Knee joint Exam

Question 1

Normal flexion value for the knee

Answer 1

145-150

Question 2

Normal extension value for the knee

Answer 2

0

Question 3

Normal internal and external rotation value for the knee

Answer 3

10

Question 4

What do you need to palpate on the knee?

Answer 4

Patella, patellar tendon, tibial tuberosity, medial and lateral joint line, popliteal fossa

Question 5

Anteromedial thigh dermatome

Answer 5

L1-L3

Question 6

Patella dermatome

Answer 6

L4

Question 7

Big toe and anterior leg dermatome

Answer 7

L5

Question 8

What are the specialty tests for knee exams?

Answer 8

Valgus test, varus test, lachman, anterior and posterior drawer test, mcmurrays test, Apley’s grind compression/distraction, bounce home test, patella-femoral grind and bulge sign

Question 9

What are the specialty tests for testing knee ligaments?

Answer 9

Valgus test, varus test, lachman, anterior and posterior drawer test

Question 10

What are the specialty tests for testing meniscus?

Answer 10

Mcmurrays, Apley’s Grind compression and distraction, bounce home test

Question 11

How would you perform a valgus test and what are you testing?

Answer 11

Medial collateral ligament;

pt supine, slightly flex knee to 30 degrees, ABduct lower leg and apply valgus (medial force) at knee

Question 12

How would you perform a varus test and what are you testing?

Answer 12

Lateral collateral ligament;

pt supine, slightly flex knee to 30 degrees, ADDuct lower leg and apply varus (lateral force) at knee

Question 13

What are you looking for in the ligament testing of the knee?

Answer 13

Laxity or pain

Question 14

How would you perform a lachman’s test and what are you testing?

Answer 14

ACL;

pt supine, flex knee 10-30 degrees and stabilize thigh with one hand and then pull tibia anteriorly

Question 15

How would you perform an anterior drawer test and what are you testing?

Answer 15

ACL;

pt supine, flex knee to 90 degrees and have foot flat on ground, use both hands to pull tibia anteriorly

Question 16

How would you perform a posterior drawer test and what are you testing?

Answer 16

PCL;

pt supine, knee flexed to 90 degrees and have foot flat on ground, use both hands to push posteriorly on tibia

Question 17

Describe a mcmurrays test for the medial meniscus

Answer 17

pt supine, flex hip and knee, externally rotate tibia and press inward (valgus) at the knee and then EXTEND

Question 18

Describe a mcmurrays test for the lateral meniscus

Answer 18

pt supine, flex hip and knee, internally rotate tibia and press outward (varus) at the knee and then EXTEND

Question 19

What symptoms are you looking for when doing a mcmurray’s test?

Answer 19

Palpable clicking or pain

Question 20

How would you perform an Apley’s Grind compression test?

Answer 20

pt PRONE, knee flexed, load into heel and then internally and externally rotate

Question 21

How would you perform an Apley’s Grind distraction test?

Answer 21

pt PRONE, knee flexed, pull up and rotate

Question 22

What symptoms are you looking for when doing an Apley’s Grind test?

Answer 22

Pain with compression/rotation, distraction OR

Relief of pain with distraction

Question 23

How would you apply a bounce home test?

Answer 23

pt supine, slightly flex knee and then release and it should bounce back at end point

Question 24

What would lack of bounce or lack of full extension on a bounce home test suggest?

Answer 24

Meniscus tear or effusion

Question 25

How would you perform a patella-femoral grind test?

Answer 25

pt supine, leg extended, place hand on kneecap and have them tighten quads - looking for crepitus or pain

Question 26

What does a positive patella-femoral grind test suggest?

Answer 26

Roughness of articulating surface

Question 27

How would you perform a Bulge sign test?

Answer 27

pt supine, place hand above knee cap and press downward and then medial/lateral looking for a bulge of fluid