American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What condition is characterized by bogginess and tenderness at the inferior aspect of the knee?

1. Patellar tendonitis

2. Pes anserine bursitis

3. Prepatellar bursitis

4. Ilio-tibial band syndrome

The correct answer is: Prepatellar bursitis

The condition characterized by bogginess and tenderness at the inferior aspect of the knee is prepatellar bursitis. This condition, often referred to as "housemaid's knee," occurs due to inflammation of the bursa located in front of the kneecap (patella). When the prepatellar bursa becomes irritated, usually due to repetitive trauma or prolonged kneeling, it can result in swelling and tenderness directly above the kneecap. In prepatellar bursitis, the clinical presentation often includes local warmth, swelling, and tenderness, especially noted when palpating the area around the bursa. The bogginess observed is due to the accumulation of fluid from the inflamed bursa, giving a soft and swollen appearance to the area. Other conditions listed have different presentations and locations for tenderness or swelling. Patellar tendonitis usually presents with pain below the kneecap and is more associated with activities that stress the patellar tendon, while pes anserine bursitis presents with tenderness on the medial aspect of the knee, specifically at the attachment site of the tendons of the sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus muscles. Iliotibial band syndrome presents with lateral knee pain and is related to friction between