I Human Case Study on Health & Medical in Physical
Therapy for Knee 2025
Case Analysis
A 63-year old former long distance runner and current tennis player
complains of bilateral knee pain. A deep toothache sensation. She states the pain
started insidiously and has worsened gradually over the past 6 months. The ache
increases with too much walking and standing and she gets relief with sitting and
lying down. Her knees get stiff though if she sits for more than 60 minutes. She
walks off the stiffness within 5-10 minutes. No knee edema or redness is noted and
ROM is slightly decreased with normal end-feels.
I. Introduction and Objectives
Knee pain may suggest various possible pathologies which almost sometimes
have the same manifestations but history and results in physical examination and
radiographic reports will clinically tell the differences. Chondromalacia patellae
(CMP), defined as cartilaginous softening and fibrillation of patellar bone cartilage,
is one of the possible cause of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PFPS is 1 of
the most common causes of anterior knee pain and should be included in the
differential diagnosis for anterior knee pain in every patient. PFPS is characterized
,I Human Case Study on Health & Medical in Physical
Therapy for Knee 2025
as an overuse injury. The exact mechanism of injury is still under investigation, but
Etiology it is believed to stem from mal-tracking of the patella.
• Lateral patellar
tracking PFPS commonly presents in adults who complain of
• Female
• Knocked knee anterior knee pain with activity. This pain can lead to
• Pes planus runner
• Weak significant disability. Early diagnosis and
hamstrings/quadriceps
• Microtrauma treatment may lead to improved patient outcomes and
• Injury/direct blow to
knee
decreased disability and chronicity will be avoided or
reduced. That is why contacting your doctor is the best if you have knee pain that
doesn't go away or if your knee catches, gives way, or looks swollen and puffy.
This analysis aims to determine and address the condition in this case and
discuss about it and its pathophysiology and disease process. By knowing this, it will
help in recognizing factors that will lead to such conditions. This may aid in escaping
or decreasing the possible risks of this complaint. In this case analysis, you will be
given the information needed to learn about the possible diagnosis of the patient,
from its etiology down to its treatment.
II. Pathophysiology and Diagram
A. Diagram
, I Human Case Study on Health & Medical in Physical
Therapy for Knee 2025
Signs and symptoms
• Pain on prolonged sitting
• Pain during running,
jumping, squatting, stair
climbing
• Loss of quadriceps
strength
• Sense of vague tightness
on knee
Diagnostic tools
• Patient history
Disease Process • Physical exam
• Special test
-clarkes test
-lachman test
-anterior /posterior drawer test
If not If -adduction /abduction test
treated treated • X-ray
• MRI
Prognosis:
FAIR
Therapy for Knee 2025
Case Analysis
A 63-year old former long distance runner and current tennis player
complains of bilateral knee pain. A deep toothache sensation. She states the pain
started insidiously and has worsened gradually over the past 6 months. The ache
increases with too much walking and standing and she gets relief with sitting and
lying down. Her knees get stiff though if she sits for more than 60 minutes. She
walks off the stiffness within 5-10 minutes. No knee edema or redness is noted and
ROM is slightly decreased with normal end-feels.
I. Introduction and Objectives
Knee pain may suggest various possible pathologies which almost sometimes
have the same manifestations but history and results in physical examination and
radiographic reports will clinically tell the differences. Chondromalacia patellae
(CMP), defined as cartilaginous softening and fibrillation of patellar bone cartilage,
is one of the possible cause of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PFPS is 1 of
the most common causes of anterior knee pain and should be included in the
differential diagnosis for anterior knee pain in every patient. PFPS is characterized
,I Human Case Study on Health & Medical in Physical
Therapy for Knee 2025
as an overuse injury. The exact mechanism of injury is still under investigation, but
Etiology it is believed to stem from mal-tracking of the patella.
• Lateral patellar
tracking PFPS commonly presents in adults who complain of
• Female
• Knocked knee anterior knee pain with activity. This pain can lead to
• Pes planus runner
• Weak significant disability. Early diagnosis and
hamstrings/quadriceps
• Microtrauma treatment may lead to improved patient outcomes and
• Injury/direct blow to
knee
decreased disability and chronicity will be avoided or
reduced. That is why contacting your doctor is the best if you have knee pain that
doesn't go away or if your knee catches, gives way, or looks swollen and puffy.
This analysis aims to determine and address the condition in this case and
discuss about it and its pathophysiology and disease process. By knowing this, it will
help in recognizing factors that will lead to such conditions. This may aid in escaping
or decreasing the possible risks of this complaint. In this case analysis, you will be
given the information needed to learn about the possible diagnosis of the patient,
from its etiology down to its treatment.
II. Pathophysiology and Diagram
A. Diagram
, I Human Case Study on Health & Medical in Physical
Therapy for Knee 2025
Signs and symptoms
• Pain on prolonged sitting
• Pain during running,
jumping, squatting, stair
climbing
• Loss of quadriceps
strength
• Sense of vague tightness
on knee
Diagnostic tools
• Patient history
Disease Process • Physical exam
• Special test
-clarkes test
-lachman test
-anterior /posterior drawer test
If not If -adduction /abduction test
treated treated • X-ray
• MRI
Prognosis:
FAIR
