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< Back Pivot Shift Test Pivot Shift Test For ACL integrity. The examiner applies an internal rotation and valgus force to the extended knee and if there is an ACL tear, the tibia will usually sublux anterolaterally on the femur (Part1 - subluxation). A flexion and valgus force are then applied to the knee and while flexing the knee, the iliotibial band goes from an extensor to flexor of the knee and will visibly reduce any subluxation (Part2 – Reduction). Thus, it is a reduction of a subluxated tibia with flexion that is a positive pivot shift test. Remember, the iliotibial band should be intact to get an accurate result. The test has a sensitivity of 0.18 to 0.48 and a specificity of 0.97 to 0.99. Previous Next

< Back Noble Compression Test Noble Compression Test - Identifies distal IT band friction syndrome. - The patient lies in the supine position, and the examiner flexes the patient’s knee to 90°, accompanied by hip flexion. Pressure is then applied to the lateral femoral epicondyle, or 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 inch) proximal to it, with the thumb. While the pressure is maintained, the patient’s knee is passively extended. - At approximately 30° of flexion (0° being straight leg), the patient experiences severe pain over the lateral femoral condyle. - In one study, the sensitivity was 74% and the specificity was 67%. Previous Next

< Back Tinel’s Sign Tinel’s Sign To identify dysfunction of common fibular nerve posterior to the fibular head. Tap the region where the common fibular nerve passes posterior to the fibular head. Reproduces tingling sensation or paresthesia in the leg is an indication of a positive test. Some studies have found that the sensitivity of Tinel's sign for knee nerve compression is as high as 67%. The specificity of Tinel's sign for knee nerve compression is variable, ranging from 66% to 99%. Previous Next

< Back Hughston’s Plica Test Hughston’s Plica Test For the dysfunction of plica. The patient lies in the supine position, and the examiner flexes the knee and medially rotates the tibia with one arm and hand while pressing the patella medially with the heel of the other hand and palpating the medial femoral condyle with the fingers of the same hand. The patient’s knee is passively flexed and extended while the examiner feels for “popping” of the plica band under the fingers. The popping indicates a positive test. The test has a sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 88.7% Previous Next

< Back Knee Posterior Drawer Test Posterior Drawer Test For the integrity of PCL. Patient supine with the testing hip flexed to 45 degrees and knee flexed to 90 degrees. Passively glide tibia posteriorly following the joint plane. Excess posterior glide is a positive finding for PCL tear. The sensitivity and specificity of the posterior drawer test for PCL injury have been reported to be as high as 89% and 98%, respectively. Previous Next

< Back Patellar Apprehension Test Patellar Apprehension Test Indicate history of patella dysfunction. Patient supine, with the patella, passively glided laterally The patient does not allow the patella to move in the lateral direction. It is a highly sensitive and specific test, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 88.4%. Previous Next

< Back LCL&MCL Stability Test Lateral And Medial Collateral Ligaments’ Stability Test To identify ligament laxity or restriction. The entire lower limb is supported and stabilized; the knee is placed in 20-30 degrees of flexion. Valgus force was placed through knee test MCL and varus force for LCL. Previous Next

< Back Thessaly Test Thessaly Test For meniscal lesion. lesionsatient stands flat-footed on one leg while the examiner provides his or her hands for balance. The patient then flexes the knee to 5° and rotates the femur on the tibia medially and laterally three times while maintaining the 5° flexion. The good leg is tested first, and then the injured leg. The test is then repeated at 20° flexion. The test is considered positive for a meniscus tear if the patient experiences medial or lateral joint line discomfort. The patient may also have a sense of locking or catching the knee. A recent meta-analysis of 13 studies found that the overall sensitivity of the test was 70% and the specificity was 71%. However, the sensitivity and specificity of the test were found to be higher for lateral meniscal tears (92% and 97%) than for medial meniscal tears (86% and 67%). Previous Next