Anterior stability testing is performed primarily to assess the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL is the main stabilizer to anterior translation of the knee between 20°-30° of knee flexion. For this reason, the majority of knee stability testing for the ACL is performed at this angle. In addition, the ACL is important for anterolateral rotatory stability of the knee, so the “pivot shift” test is also an important part of this examination.
About the Author: Robert LaPrade, MD
Robert LaPrade, MD, PhD has specialized skills and expertise in diagnosing and treating complicated knee injuries. He has treated athletes at all levels, including Olympic, professional and intercollegiate athletes, and has returned numerous athletes back to full participation after surgeries. Recognized globally for his outstanding and efficient surgical skills and dedication to sports medicine, he has received many research awards, including the OREF Clinic Research Award considered by many a Nobel Prize in orthopedics. Dr. LaPrade is one of the most published investigators in his field, and many of the surgeries that he has developed are now performed worldwide and recognized as the “gold standard” for the treatment of complex knee injuries.