Knee Instability Test
Learn about the Knee Instability Test, a quick assessment for identifying knee instability. Download our free PDF template to conduct the exam easily.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What is a Knee Instability Test?
Knee instability is a condition that affects the knee joint, leading to feelings of weakness, giving way, or buckling of the knee during movement. Various factors, including ligament injuries, meniscal tears, or other structural issues within the knee, can cause it. Patients with knee instability often experience difficulty in walking, running, or participating in physical activities without fear of their knee giving out.
Medical professionals use the or the Lachman Test to identify knee instability and evaluate its severity. This physical examination is used to assess the stability of the knee joint, particularly to evaluate the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL is one of the major ligaments in the knee that helps stabilize and control forward movement of the tibia (shin bone) relative to the femur (thigh bone).
During the Knee Instability Test, the examiner evaluates the amount of anterior translation or forward movement of the tibia relative to the femur when the knee is partially flexed (usually around 20-30 degrees of flexion). The test is often performed by orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, or other healthcare professionals.
Printable Knee Instability Test
Download this Knee Instability Test to assess your clients effectively.
How does the Knee Instability Test work?
Using our free template, you can easily conduct the Knee Instability Test or Lachman Test. Follow these steps to perform the exam:
Step One: Download the free worksheet
Access the printable Knee Instability Test template through the link on this page or the Carepatron app, or download it from our resources library.
Step Two: Explain the Knee Instability Test to your patient
Inform your patient that the Knee Instability Test is designed to assess if they have knee instability. Explain the symptoms of knee instability and how the test can help diagnose the condition.
Step Three: Perform the Knee Instability Test
Use the instructions listed on the template to conduct the exam. Ensure your patient is lying comfortably in the supine position (on their back) with their leg bent at approximately 20-30 degrees of flexion. Then, stabilize your patient’s thigh and gently apply a controlled forward force to the lower part of their shinbone.
Step Four: Evaluate the Results
Once the test is complete, analyze the results. Look for any occurrences of knee instability or feelings of giving way during the performed movements, which can indicate the presence and severity of knee instability.
Knee Instability Test Interpretation
The Knee Instability Test is a valuable tool for assessing the presence and severity of knee instability in patients. If your patient experiences knee giving way or feelings of instability during the test, it suggests the presence of knee instability. The test results can also help determine the appropriate course of action, such as conservative treatments or referral to a knee specialist.
Please bear in mind that the Knee Instability Test is just one component of a thorough diagnostic process. When reaching a final diagnosis, consider additional factors like the patient's medical history, results from imaging studies, and findings from physical examinations.
Knee Instability Test example (sample)
We have prepared a Knee Instability PDF example to better illustrate how to perform this assessment. You can use this sample for educational purposes or as a reference in your practice. View the sample here or download the PDF version.
Download the free Knee Instability Test example (sample):
When to use the Knee Instability Test?
You can use the Knee Instability Test to assess any patient experiencing knee weakness, giving way, or instability during movement. Moreover, you can use our free worksheet to:
Assess the presence and severity of knee instability
This template lets you determine the knee instability likelihood in patients. Additionally, it can help you assess the severity of the condition and provide recommendations for treatment options.
Educate patients about knee instability
This worksheet can also serve as an educational tool. By providing your patient with a visual representation of the test results, you can help them better understand their condition and what to expect during treatment.
Establish treatment goals
You can create realistic and achievable treatment goals for your patient's knee instability using the test results. This, in turn, helps to guide your treatment plan and ensure positive outcomes.
Monitor the progress of a knee instability patient
By regularly retesting patients with knee instability, you can monitor their progress over time. This helps you adjust your treatment approach as needed to ensure optimal results.
Why use Carepatron's Knee Instability Test app?
If you're a healthcare professional needing efficient practice management software, look no further than Carepatron! Our solution is tailor-made to meet all your needs.
With our Knee Instability Test app, you'll get a bunch of awesome features that'll streamline your practice management. Think secure patient data storage, simplified scheduling, automated billing, and more—all while maintaining top-notch security and convenience.
Stay in the loop with your patients' progress through our patient portal while our automated scheduling system ensures you never miss an appointment. Plus, our integrated billing system makes payment processing a breeze so you can get paid faster.
Carepatron's Knee Instability Test software works on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones so that you can access your data anytime, anywhere.
We get that managing a practice can be a challenge, which is why Carepatron is here to help. Start today and see how our platform can simplify your operations and elevate your practice!
Commonly asked questions
The Instability Test does not utilize a scoring system. Instead, the clinician evaluates the patient's self-reported sensations of knee weakness, giving way, or instability while performing specific movements. If the patient experiences these symptoms, it indicates the presence of knee instability.
The Knee Instability Test assesses the patient's ability to maintain stability and control in their knee joint during specific movements or activities. It aims to identify any feelings of knee weakness, giving way, or buckling, which can indicate knee instability.
The Knee Instability Test is a low-risk assessment. If the patient has no underlying knee conditions or injuries, they should experience no adverse effects from performing the test.
