National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Practice Test

Which condition is associated with a "catching" sensation in the knee joint?

1. Meniscus tear

2. Patellar tendonitis

3. Anterior cruciate ligament injury

4. Patellar dislocation

The correct answer is: Meniscus tear

The condition associated with a "catching" sensation in the knee joint is a meniscus tear. The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage in the knee that acts as a cushion between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). When a tear occurs, fragments of the meniscus can become lodged within the joint space, leading to a sensation of catching or locking during movement. This symptom often presents during activities that involve twisting or squatting, which can exacerbate the catching sensation as the torn meniscus interacts with the articulating surfaces of the knee. In contrast, while patellar tendonitis may cause pain or discomfort in the knee, it typically manifests as tenderness and redness rather than a mechanical sensation like catching. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are often characterized by instability and a feeling of the knee giving way, but not specifically by the catching sensation. Patellar dislocations may lead to acute pain and sometimes a feeling of a displacement, but the hallmark symptom is often acute swelling and an inability to extend the knee rather than catching. Thus, the specific mechanics of a meniscus tear make it the condition most closely associated with the described catching sensation.