Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center

  
 

Examination Links:

  • Alphabetical Listing
of Examinations
  • Head
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    • Spurling's Test
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    • Sagittal Plane ROM Test
    • Frontal Plane ROM Test
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    • Anterior Instability Test
    • Anterior/Posterior Translation
 Test
    • Sulcus Sign
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Impingement Test
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Test
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Stability Test
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(Horizontal Adduction) Test
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Integrity Test
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    • Valgus Test 00
    • Valgus Test 300
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 Stress Test
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Test
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Compression Test
    • Phalen's Test or Wrist Press Test
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 Test
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 Test
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Ligament Stress Test
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Ligament Stress Test
    • PIP Radial Collateral 
Ligament Stress Test
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Ligament Stress Test
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Ligament Stress Test
    • DIP Ulnar Collateral 
Ligament Stress Test
    • Bunnel-Littler Test
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  • Sacroiliac Joint
    • Ipsilateral Prone Kinetic Test
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Rotation of Ilium on Sacrum
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Rotation of Ilium on Sacrum
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of Hip
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      Sacroiliac Rocking Test
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Pubic Stress Test
    • Piedallu's Sign
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    • Scouring (Quandrant) Test
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  • Knee
    • Anterior Drawer
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Drawer Test
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    • Lachman
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      • Active
    • Posterolateral Drawer Test
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    • McMurray's Test
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    • Medial Compression Test
    • Jerk Test of Hughston
    • Pivot Shift Test
    • External Rotation 
Recurvatum Test
    • Quadriceps Active Test
  • Lower Leg
    • Heel Tap Test
    • Homan's Sign
    • Squeeze Test
    • Thompson Test
  • Ankle
    • Anterior Drawer
    • Cotton Test
    • Eversion Stress Test
    • Inversion Stress Test
    • Kleiger Test
    • Squeeze Test
    • Wedge Test
  • Foot
    • Morton Test
    •  
  • Range of Motion
  • Goniometry
  • Manual Muscle Testing
  • Reflexes
  • Vital Signs
  • Body Composition

 

  Posterior Sag Test
Examination type Ligamentous special test
Patient & Body Segment Positioning Patient lies supine with hip flexed to 90 degrees and the knee to 90 degrees. Held by examiner.
Examiner Position Standing beside the examination table near the knee with head in position to visualize both knees and proximal tibias just inferior to the anterior joint line.  Examiner must use one hand to maintain both the hips and knees flexed at 90 degrees. (May use an assistant to hold the position of the knees and hips.
Tissues Being Tested Primarily the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) and secondarily the Posterior Oblique Ligament and/or Fibular Collateral Ligament, Popliteus Tendon, Arcuate Ligament.
Positive Test Note the amount of posterior sag relative to uninvolved side. The tibia will "drop back" or sag back on the femur if the Posterior Cruciate Ligament is torn. Must observe both knees, because if the sag isn’t noticed, it could give you a false positive anterior drawer.
Interpretation Positive test or an increased sag suggests PCL rupture 
Common errors in performing exam Athlete is not completely relaxed
Factors possibly resulting in misinterpretation Enlarged tibial tubercle on one knee secondary to Osgood-Schlatter
Related tests Gravity Sign/Gravity Test, Godfrey 90-90 Test, Quadriceps Active Test
References Magee, David J.; Orthopedic Physical Assessment, 4th Edition. Pg.704- 705
Links: What the Results Suggest

How the Test is Performed

DESCRIPTION OF TEST BEING PERFORMED

Patient lies supine with hip flexed to 45 degrees and the knee to 90 degrees. Must observe both knees, look for one tibia to sag or be lower than the other one.  If the sag is noticed, it could give you a false positive anterior drawer.
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