Practitioner places their palm on the proximal edge of the patella and applies force, proximal to distal, pressing the patella toward the foot while the client attempts to contact the quadriceps muscles of the affected.

Purpose:

• Assess for patellofemoral pain syndrome

Indications:

• Patellar pain
• Suspected chondromalacia patella or patellar injury

Relevance:

• Positive test – pain and inability to maintain a contraction in the quadriceps muscle is indicative of patellofemoral dysfunction

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This post was written by Omar Rifai