LE Special Tests Flashcards
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for Ely’s test.
Prone
Passively flex the patient’s knee.
Positive test indicated by spontaneous hip flexion occurring with knee flexion may be indicative of rectus femoris contracture.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for Ober’s test.
Side lying with the lower leg flexed at the hip and knee.
Move the test leg into hip extension and abduction and then attempt to slowly lower the test leg.
Positive for iliotibial band or TFL contracture indicated by inability of the test leg to adduct and touch the table.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for the piriformis test.
Sidelying with test leg positioned in 60 degrees of flexion
Place one hand on the patient’s pelvis and the other on the knee. Apply a downward force on the knee (adduction) as the pelvis is stabilized.
Piriformis tightness or compression of the sciatic nerve is indicated by pain or tightness
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for the Thomas test.
Supine with legs fully extended.
Ask the patient to bring one of their knees to their chest. Observe the position of the contralateral hip while the patient holds the flexed hip.
Positive test indicated by the straight leg rising from the table. May indicate a hip flexion contracture.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for the Tripod sign.
Sitting with knees flexed to 90 degrees over the edge of the table
Passively extend the patient’s knee.
Positive test indicated by tightness in the hamstrings or extension of the trunk in order to limit the effect of the tight hamstrings.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for the 90-90 SLR test.
Supine with knees bent to 90 degrees.
Ask the patient to alternately extend the knee as much as possible while keep the hips flexed to 90 degrees.
Positive test indicated by the knee remaining in 20 degrees or more of flexion and is indicative of hamstring tightness.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for Barlow’s test.
Supine with hips flexed to 90 degrees and knees flexed.
Test each hip individually by stabilizing the femur and pelvis with one hand while the other hand moves the test leg into adduction while applying forward pressure posterior to the greater trochanter.
Positive test indicated by a click or a clunk and may be indicative of hip dislocation being reduced.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for Ortolani’s test.
Supine with hips flexed to 90 degrees and knees flexed.
Grasp the legs to that the thumb is placed along the patient’s medial thighs and the fingers are placed on the lateral thighs towards the buttocks. Abduct the patient’s hips and gentle pressure is applied to the greater trochanters until resistance is felt at approximately 30 degrees.
Positive test indicated by a click or a clunk and may be indicative of a dislocation being reduced.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for the Anterior labral tear test.
Place the patient’s hip in full flexion, ER and abduction. Then, move the hip into extension, IR and adduction.
Positive test indicated by presence of pain or a click. Used to diagnose an anterior labral tear, but may also indicate iliopsoas tendonitis or anterior superior impingement.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for Craig’s test.
Prone with the test knee flexed to 90 degrees.
Palpate the posterior aspect of the greater trochanter and medially/laterally rotate the hip until the greater trochanter is parallel with the table.
Degree of femoral anteversion corresponds to the angle formed by the lower leg with the perpendicular axis of the table. Normal anteversion for an adult is 8-15 degrees.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for Patrick’s test (FABER).
Supine with the test leg flexed, abduction and ER at the hip onto the opposite leg.
Slowly lower the test leg through abduction forwards the table.
Positive test indicated by failure of the test leg to abduct below the level of the opposite leg and may be indicative of iliopsoas, sacroiliac or hip joint abnormalities.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for the Quadrant scouring test.
Supine
Passively flex and adduct the hip with the knee in maximal flexion. Apply a compressive force through the shaft of the femur while continuing to passively move the patient’s hip.
Positive test indicated by grinding, catching or crepitation in the hip and may be indicative of arthritis, avascular necrosis, or an osteochondral defect.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for the Trendelenburg test.
Standing
Ask patient to stand on one leg for approximately 10 seconds
Positive test indicated by drop of the pelvis on the unsupported side and may be indicative of weakness of the gluteus Medius muscle on the supported side.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for the Anterior drawer test.
Supine with the knee flexed to 90 degrees and the hip flexed to 45 degrees.
Stabilize the lower leg by sitting on the forefoot. Grasp the patient’s proximal tibia with two hands, place the thumbs on the tibial plateaus and administer an anterior directed force of the tibia on the femur.
Positive test indicated by excessive anterior translation of the tibia on the femur with a diminished or absent end point and may be indicative of an ACL injury.
Describe the position, procedure, and positive findings for the Lachman test.
Supine with the knee flexed to 20-30 degrees.
Stabilize the distal femur with one hand and place the other hand on the proximal tibia. Apply an anterior directed force of the tibia on the femur.
Positive test indicated by excessive anterior translation of the tibia on the femur with a diminished or absent end point and may be indicative of an ACL injury.
