| Apley Test | While prone the patient compresses their knee at 90 degrees, the examiner rotates the tibia in both directions. The test is repeated with the knee joint under distraction (pulling the patient's foot upward). If the patient experiences pain on compression, the test indicates a meniscal injury; pain upon distraction suggests a ligamentous injury. |
| Drawer Sign | With the patient supine and knee flexed 90 degrees, the proximal tibia is pulled anteriorly and then pushed posteriorly. Excessive movement while being pulled suggests a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Excessive movement while being pushed suggests a torn posterior cruciate ligament. |
| Lachman Test | This test is performed with the patient supine and the knee flexed to 20 degrees. The examiner pulls the tibia anteriorly. A torn anterior cruciate ligament is indicated by a "give" reaction. |
| McMurray's Test | The patient is supine. The examiner rotates the foot outward and slowly extends the knee from a fully flexed position. The test is repeated but with the foot rotated inward. The test is positive if a "clicking" is noted while extending the knee. A "click" with the foot rotated outward indicates a tear of the medial meniscus, while a "click" with the foot rotated inward indicates a lateral meniscus tear. |
| Pivot Shift Test | This test is for a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The examiner internally rotates the leg with the knee fully extended. With valgus stress, the knee is gradually flexed. The test is positive if the knee shifts at 30 to 40 degrees. |
| Slocum Test | This test is for rotatory instability of the knee. The patient is supine with the knee flexed 90 degrees, and the foot internally rotated. The examiner sits on the patient's foot and pulls the proximal tibia anteriorly. This test is repeated with the foot externally rotated. Excessive motion of the joint indicates a rotatory instability of the knee. |
By Medical Specialty
