Anterior Drawer Test (all motions) |
Examination type |
Ligament Stress test. |
Patient & Body Segment Positioning |
Supine with the test hip flexed to
45 degrees, knee flexed to 90 degrees, and foot in a neutral
position. |
Examiner Position & Hand Placement |
Sitting on subject's foot, with
both hands behind the subject's proximal tibia and thumbs on the
tibial plateau. |
Tissues
Being Tested |
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) |
Positive Test |
Increased anterior tibial
displacement on the femur compared to the uninvolved side along
with end feels indicates partial to complete ACL tear. |
Interpretation |
Degree of laxity, presence and
quality of the endpoint compared bi-laterally will determine the
integrity of the ACL |
Common errors in
performing exam |
Examiner is in an inappropriate position and does
not have correct hand placement.
The patient may not be relaxed or comfortable.
|
Factors possibly
resulting in misinterpretation |
A torn meniscus of the medial posterior horn
wedged against the femoral condoyle may impair movement. A
muscular spasm of the hamstrings may also prevent movement |
Related tests |
Posterior Drawer Test, Lachman’s Test, Slocum
Test, MacIntosh Test, 90-90 Anterior Drawer, Sitting Anterior
Drawer Test, Active Drawer Test |
References |
Hoppenfeld Physical Examination of the Spine &
Extremities, Athletic Injury Assessment Fourth Edition. |
Links: |
http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/anterior_drawer_test
How the Test is Performed:
The examiner should always examine the uninjured side first so he or
she can better determine the amount of laxity in the patient’s
knees. With the patient in the appropriate position with his foot in
a neutral position, the examiner should then gently pull the tibia
forward. He may also give the leg a good “jerk” if he or she wants
to. The examiner could then move the foot into inversion and perform
the test. The puts more stress on the posteriorlateral capsule of
the knee, the LCL, and the iliotibial band. If the foot is moved
into eversion stress is put on the medial structures of the knee
joint.
DESCRIPTION OF
TEST BEING PERFORMED |
Click On PICTURE
TO VIEW MOVIE |
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