McConnell’s Test

Orthopedic Exam / Special Tests for Physical Therapy: KNEE

The cartilage under our kneecap is a natural shock absorber. Overuse, injury or other factors may lead to a condition known as chondromalacia patella – a general term indicating damage to the cartilage under our kneecap. A more accurate term for chondromalacia patella is patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome usually causes a dull, aching pain in the front of your knee. This pain can be aggravated whenwe walk up or down stairs, kneel or squat, sit with a bent knee for long periods of time

Patellofemoral pain syndrome has been associated with injury, overuse and poor control of muscles. Patellofemoral pain can also occur when the muscles around your hip and knee don’t function well to maintain proper tracking of your kneecap.

 Special Test: McConnell’s Test

PURPOSE:

• Patellofemoral Tracking problems such as patellofemoral pain syndrome (above)

Video Demo Instructions, Procedure, Positive Test:

 

Special Test: McConnell’s Test PROCEDURE:

Part I:

• Patient is seated with legs hanging over the end of the table
• Therapist sits in front of the client
• Therapist instructs patient to externally rotate the femur of the affected leg while performing active resisted isometric contractions of the quadriceps muscles at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 degrees of flexion.
• Therapist notes the painful degrees/ ranges

Part II:

• Therapist passively brings the patient’s knee to full extension, resting the heel on something so the patient relaxes the quadriceps muscles
• then, Therapist glides the affected patella medially and hold the patella it in that position
• Therapist instructs patient to perform isometric contractions at the knee ranges that were painful before

Part III:

• Therapist passively brings the patient’s knee to full extension, resting the heel on something so the patient relaxes the quadriceps muscles
• then, Therapist glides the affected patella laterally and hold the patella it in that position
• Therapist instructs patient to perform isometric contractions at the knee ranges that were painful before

Special Test: McConnells Test:  POSITIVE TEST:

– Pain decreases significantly after holding patella medially = patellofemoral lateral tracking problems
– Pain decreases significantly after holding patella laterally = patellofemoral medial tracking problems
sources: http://www.mayoclinic.org