H&P: Knee, Ankle, Foot

Anterior Drawer Test (Knee)

Maneuver testing the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) where the patient is supine with knee flexed to 90° while the examiner pulls the tibia forward.

Posterior Drawer Test

Maneuver testing the integrity of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) by flexing the knee to 90° and pushing the tibia posteriorly.

Lachman Test

Maneuver assessing ACL integrity with the knee flexed to 15° by pulling the tibia forward while stabilizing and pushing the femur back.

Valgus Stress Test

Test evaluating the medial collateral ligament (MCL) by applying medial force at the knee and lateral traction at the ankle at 0° and 30° flexion.

Varus Stress Test

Test evaluating the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) by applying lateral force at the knee and medial traction at the ankle at 0° and 30° flexion.

McMurray Test

Provocative test for meniscal tears performed by extending the knee from flexion while applying lower leg rotation and valgus or varus stress.

Thessaly Test

Meniscal assessment performed with the patient standing single-legged on a 5° and 20° flexed knee while rotating their body medially and laterally.

Patellofemoral Grind Test

Maneuver assessing patellofemoral pain syndrome or chondromalacia patellae by pressing inferiorly on the patella during active quadriceps contraction.

Bulge Sign

Test for minor knee joint effusion performed by milking fluid downward, applying pressure to the medial knee, and tapping the lateral patella for a fluid wave.

Ballotable Patella (Ballottement)

Test for major knee joint effusion performed by pushing the patella into the trochlear groove to feel for a rebounding or floating patella.

Balloon Sign

Test for major knee joint effusion performed by compressing the suprapatellar pouch and feeling for fluid wave/ballooning under fingers placed inferiorly.

Anterior Drawer Test (Ankle)

Stability maneuver assessing the anterior talofibular (ATF) ligament by translating the rear foot forward with the foot in 10°–15° plantar flexion.

Talar Tilt Test

Maneuver testing the calcaneofibular (CFL) ligament by applying gentle inversion force to the ankle in a neutral position.

Thompson Test

Test diagnosing Achilles tendon rupture by squeezing the gastrocnemius calf muscle in a prone or kneeling patient and observing for an absence of plantar flexion.

Morton Neuroma

Benign digital nerve tissue growth (most commonly between 3rd and 4th toes) presenting with burning pain and numbness provoked by metatarsal squeezing.

Plantar Fasciitis

Inflammation of the plantar fascia causing heel and foot pain that is characteristically worst with the first steps in the morning.

Pes Cavus

Structural foot deformity characterized by an abnormally high longitudinal arch.

Pes Planus

Structural foot deformity characterized by a flattened arch ("flatfoot").

Hallux Valgus ("Bunion")

Deformity marked by lateral deviation of the great toe with prominence of the first metatarsal head.

Baker's Cyst

Synovial fluid-filled mass located in the popliteal fossa.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Painful traction apophysitis and inflammation of the tibial tuberosity at the patellar tendon insertion site.

Haglund's Deformity

Enlarged bony bump on the posterior superior calcaneus that can cause retrocalcaneal bursitis and Achilles irritation