The anteromedial drawer test assesses the amount of increased external rotation due to a medial knee injury. It is performed with the knee flexed to 90°, the foot in external rotation, and an anteromedial rotatory force is applied to the proximal tibia. This test is commonly confused with the posterolateral drawer test (to be discussed later), so it is important to actively visualize the amount of increased rotation and the location of the rotation while performing this test. An increased amount of anteromedial rotation is felt to be due to injury to the distal aspect of the superficial medial collateral ligament and the posterior oblique ligament. In addition, injury to the meniscotibial portion of the deep medial collateral ligament can also increase the amount of external rotation seen with this test.
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.