Squeeze Test (Lower Leg) |
Examination type |
Ligamentous stress and boney
integrity |
Patient & Body Segment Positioning |
To perform this test the examiner will have the
patient short sit on the side of a table with the edge under
their knees and their legs hanging off the table. |
Examiner Position |
Kneeled on the floor facing the patient |
Tissues
Being Tested |
Tibia, fibula, syndesmosis, and the anterior
inferior tibiofibular ligament. |
Positive Test |
Pain above or below the sight of the squeeze is
indicative of a fracture of the tibia or fibula, or sprain of
the syndesmosis or the anterior talofibular ligament. |
Interpretation |
Interpreted as a fracture of the tibia or fibula,
or a sprain of the syndesmosis, or anterior inferior talofibular
ligament sprain. |
Common errors in
performing exam |
Improper performance of test, improper hand
placement, improper patient or examiner positioning. |
Factors possibly
resulting in misinterpretation |
If patient complains of pain at site where hands
are applying pressure instead of referred pain. Patient is
not short sitting and lower leg is not relaxed. |
Related tests |
Distal Tibiofibular Compression Test, Heel tap
test, Kleiger's test |
References |
Magee, David J., Orthopedic Physical Assessment,
4th Edition, pg.803.; |
Links: |
What the Results Suggest
How the Test is Performed
DESCRIPTION OF
TEST BEING PERFORMED
Place the heel of
each hand at equal height on the shaft of the tibia and fibula,
Squeeze the bones together firmly and slowly, hold and then quickly
release. Pain above or below the sight of the squeeze is indicative
of a fracture. Test should be repeated several times up and down the
shafts of both bones, and over the maleoli. |
MOUSE OVER PICTURE
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