Which exam finding is common with pes anserine bursitis?

• A. Local swelling
• B. Tenderness along the medial joint line
• C. Pain with palpation to the medial tibia just inferior to the plateau
• D. Movement coordination impairment with step down placing increased stress over medial aspect of the knee

Answer: (B)

Pes anserine bursitis is inflammation of the bursa located on the medial proximal tibia where the sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus tendons insert. The key exam sign is focal tenderness in that medial knee region, typically just distal to the medial joint line where the pes anserinus lies. Palpation over this site reproduces pain, helping distinguish bursitis from medial meniscal injury, which tends to produce true joint-line symptoms or mechanical locking. While mild swelling may be present, the most specific finding is tenderness at the pes anserine insertion along the medial aspect near the joint line. Functional tests like a step-down that increase medial stress are less characteristic of this condition.