Understanding Knee Taps: What They Reveal About Your Knee Health

The American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that knee stress is the cause of one-third of all musculoskeletal problems in the country. Proper diagnosis of knee problems requires an understanding of the different parts of the knee and how they work together. Doctors tap your kneecap to test your knee's reflexes which helps them to make a diagnosis. Tapping your knee cap can be done at home, but diagnosis will be difficult without medical expertise.

Things You'll Need

• Flat table
• Tendon hammer

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Instructions

Tapping A Kneecap

• 1

  Sit upright on a flat surface. Allow enough room so that both feet can hang freely.

• 2

  Tapping a knee tests its reflexes.

  Have another person gently tap the area where the bottom of your kneecap meets your shin. Wait to see if the knee gently rocks back and forth in response to the tap.

• 3

  Repeat the action for the other knee.