Knee Assessment

Question 1

What joint(s) are we concerned with testing when assessing the knee?

Answer 1

Tibiofemoral joint and patellofemoral joint

Question 2

What ligaments provide stability in the knee joints and what movements do they prevent?

Answer 2

ACL - prevents anterior translation of tibia from the femur
PCL - prevents posterior translation of tibia from the femur
MCL - prevents valgus stress
LCL - prevents varus stress

Question 3

What is the closed packed position of the knee?

Answer 3

Extension

Question 4

In regards to the menisci, which is C-shaped and which is O-shaped?

Answer 4

Medial - C shaped

Lateral - O shaped

Question 5

What are the rule outs before assessing the knee?

Answer 5

Ankle - All movements AF, overpressure if pain free
Hip - AF flexion and AF medial rotation, overpressure if pain free
Superior tbiofibular joint

Question 6

What are the three joint effusion tests?

Answer 6

1. Brush/stroke/wipe test
2. Fluctuation test
3. Patellar tap test

Question 7

Do you perform joint effusion tests before or after functional tests?

Answer 7

Both prior to and after doing functional tests - this allows you to ascertain if the functional tests have caused any increase in the swelling by inflaming the joint

Question 8

Name the 4 movements in the knee joint during functional tests and their normal ROM (in degrees)

Answer 8

Flexion - 135 degrees
Extension - 0 degrees
Internal rotation - 10 degrees
External rotation - 10 degrees

Question 9

In regards to special tests there are 3 categories of tests. What are they?

Answer 9

Joint stability tests, meniscal tests, patellar tests

Question 10

Joint stability tests can further be broken into two sub categories. What are they?

Answer 10

Collateral ligaments and Cruciate ligaments

Question 11

What does a sag sign test for, and why is it important to test prior to the anterior drawer test?

Answer 11

Sag sign tests for integrity of PCL. If you perform anterior drawer test without testing the PCL you may have a false positive.

Question 12

Name two tests done for the ACL and two tests done for the PCL

Answer 12

ACL - Anterior Drawer test, Lachmans test

PCL - Sag sign, Posterior Drawer test

Question 13

What position is the client in when performing the McMurrays meniscal test?

Answer 13

Supine

Question 14

Does the Apley’s compression test for the medial or lateral meniscus?

Answer 14

Tests both menisci simultaneously.

Question 15

What is the positive sign for the Bounce Home test?

Answer 15

The knee stops short and a rubbery resistance to full extension is felt.

Question 16

Why is the Patella Femoral Grinding test (Clarke’s test) not usually performed?

Answer 16

This test will cause pain in a large percentage of the population even if they have no signs or symptoms.

Question 17

During a Patellar femoral compression test, what angles of flexion do you test at?

Answer 17

30, 60 and 90

Question 18

When doing a Patellar apprehension test, which direction do you carefully push the patella?

Answer 18

Laterally

Question 19

You suspect your client has IT Band Friction syndrome (aka runners knee). What special test do you perform?

Answer 19

Noble Compression test.