In the starting position of the Lachman test, the tibia will rest further posterior than usual due to the absence of the PCL, leading to increased excursion during the test (Manske, 2006). Interpretation: Positive Reverse Lachman’s Test Pain or increase translation: Posterior cruciate ligament strain or rupture. An anterior drawer test (ADT) is commonly done at the same time as the Lachman test to help confirm the diagnosis of an ACL injury. If your doctor suspects a PCL tear, the posterior drawer test is the best test to diagnose it. Interpretation: Positive Reverse Lachman’s Test Pain or increase translation: Posterior cruciate ligament strain or rupture. The anterior drawer test is one test for ACL injuries, but it isn’t the only one. Malanga et al concluded that the posterior drawer test was both very sensitive and specific, but is also enhanced by the presence of a posterior sag sign. LACHMAN'S TEST: Purpose: To test for the integrity of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), VIDEO DEMO, PROCEDURE, Positive Sign: Pain or excessive anterior motion of the tibia, and disappearance of the infrapatellar tendon slope. Procedure Patient supine with knee bent 15° …
Sensitivity and specificity have been reported as .90 and .99 respectively, while -LR is .10 and +LR is 90. USMLE may ask us about these because of the fairly common ACL injury. Procedure: Patient prone with knee flexed 30° Examiner stabilizes posterior distal thigh (ensure the hamstring muscles are relaxed) Examiner then proceeds to apply an upward pressure on the proximal tibia. What is the Lachman Test of the Knee?

The Lachman’s test is an orthopaedic test used to diagnose injury to the anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligaments (PCL). The Lachman Test is a commonly used in orthopedic examinations to test for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) integrity. The patient should be supine with the hips flexed to 45 degrees, the knees flexed to 90 degrees and the feet flat on table.
The drawer test is used in the initial clinical assessment of suspected rupture of the cruciate ligaments in the knee. Lachman test. The classical test for ACL deficiency, the Lachman and Anterior Drawer Tests are performed based on evaluation of the anterior instability (Solomon et al., 2001). Lachman’s Test and Anterior Drawer Test. Doctors often perform a posterior drawer test to assess the function of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)—one of the four ligaments of the knee. Doctors may also use a physical exam called the Lachman test to evaluate the ACL. Also, the Lachman test might appear positive even if the patient’s anterior cruciate ligament is intact – this happens when the posterior cruciate ligament is ruptured or damaged. In Benjaminse`s meta- analysis, the accuracy for Lachman test showed a pooled sensitivity of 85% . Lachman’s test involves placing the knee in 30 degrees of flexion and, with one hand stabilising the femur, pulling the tibia forward to assess the amount of anterior movement of the tibia compared to the femur. Often with ACL injuries, other tissues and structures can be injured as well. Procedure: Patient prone with knee flexed 30° Examiner stabilizes posterior distal thigh (ensure the hamstring muscles are relaxed) Examiner then proceeds to apply an upward pressure on the proximal tibia. Lachman test sensitivity reaches up to 100% under anesthesia (Liu et al., 1995). anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Starting Position. This is one of the most well known and most used special tests. The other knee is then examined for comparison.