Test: Lachman Test

Video Link

Background/Purpose

The Lachman test is used to identify injury to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).

Procedure

Patient is in a relaxed, supine position. Clinician holds the patient's knee at 20-30 degrees of inflexion. The clinician stabilizes the patient's femur with one hand while placing the thumb of the other hand on the anterior side of the tibia and the fingers grasping the posterior side of the tibia. Examiner applies force moving the tibia forward on the femur. A positive sign is indicated by a soft or mushy end feel when the tibia is moved forward on the femur.
Performed: Unilaterally

Dialog

Examiner pulls anteriorly on the tibia, looking for a firm end feel.

Criteria

• An intact ACL should prevent forward movement of the tibia on the femur.

Measurement

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LOINC Code

0

Scale/Grading

Pass/Fail