Published August 11, 2026Read time 1 min readReaders 20
What is the "Noble's Test" used for?
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
How to perform the "Noble's Test"?
The patient is supine or side-lying with the injured side up.
With one hand grasp just above the ankle and slowly bend the knee back and forth several times from 0-90°,
while palpating and applying firm pressure on the lateral epicondyle of the femur for crepitus with the thumb of the other hand.
What is the positive result?
Palpable snapping, rubbing or “squeaky hinge-like” crepitus or localized pain that increases with pressure at or above the epicondyle (often at 30° of flexion) indicates ITB syndrome.
References
Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal 3rd Ed. Book
Rosenthal, Michael. (2008). Clinical Testing for Extra-Articular Lateral Knee Pain. A Modification and Combination of Traditional Tests. North American journal of sports physical therapy : NAJSPT. 3. 107-9. Link
