If anterior knee pain occurs during patella grind test, what pathology is most suggested?

• A. ACL injury
• B. Patellofemoral pathology
• C. Meniscal tear
• D. Osteoarthritis

Answer: (B)

The test targets the patellofemoral joint. When anterior knee pain is produced during the patellar grind, it points to patellofemoral joint pathology—most commonly patellofemoral pain syndrome or chondromalacia patellae. The maneuver compresses the patella against the femoral groove while the quadriceps contracts; if the cartilage is damaged or the patella tracks abnormally, this specific articulation becomes painful, signaling PF pathology rather than other knee structures.

These other conditions don’t fit as well: an ACL injury usually presents with instability and swelling rather than focal anterior knee pain from patellofemoral contact; a meniscal tear causes joint-line pain, popping, or locking rather than isolated patellofemoral pain; osteoarthritis can cause knee pain, but the patellofemoral grind test is more characteristic of PF pathology due to its direct loading of the patellofemoral articulation.