Jerk Test |
Examination type |
Ligamnetous |
Patient & Body Segment Positioning |
Patient is spuine with hip at 45 degrees of
flexion, and the knee at 80 to 90 degrees of flexion. |
Examiner Position |
Standing on
the side of the patient; with one hand on the patients heel and
the other on the lateral aspect of the knee.
|
Tissues
Being Tested |
ACL |
Positive Test |
Positive test is
when a jerk is felt and patient has apprehension or pain. |
Interpretation |
This indicates a
torn ACL |
Common errors in
performing exam |
Wrong hand
placement, starting in wrong position, not applying enough
stress or rotary force. |
Factors possibly
resulting in misinterpretation |
A torn MCL might
make the jerk larger than normal to watch for that injury as
well. Make sure to check bilaterally because that shift
maybe normal for them. |
Related tests |
Pivot shift,
Anterior drawer, Lachman |
References |
|
Links: |
What the Results Suggest
How the Test is Performed
DESCRIPTION OF
TEST BEING PERFORMED
The tests starts with knee at 90 degrees
of flexion, then the examiner applies medial rotation and valgus
stress. At 20 or 30 degrees the lateral tibia plateau will
sublux causing a jerk. Then as leg goes further into extension
the subluxation will reduce. The feel of this jerk indicates a
positive test. |
MOUSE OVER PICTURE
TO VIEW MOVIE |
|
|