Used to assess for leg length discrepancy With the patient supine, the patient brings the knees so that they are equally flexed to 90 degrees with the hips at roughly 45 degrees of flexion If the heights vary, there may be a leg length discrepancy One leg more anterior on lateral view, […]
Category: Knee
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Used to assess for leg length discrepancy With the patient supine, the patient brings the knees so that they are equally flexed to 90 degrees with the hips at roughly 45 degrees of flexion If the heights vary, there may be a leg length discrepancy One leg more anterior on lateral view, […]
Used to assess for presence of an effusion (excess fluid) in the knee joint With the patient supine, the examiner passively flexes the leg being tested and lifts the ankle up off of the table. The examiner than releases the upper portion of the leg, allowing the knee to extend. Test is considered to be […]
Used to test for issues with patellar tracking or chondromalacia Doctor applies a compressive force to the proximal patella moving it into the trochlear groove. The patient is then instructed to activate the quadriceps muscle by contracting their quadriceps Test is considered to be positive when pain, crepitus, or grinding occurs
Used to differentiate the cause of knee pain between ligamentous and meniscus causes Compression: With the patient prone, flex the knee to 90 degrees, apply a moderate force to the knee into the table and internally and externally rotate If positive (pain produced) then there is either a ligamentous OR a meniscal cause Distraction: Hold the thigh […]
Purpose Assess for ligamentous laxity in the medial and lateral collateral ligaments of the knee Varus: Lateral Collateral Ligaments With the knee slightly flexed, stabilize the distal lower limb and apply a varus force to the knee, causing a stress to the LCL Positive Test = excessive gapping of the joint space Valgus: Medial […]
Used to assess for tears in the meniscus Positive Test = clicking (pain) Medial Meniscus: Externally rotate tibia Apply valgus stress Bring knee into extension Lateral Meniscus: Internally rotate tibia Apply varus stress Bring knee into extension
Used to assess the integrity of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Similar to the anterior drawer test but more sensitive – removes the hamstrings as a factor Patient is supine, knee flexed to 30 degrees – the flexion at 30 degrees is what removes the hamstrings as a factor in the test Physician places one hand around […]
Purpose Assess the integrity of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Steps The patient is supine and the knee flexed to 90 degrees For extra stability, doctor may stabilize the foot by sitting on it Apply a posteriorly directed force with one or both hands to the tibial portion of the knee Test is considered to be positive with […]
Purpose Assess the integrity of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Steps Have the patient in supine position and the knee flexed to 90 degrees Restrict the motion of the foot by sitting on it Apply an anterior force with one or both hands as necessary to the lower leg Test is considered to be positive with increased movement […]
