Test: Valgus Stress Test - Knee 30 Degrees

Video Link

Background/Purpose

This test assess one plane medial instability. By applying a valgus (abduction) stress on the knee at 20-30 degrees of flexion. The medial tibia opens (gaps) away from the femur. This puts stress on the medial compartment of the knee joint including:
Medial collateral ligament, Posterior Oblique ligament, Posterior cruciate ligament, Posteromedial capsule.

Procedure

The clinician pushes the knee medially while in a knee flexed position of 20-30 degrees while the ankle is stabilized in slight lateral rotation. The test should not have an increased amount of motion relative to the opposite side and no medial knee pain.
Performed: Unilaterally

Dialog

Medial knee is stressed with lateral tibia movement at 0 and 30 degrees.

Criteria

• No pain medial knee
• Symmetric (minimal) gapping

Measurement

0.00

LOINC Code

0

Scale/Grading

Pass/Fail