Knee Tests Flashcards
(19 cards)
1st elements of knee examination
Gait, functional movements ie.
Squats, lunges, sitting/standing. Toe touch, on leg stand.
What is the foot, ankle, lower leg, knee, femur, hip doing?
Valgus or Varus?
Pelvic levels
Special history questions
Specific mechanism of injury? Age? (Teenagers = plica syndrome) Pain up/down stairs? Swelling? Sudden/slow Running/walking surface
Lachman’s test
ACL
20-30 degrees flexion with externally rotated slightly, the pull tibia anteriorly, push femur posteriorly.
Anterior translation of the tibia associated with a soft or a mushy end-feel indicates a positive test.
Anterior draw
ACL
Patient supine with knee at 90° pulls tibia anteriorly.
Positive = pain, excessive motion
Posterior lag sign
PCL
Patient supine with knees flexed at 90°. Compare prominence of tibial tuberosities bilaterally.
Posterior draw
PCL
Patient supine with knee flexed at 90° and pushes knee posteriorly.
Positive = pain, increased motion
Quad active test
PCL
Positive causes tibia to move anteriorly and eliminates posterior lag.
Valgus stress test
MCL
Knee at 0° & 30°
Positive = pain, increased motion/gapping
Varus stress test
LCL
Knee at 0° & 30°
Positive = pain, increased motion/gapping
Apley’s
Meniscus
prone position with the knee flexed to 90 degrees and compress with rotation.
Positive = pain
Thessaly / Disco
Meniscus
Stand on one leg and twist knee
Positive for pain
McMurrays
Meniscus
From a position of maximal flexion, extend the knee with internal rotation (IR) of the tibia and a VARUS stress, then return to maximal flexion and extend the knee with external rotation (ER) of the tibia and a VALGUS stress.
Positive = Pain, snapping, audible clicking or locking can indicate a compromised meniscus.
Patellar grind / Clarke’s test
To detect disorder (patellofemoral pain syndrome, chondromalacia patellae, patellofemoral DJD)
Positive = pain
Waldron / squat test
Patellafemoral joint dysfunction - chondromalacia Patella
Palpate patella during squat and rise.
Positive = pain, grinding
Single leg stance / hop
Patellar tendinopathy (strongly suggested when chondromalacia tests are negative
Pain with functional assessment, excessive pelvic movement = weak abdominals,
Renne test
ITB pain/dysfunction
Standing squat, rise (pressure above lateral epicondyle & active knee flexion & extension). Best movement to replicate ITB tension
Ober’s
Tight/contracted/inflamed TFL or ITB
Positive = the leg would remain in the abducted position and the patient would experience lateral knee pain
Nobel’s
ITB Dysfunction
Same position as Ober’s but apply pressure over lateral epicondyle with passive knee flexion & extension.
Ege’s test
Meniscus
Weight bearing McMurrays
Squat with feet turned outwards (medial meniscus) or inwards (lateral meniscus)
