American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What condition develops from overuse or constant friction and stress on the proximal anteromedial tibia?

1. Patellar tendinitis

2. Iliotibial band syndrome

3. Pes anserine bursitis

4. Plica syndrome

The correct answer is: Pes anserine bursitis

The condition that develops from overuse or constant friction and stress on the proximal anteromedial tibia is pes anserine bursitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the bursa located between the tendons of the sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus muscles, which attach to the anteromedial aspect of the tibia. Pes anserine bursitis often arises in athletes or individuals who engage in activities that require repetitive knee flexion and/or strain on the medial side of the knee. Factors contributing to its development include overtraining, poor biomechanics, and muscle imbalances. The resulting friction can lead to localized pain, tenderness, and swelling over the area of the bursa, particularly exacerbated by activities such as running or climbing stairs. The other conditions mentioned, while they may also cause knee pain, are associated with different mechanisms or anatomical structures that do not specifically correlate with the proximal anteromedial tibia. For instance, patellar tendinitis typically involves the tendon of the patella, iliotibial band syndrome affects the lateral aspect of the knee from friction of the iliotibial band, and plica syndrome involves irritation of the synovial plica, which is distinct