Knee
Patellofemoral
Evidence: suggestive
Plica Stutter Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing Medial Plica Syndrome.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient seated with knees at 90°.
- Action: Patient slowly extends the knee while the examiner places a finger over the patella.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: The patella 'stutters' or jumps irregularly between 40-60° of flexion (instead of gliding smoothly).
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Plica Stutter Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Knee region, combining the Plica Stutter Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
