Lab-Approach to Knee Exam

Question 1

As the foot dorsi-flexes, how does the fibular head move?

Answer 1

anteriorly

Question 2

As the foot plantar flexes, how does the fibular head move?

Answer 2

posteriorly

Question 3

What is the valgus test used for?

Answer 3

to test for medial collateral ligament injury

Question 4

what is a positive valgus test?

Answer 4

laxity or soft/absent endpoint, or pain

Question 5

How do you perform the valgus test?

Answer 5

apply medial force on knee while abducting lower leg; perform at 30 and 0 degrees

Question 6

what is the varus test used for?

Answer 6

to test for lateral collateral ligament injury

Question 7

what is a positive varus test?

Answer 7

increased laxity or soft/absent endpoint, or pain

Question 8

how do you perform the varus test?

Answer 8

lateral force on the knee while adducting the lower leg

Question 9

What is Lachman’s test used for?

Answer 9

to test ACL injury

Question 10

How do you perform Lachman’s test?

Answer 10

stabilize thigh and pull tibia anteriorly

Question 11

what does McMurray’s test used for?

Answer 11

to test for meniscus injury or tear

Question 12

how do you perform the McMurray test on a medial meniscus?

Answer 12

tibia is rotated externally while valgus stress is applied to the knee. then the leg is moved into extension

Question 13

how do you perform the McMurray test on a lateral meniscus?

Answer 13

tibia is rotated internally while varus stress is applied to the knee. then move leg into extension

Question 14

what is a positive McMurray test?

Answer 14

palpable click OR pain during extension

Question 15

What is the indication for the apley’s grind test-compression test?

Answer 15

possible meniscal injury, collateral ligament injury, or both

Question 16

what is the bounce home test used for?

Answer 16

to test for a meniscus injury or effusion or both

Question 17

what is a positive bounce home test?

Answer 17

failure to fully extend the knee

Question 18

What is the patella-femoral grind used for?

Answer 18

to diagnose chondromalacia patella

Question 19

What is the normal ROM degree of flexion of the knee?

Answer 19

145-150 degrees

Question 20

What is the normal ROM degree of extension of the knee?

Answer 20

0 degrees

Question 21

What is the normal ROM degree of internal rotation of the knee?

Answer 21

10 degrees

Question 22

What is the normal ROM degree of external rotation of the knee?

Answer 22

10 degrees

Question 23

What is the normal ROM degree of the fibular head motion?

Answer 23

~30 degrees

Question 24

How would test for the L1-L3 nerve roots?

Answer 24

by checking sensation over the anteromedial thigh

Question 25

How would you test the L4 nerve roots?

Answer 25

by checking sensation over the knee

Question 26

How would you test the L5 nerve roots?

Answer 26

by checking sensation over the anterior leg and big toe

Question 27

if you get pain with both distraction and rotation, why might you have?

Answer 27

collateral ligament damage

Question 28

if you get relief of pain with distraction and rotation, what might you have?

Answer 28

meniscal injury