Lachman's Test for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Instability ; Definition, Procedure, Meaning

The Lachman test is a clinical examination used to assess the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. It's particularly useful for diagnosing ACL injuries, which are common in athletes. Here's how the test is performed: Procedure Positioning: The patient lies on their back with the knee in question slightly bent (about 20-30 degrees of flexion). Stabilization: The examiner places one hand on the patient's thigh to stabilize the femur and the other hand on the back of the tibia. Testing: The examiner gently pulls the tibia forward while keeping the thigh stable. Interpretation Normal Response: A firm endpoint is felt when the tibia is pulled forward, indicating an intact ACL. Positive Test: If there is excessive forward movement of the tibia (more than 2mm compared to the uninjured knee), it suggests a torn ACL. A "soft" or "mushy" endpoint indicates a positive test1. Grading Grade 1: 1-5 mm of anterior translation (mild injury). Grade 2: 5-10 mm of anterior translation (moderate injury). Grade 3: More than 10 mm of anterior translation (severe injury). Would you like to know more about how to interpret the results or any other related tests? #Lachmantest