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A positive varus stress test at 0° of knee flexion is usually indicative of a severe combined posterolateral corner and cruciate ligament injury. In addition, it is not uncommon to have an avulsion of structures off the fibular head and a possible combined common peroneal nerve injury when the varus stress test in full extension is positive.
The varus stress test at 0° of knee flexion is performed with the knee in full extension with a stabilizing force applied to the distal thigh with a concurrent palpation of the joint line with ones fingers. A varus force is then applied through the foot and ankle to determine if there is any gapping. In patients who do have a common peroneal nerve injury, it is important to minimize the amount of gapping that occurs and simply determine there is no endpoint when performing this test.
