Orthopedic, Psychiatric, Endocarditis Physical Practice Exam

In a knee-focused examination, you palpate landmarks that sit directly around the knee joint to assess tenderness, swelling, and alignment. The patella and patellar tendon are routinely palpated to check for patellofemoral pain or tendon tenderness. The tibial tuberosity is felt as the insertion point of the patellar tendon and helps identify tenderness or apophysitis. The popliteal fossa is examined for signs of swelling, a Baker’s cyst, or to feel the popliteal pulse, which relates to posterior knee structures.

The lateral malleolus is at the outer ankle, the distal end of the fibula. It is not a knee joint landmark and is not typically palpated during a knee exam. It belongs to the ankle/lower leg assessment, not the knee-focused evaluation.