Knee Injury PE Tests

Question 1

Lachman

Answer 1

Procedure: 
Patient supine 
Flex knew at 30 degrees
Grasp and stabilize thigh 
Move proximal leg anteriorly 

Structure:
ACL
Positive test= excessive motion of tibia

Question 2

Anterior Drawer

Answer 2

Procedure: 
Patient supine 
Flex knee at 90 degrees 
Sit on Dorsum of foot 
Place hands behind knee and move proximal leg anteriorly 

Structure:
ACL
Positive test= Excessive forward motion of tibia (less sensitive than Lachman test)

Question 3

Posterior Drawer

Answer 3

Procedure:
Patient supine
Flex knee 90 degrees
Palms of hands push proximal leg posteriorly

Structure
PCL

Positive test= Excessive posterior motion of tibia

Question 4

Valgus Stress

Answer 4

Procedure: 
Patient supine 
Knee extended or flexed 30 degrees
Stabilize lateral aspect 
Push ankle laterally 

Structure
MCL
Estimate medial joint space
Positive test= a significant gap in the lateral joint space

Question 5

Varus Stress

Answer 5

Procedure 
Patient supine 
Knee extended or flexed 30 degrees 
Stabilize medial aspect of knee
Push ankle medially 

Structure:
LCL
Estimate lateral joint space
Positive test= a significant gap int he lateral joint space

Question 6

McMurray

Answer 6

Procedure:
Examiner passively flexes the knee with rotation of tibia or foot
Or have patient perform a full two legged squat

Structure:
Medial Meniscus-pain or popping on external rotation
Lateral Meniscus-pain or popping on internal rotation
Joint line tenderness

Question 7

Patellar apprehension

Patellofemoral grind test

Answer 7

Procedure:
Apply laterally directed force toward medial aspect of patella

Apply downward and inferior pressure on patella while patient contracts quadriceps on extended knee

Structure
Apprehension by patient true to pain or fear that patella will dislocate
Pain with movement or unable to complete test
Patellofemoral pathology