05/09/2025
SPECIAL TESTS đĻĩâĄī¸
1. Lachman Test
âī¸Purpose: Detect ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury
đ¸ī¸Position: Patient supine, knee flexed ~20-30°
đˇī¸Procedure: Stabilize femur; pull tibia anteriorly
đPositive: Soft or mushy end feel, excessive anterior tibial movement.
2. Anterior Drawer Test
âī¸Purpose: Assess ACL integrity
đ¸ī¸Position: Supine, knee flexed 90°, foot flat and stabilized
đˇī¸Procedure: Pull tibia forward
đPositive: Excessive anterior glide of tibia compared to the other leg.
3. Posterior Drawer Test
âī¸Purpose: Detect PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) injury
đ¸ī¸Same position as Anterior Drawer
đˇī¸ī¸Procedure: Push tibia posteriorly
đī¸Positive: Excessive backward movement.
4. Varus Stress Test
âī¸Purpose: Assess LCL (lateral collateral ligament) integrity
đ¸ī¸Position: Supine, knee slightly flexed (20-30°)
đˇī¸Procedure: Apply inward (varus) force to knee
đPositive: Pain or lateral gapping.
5. Valgus Stress Test
âī¸Purpose: Assess MCL (medial collateral ligament) integrity
đ¸ī¸Same as above, but apply outward (valgus) force
đPositive: Pain or medial gapping.
6. McMurray Test
âī¸Purpose: Detects meniscus tears
đ¸ī¸Position: Supine, hip and knee flexed
đˇī¸Procedure:
đšī¸Medial meniscus: Externally rotate tibia + extend knee
đšī¸Lateral meniscus: Internally rotate tibia + extend
đPositive: Click or pain along the joint line.
7. Apley's Compression & Distraction Test
âī¸Purpose: Assess meniscal vs ligamentous injury
đ¸ī¸Position: Prone, knee flexed 90°
đˇī¸Compression: Downward force with rotation = meniscus issue
đˇī¸Distraction: Upward traction + rotation = ligament issue
đPositive: Pain during compression â meniscus; pain during distraction â ligament.
9. Patellar Apprehension Test
âī¸Purpose: Assess patellar instability
đī¸Procedure: Push patella laterally while knee is slightly flexed
đPositive: Apprehension or attempt to guard knee.
10. Clarke's Test (Patellar Grind Test)
âī¸Purpose: Patellofemoral pain syndrome
đī¸Procedure: Press down on patella while patient contracts quadriceps
đPositive: Pain or crepitus under patella.
đ Anterior Drawer Sign > ACL
đ Posterior Drawer Sign> PCL
đ McMurray Test > Meniscal Tear
đ Apley's Test > Meniscal or ligamentous
đ Patellar Tap Test > Swelling
đ Patellar Grind > Patellofemoral dysfunction
đ Lachman's Test > Anterior cruciate ligament
đ Valgus Stress Test > Medial cruciate ligament
đ Varus Stress Test > Lateral cruciate ligament
đ Apprehension Test > Dislocation of patella