The posterior cruciate ligament is the main structure which provides provides posterior stability to the knee at 90° of flexion. At this position, it performs approximately 90-95% of the total force to preventing posterior translation. For this reason, most assessment for posterior knee translation instability is performed at 90° of knee flexion.
(Click to Enlarge Image)
The KT-1000 test is performed to provide an objective assessment of the amount of increased anterior knee translation between 20 and 30 degrees of knee flexion. The KT-1000 test was developed by Dale Daniel, MD, in San […]
(Click to Enlarge Image)
The pivot shift test assesses for anterolateral rotatory instability of the knee. It is a very useful test to determine if the patient will have a symptomatic ACL tear or not. With this test, the examiner applies an […]
(Click to Enlarge)
The anterior drawer test is more of a historical test rather than an actual useful clinical test. It was originally felt that it was positive when there was an ACL tear, however the amount of increased translation at 90° […]
(Click to Enlarge)
The Lachman’s test is performed between 20°-30° of knee flexion, which helps to isolate the affect of the ACL providing stability to anterior translation of the knee. It is absolutely essential during this exam that the patient relax as […]
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 […]
Tibiofemoral instability is usually due to an acute or chronic injury of the ACL, PCL, medial knee structures or posterolateral complex of the knee. True tibiofemoral joint instability results in the knee subluxing, sliding front to back or having a side-to-side instability, with activities. These activities can include twisting, turning, pivoting or other activities.
It is […]
Examination of the tibiofemoral joint should be performed in a stepwise manner. In general, one performs stability testing for anterior translation, posterior translation, medial sided injuries, and posterolateral injuries in a uniform and stepwise manner to determine if there are any associated instabilities. It is important when performing this testing to compare any motion increases […]
The medial suprapatella plica is a common source of knee pain. It is a normal fold of the joint lining which can become irritated when there are other pathologies of the knee or it can become fibrotic after injury or surgery. Thus, assessment of this as a source of pain is helpful to […]
(Click to Enlarge)
In general, the amount of quadriceps atrophy that is present in one’s thigh is indicative of the amount of weakness present. In our experience, about 2 cm of quadriceps atrophy can be equivalent to about 70% of the strength […]
