Exam 3 - Knee Stress Tests Flashcards
What stress test is used to test for MCL injury?
Valgus stress test
Describe the functional test for return to activity following an injury to the lower extremity.
- full weight bearing
- walk normally
- straight ahead jogging with gradual increase in speed
- multi-directional running drills
- weaves
- zig-zags
- figure 8’s
- sport-specific practice drills
- full athletic participation
What are the two knee positions for the valgus stress test?
Terminal extension
30 degree flexion - eliminates screw-home mech
Describe the valgus stress test
- proximal hand on lateral joint line
- distal hand on medial malleolus
- thigh on table - only move lower leg
- looking for gapping on medial border*
Describe the varus stress test for the LCL
- looking for gapping on lateral border*
- Knee at 0 and 30 degrees (eliminate screw-home)
- Proximal hand at distal medial border of femur
- Distal hand at lateral malleolus
What are the 3 tests for the ACL?
- Lachman test
- Anterior drawer test
- Pivot-shift test
What are the 3 tests for the PCL?
- Posterior drawer test
- Posterior sag test
- Quad activating test
Describe the McMurray test for the meniscus
- proximal hand on inferior border of patella
- various motions to illicit popping sound
What test is used to test the patella?
Apprehension test
- knee at 30 degrees with leg over yours
Describe the Lachman test for the ACL
Tests how far tibia comes forward
Two parts:
1) perception of anterior motion - anterior tibial translation
2) quality of endpoint
- sensation one feels as the stress in the ligament increases and the displacement of the tibia anteriorly suddenly stops
- when the ligament is torn, endpoint is absent
What is the method of the Lachman test?
- flex knee to 30 degrees to eliminate screwhome
- Distal hand - posterior proximal tibia
- Proximal hand - distal femur
Pull tibia forward and gauge anterior translation
Describe the anterior drawer test
- Supine with knee at 90 degrees
- sit on foot
- foot in line with femur
- both hands on proximal tibia
Pull tibia forward
Describe the Pivot-shift test for the ACL
- athlete supine
- flex hit 30-45 degrees
- knee fully extended
- lower leg internally rotated
- valgus force applied to knee
- pressure is directed against the head of the fibula in attempt to rotate it forward and around from lateral to medial
- flex and extend the knee
- positive test the tibia will sublux on the femur
Describe the posterior drawer test for the PCL
- athlete supine
- knee at 90 degrees
- foot in line with knee
- sit on foot
Push proximal head of tibia posteriorly
Posterior sag test for PCL
- align both knees at 90 degrees
- look from lateral to see if tibial tuberosities are aligned
- gravity pulls tibia backwards
