II. Indications
- Evaluate for Knee Collateral Ligament instability
III. Patient Position
- Patient lies supine on table
- Lower thigh rests on table edge, leg hangs off table
IV. Technique
- Perform each stress in two positions
- Stabilize lower thigh with one hand
- Apply gentle stress at patient's ankle or foot
- Valgus stress tests medial collateral ligament
- Varus stress tests lateral collateral ligament
- Repeat test with gentle rocking motion
- Images
V. Precautions: Varus Stress Test
- Varus Stress Test may give False Positive result
- Femur rolls externally if not supported
- Slight knee flexion may allow for laxity
- Stabilize ipsilateral ankle to isolate knee
- Sit on edge of table
- Patient's ankle rests on examiner's upper knee
VI. Interpretation: Positive Test implies Instability
- See Ligamentous Sprain for laxity grading
- Laxity on Varus stress suggests Knee LCL Tear
- Laxity on valgus stress suggests Knee MCL Tear
VII. References
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Related Studies
| Concepts | Diagnostic Procedure (T060) |
| SnomedCT | 674004 |
| Spanish | prueba de abducción de la rodilla, prueba de tensión del valgo, prueba de tesión del valgo, prueba de abducción de la rodilla (procedimiento), prueba de abducción, prueba tensora de abducción, prueba valga |
| English | Abduction test of knee, abduction test, valgus stress test, Abduction stress test, Abduction test, Valgus stress test, Valgus test, Abduction test of knee (procedure) |
Ontology: Adduction test (C0231734)
| Concepts | Diagnostic Procedure (T060) |
| SnomedCT | 43315009 |
| English | Adduction stress test, Adduction test, Varus stress test, Varus test, Adduction test (procedure) |
| Spanish | prueba de aducción (procedimiento), prueba de aducción, prueba de tensión aductora, prueba tensora vara, prueba vara |
