Knee
Patellofemoral
Evidence: suggestive
Tubercle Sulcus Angle Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing lateral patellar tracking (alternate to Q-angle).
How to Perform
- Position: Knee flexed to 90°.
- Observation: Observe the position of the tibial tuberosity relative to the center of the patella.
Interpretation of Results
- Normal: Tuberosity is vertically aligned with the center of the patella.
- Abnormal: Tuberosity is positioned laterally (>10°), indicating lateral tracking.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Tubercle Sulcus Angle 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 Tubercle Sulcus Angle with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
