Patellofemoral Crepitation Test

Published July 2, 2026 Read time 1 min read Readers 1
Patellofemoral Crepitation Test

What is the "Patellofemoral Crepitation Test" used for?

  • Patellofemoral Crepitation Test is used in evaluation of chondromalacia (especially grades II and III)

How to perform the "Patellofemoral Crepitation Test"?

  • The examiner kneels in front of the patient and asks the patient to crouch down or do a deep knee bend. 
  • The examiner listens for sounds posterior to the patella.

What is the positive result?

  • Crepitation (“snow ball crunch” sound) suggests severe chondromalacia (grades II and III). Painless cracking sounds like those that occur in almost everyone during the first or second deep knee bend have no significance. For this reason, the patient is asked to do several deep knee bends. Usually the insignificant cracking sounds will decrease in intensity.
  • In the absence of any audible retropatellar crepitation, the examiner may safely conclude that no severe retropatellar cartilage damage is present.