Match each clinical presentation of lower extremity pain with its most likely orthopedic diagnosis.
- Anterior knee pain that worsens with descending stairs and is reproducible by patellar compression during quadriceps contraction.Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Stabbing heel pain that is most severe with the first few steps in the morning and gradually improves with ambulation.Plantar fasciitis
- Lateral knee pain in a distance runner, associated with focal tenderness roughly 2-3 cm proximal to the lateral joint line.Iliotibial band syndrome
- Burning forefoot pain and numbness accompanied by a painful click when the metatarsal heads are squeezed together.Morton neuroma
Answer
The presentations map to Patellofemoral pain syndrome (anterior knee with compression pain), Plantar fasciitis (morning heel pain), Iliotibial band syndrome (lateral knee pain in runners), and Morton neuroma (forefoot pain with clicking).
Each condition has a classic hallmark presentation. Patellofemoral pain syndrome affects the anterior knee under the patella. Plantar fasciitis produces hallmark morning heel pain. Iliotibial band syndrome affects the lateral knee near the epicondyle in runners. Morton neuroma produces neuropathic forefoot pain with a palpable click (Mulder sign).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Clinical diagnosis of common outpatient lower extremity orthopedic conditions relies heavily on specific anatomical pain localization and classic provocative clinical findings.