Ballottement May 2026

The patient lies flat (supine) with the leg fully extended and relaxed.

Use one hand to firmly stroke downward from the mid-thigh toward the kneecap. This "milks" fluid out of the suprapatellar pouch and into the space behind the patella. ballottement

The patella is already in contact with the bone; there is no sensation of floating or clicking. The patient lies flat (supine) with the leg

This is the most frequent use of the term. It is used to identify a "floating" kneecap, which indicates a moderate-to-large accumulation of fluid (effusion) within the knee joint. The patella is already in contact with the

In pregnancy, ballottement is a "probable sign" used to detect the fetus as it floats in amniotic fluid.

The patella feels like it is "floating." You will feel it move through fluid, click against the femur, and then rebound or "ballotte" back toward your finger.

Suspected knee trauma, arthritis flare-up, or unexplained swelling. Technique: