Stair test is a functional assessment that measures how a person goes up and down stairs. It is commonly used to evaluate knee pain, strength, balance, and day-to-day mobility. Clinicians and physical therapists often use it in osteoarthritis, sports injuries, and post-surgical follow-up. It can be performed in a clinic stairwell, on a standardized step set, or with timed protocols.

Single-leg squat test is a simple movement-based exam where a person squats down and up on one leg while a clinician observes alignment, control, and symptoms. It is commonly used in orthopedics, sports medicine, and physical therapy to assess knee function in a weight-bearing position. The test can help highlight how the hip, knee, ankle, and foot work together during everyday and athletic tasks. It is often used during injury evaluation, rehabilitation progress checks, and return-to-sport decision-making.

Ober test is a hands-on physical exam maneuver used to assess tightness along the outer hip and thigh. It is most commonly used to evaluate the iliotibial band (IT band) and related hip tissues. Clinicians often include it when assessing lateral hip pain, thigh tightness, or certain patterns of knee pain. It is typically performed in a clinic without special equipment.

The Noble compression test is a physical exam maneuver used to assess pain on the outer (lateral) side of the knee. It is most commonly associated with evaluating iliotibial band–related lateral knee pain. A clinician applies pressure near the lateral femoral epicondyle while the knee moves through flexion and extension. It is used in sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical therapy settings during a knee pain workup.

The Patellar glide test is a hands-on knee exam used to assess how freely the kneecap (patella) moves side to side. Clinicians use it to screen for patellofemoral pain, tight soft tissues, or patellar instability. It is commonly performed in orthopedic, sports medicine, and physical therapy evaluations. The test is interpreted in context with symptoms, other exam findings, and (when needed) imaging.

Q-angle measurement is a way to estimate the line of pull of the quadriceps muscle relative to the patella (kneecap). It is commonly used during knee exams to describe alignment that may influence patellar tracking. Clinicians may use it in orthopedics, sports medicine, and physical therapy when evaluating anterior knee pain. It is a clinical measurement that supports (but does not replace) a full diagnosis.

The J-sign is a physical exam finding seen when the kneecap (patella) moves in a “J-shaped” path as the knee straightens. It is most commonly used to evaluate patellar tracking and patellofemoral instability. Clinicians look for it during an office knee exam, often in people with anterior knee pain or a history of the kneecap “slipping.”

The Patellar apprehension test is a physical exam maneuver used to assess suspected kneecap (patella) instability. It looks for “apprehension,” a protective reaction when the patella feels like it may slip out of place. Clinicians commonly use it in orthopedic, sports medicine, and physical therapy knee evaluations. It is a bedside test that complements the history, full knee exam, and imaging when needed.

Clarke test is a hands-on knee exam maneuver used to assess pain around the kneecap. It is sometimes called a patellar grind test in clinical conversation. It is most commonly used in orthopedic, sports medicine, and physical therapy evaluations. It aims to provoke symptoms related to the patellofemoral joint (the kneecap and thighbone).

Patellar grind test is a hands-on knee exam maneuver used to assess pain at the kneecap joint. It is commonly performed in orthopedics, sports medicine, and physical therapy evaluations. The test aims to reproduce symptoms that may come from the patellofemoral joint (where the patella meets the femur). It is one piece of the overall knee assessment, not a stand-alone diagnosis.