Knee
Patellofemoral
Evidence: confirmed
Waldron’s Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) functionally.
How to Perform
- Action: Examiner palpates the patella while the patient performs slow squats.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Pain, crepitus (grinding), or poor patellar tracking during the movement.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Waldron’s 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 Waldron’s Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
