Knee ligaments and tests

ACL

Stops the tibia from moving anteriorly

PCL

Stops the tibia from moving posteriorly

MCL

Stops the motion of valgus (prevents the medial side from gapping open)

LCL

Stops the motion of varus (prevents the lateral side from gapping open)

LCL attachments

Lateral epicondyle of the femur to the head of the fibula

Which knee ligament attaches to the fibula

The LCL (the other three attach to the tibia)

Meniscus

Fibrocartilage pad in the knee that absorbs shock and deepens the joint

Valgus force

Pushes the knee inward (knock-knee); stresses the MCL

Varus force

Pushes the knee outward (bow-leg); stresses the LCL

Lachman's test

Tests the ACL; knee bent 20-30 degrees, tibia pulled forward

Anterior drawer test

Tests the ACL; knee at 90 degrees, tibia pulled forward

Posterior drawer test

Tests the PCL; knee at 90 degrees, tibia pushed backward

Valgus stress test

Tests the MCL; positive shows gapping on the medial side

Varus stress test

Tests the LCL; positive shows gapping on the lateral side

McMurray's test

Tests the meniscus; rotating the tibia while extending the knee

ACL reconstruction recovery

Roughly 6-12 months before return to sport