Lower Limb Orthopedic Tests

Posterior Drawer Test

• Aims to assess the integrity of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
• Patient is positioned supine with knees flexed to 90 degrees and feet flat on the table.
• Therapist sits on the patient's toes to stabilize the lower leg and prevent movement during testing.
• A positive sign indicates excessive posterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur, suggesting PCL injury.
• The applied force is a posterior force on the tibia to assess PCL stability.
• Therapist grasps the proximal leg to ensure correct positioning and control of movement during the test.

Valgus & Varus Stress Test

• This test assesses the stability of the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, respectively.

Apley’s Test

• Assesses the integrity of the knee joint, specifically for meniscus tears.

Thomas Test

• Primarily used to assess hip flexor tightness, specifically the iliopsoas muscle.

Ankle Joint Tests

• The anterior drawer test and the talar tilt test are commonly utilized to assess the ankle joint.

FABER/Patrick Test

• Used to determine hip or sacroiliac joint dysfunction or pathology.

Hamstring Assessment

• The straight leg raise test is often employed to evaluate hamstring flexibility and tightness.

Ely Test

• Assesses rectus femoris tightness, particularly the ability of the knee to flex while the hip is held in extension.

Test your knowledge of orthopedic tests for the lower limb, including the hip and knee joints. This quiz covers various tests such as Thomas, Ober's, Ely, and more. Assess your understanding of these essential medical assessments.