Which test is used to provoke patellofemoral symptoms?

• A. Patellofemoral provocation test
• B. Modified Zohlen Test
• C. Clarke Test
• D. Apley's Test

Answer: (A)

Provoking patellofemoral symptoms comes from loading the joint to reproduce the patient’s typical pain. The patellofemoral provocation test is designed to stress the patellofemoral articulation directly, such as by guiding knee flexion with patellar compression or requiring quadriceps activation to load the patella against the femur. When this loading reproduces anterior knee pain, crepitus, or grinding, it supports patellofemoral involvement and helps confirm patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Other maneuvers on the list relate to patellofemoral pain as well, but the name here explicitly reflects provocation of patellofemoral symptoms, which is why it’s the best choice. Apley’s test, for instance, is used primarily to assess meniscal problems, while the modified Zohlen test isn’t a standard PF-provocation test. Clarke’s test also aims to provoke patellofemoral pain, but the item that directly names the joint-specific provocation is the most fitting match.