Knee Special Tests

Knee Special Tests

Multiple Select

Assesses for collateral knee ligament damage

• Apley's Distraction Test

• Anterior Drawer Test

• Apley's Compression Test

• Valgus Stress Test

• Varus Stress Test

Collateral Ligament Damage

Can be assessed by:

Valgus Stress Test (MCL) + is excessive movement medially , pain or mushy end feel

Varus Stress Test (LCL) + is excessive movement laterally, pain or gapping

Apley's Distraction Test (both) + is pain (on medial or lateral side)

Apley's Compression Test (both) + is pain (on medial or lateral side)

*use both Apley's tests together to differentiate meniscus injury

Multiple Choice

The picture indicates which knee injury?

• Osgood-Schlatter

• chondromalacia

• torn meniscus

• patella dislocation

Multiple Select

What test(s) would you use to identify this condtion?

• Anterior Drawer Test

• Clarke's Sign

• Lachman Test

• Gravity Drawer Test

• Apley's Distraction Test

Sprained or Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament

- deceleration, twisting

- resists anterior movement of tibia, and med. rotation of knee

Tested with:

Anterior Drawer Test (leg bent, push down) + excessive anterior movement, pain, mushy end feel

Lachman Test (leg straight, pull up) + movement, pain, mushy end feel

Multiple Choice

This picture indicates what injury?

• torn MCL

• torn hamstring

• bicep femoral tendon tear

• meniscus tear

Multiple Select

What test(s) would you use to confirm?

• Valgus Stress Test

• Posterior Drawer Test

• Gravity Test

• Apley's Distraction Test

Multiple Choice

Which special test is used to determine the integrity of the LCL?

• Apley's Compression Test

• Posterior Drawer

• Valgus Stress Test

• Varus Stress Test

Multiple Select

Which special test(s) can be used to determine the integrity of the ACL? Select all that apply

• Apley's Compression Test

• Posterior Drawer

• Anterior Drawer

• Lachman's

Multiple Select

Which special test is used to determine the integrity of the Meniscus?

• Apley's Compression Test

• Posterior Drawer

• Valgus Stress Test

• Apley's Distraction Test

Meniscus

Fibrocartilage, for shock absorption between tibia and femur; gives tibia concave surface.

Special Tests:

Apley's Compression Test: + for pain at medial or lateral joint line (may be from collateral ligaments too so also perform Distraction test)

Apley's Distraction Test: (Differentiate but always done together) To test for the integrity of the Collateral Knee Ligaments + pain on medial or lateral side

Multiple Choice

Which special test is used to determine the integrity of the MCL?

• Lachman's Test

• Posterior Drawer

• Valgus Stress Test

• Varus Stress Test

Multiple Choice

Which knee ligament stability test is used for the lateral collateral ligament?

• Valgus
• Anterior Drawer
• Varus
• Posterior Drawer

Multiple Choice

The anterior drawer and lachman will help the assessor determine the stability of which ligament?

• PCL
• MCL
• LCL
• ACL

Multiple Choice

In which case would it be best to use Clarke's Sign?

• audible and palpable crepitus at patella

• posterior knee pain

• visible enlargement over patella

• pain at lateral epicondyle of femur

Clarke's Sign

assesses for patellofemoral pain syndrome

Pin femoral condyles just superior to patella and have client contract quads, Do this at increasing levels of pressure starting with light.

+ pain, apprehension, or crepitus with contraction of quads

Multiple Select

Which tests assess for ITB friction Syndrome?

• Noble's Compression Test

• Apley's Compression Test

• Ober's Test

• Gravity Drawer Test

ITB Friction Syndrome

Special Tests

Ober's Test: clt sidelying, bring top leg into abduction and hyperextension (with pelvis remaining aligned). Let go of leg.

+ leg does not drop below horizontal

Noble Compression Test: clt supine with flexed knee, apply pressure to ITB just proximal to lateral , then extend knee

+ pain felt at ~30 degrees flexion

Multiple Select

MOI: car accident

What tests are most applicable?

• Posterior Drawer Test

• Clarke's SIgn

• Gravity Drawer Test

• Anterior Drawer Test

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

A car accident would most likely result in the anterior knee hitting the dashboard resulting in a PCL injury.

Posterior Drawer Test

Gravity Test

would be indicated