Special Tests

Question 1

Ober Test & Modified Ober’s Test

Answer 1

Checks the flexibility of the TFL. Tests the length of hip abductors as well as the iliotibial band.

Patient lies on side, therapist stabilizes pelvis. Patient drops leg behind the mat. Therapist checks to see if it reaches the mat and assess the end feel.

Question 2

Anterior Drawer (Knee [ACL]/ Ankle [ATFL])

Answer 2

Used to assess the integrity of the ACL or ATFL (Anterior Talofibular Ligament - Fibula to Talus).

Knee - Positive translation of the tibia results in a positive test.

Ankle - Examiner pulls heel forward away from the tibia.

Question 3

Lachman’s Test

Answer 3

Used to assess the integrity of the ACL by evaluating the anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur.

Question 4

Pivot Shift

Answer 4

Assesses the stability of the knee’s ACL.

Question 5

Posterior Drawer

Answer 5

assesses the integrity of the PCL by checking for backward movement (posterior translation) of the tibia.

Question 6

Valgus & Varus Stress Test

Answer 6

used to assess knee and elbow instability by applying specific forces to determine the health of the MCLs and LCLs of the joints.

Question 7

Apley’s Compression Test

Answer 7

Assesses if there are meniscal tears in the knee. Pain or a “clunk” during this compression rotation suggests a meniscal tear.

Question 8

McMurray’s Test

Answer 8

used to diagnose a torn knee meniscus, involving a healthcare providers bending, rotating, and extending the patient’s knee while applying stress.

Question 9

Thomas Test

Answer 9

used to measure the flexibility and length of the hip flexor muscles, including iliopsoas and rectus femoris.

Question 10

Trendelenburg Test

Answer 10

Tests the ability of the Gluteus Medius to control the pelvis.

Have patient stand on one leg - if the Glute. Medius on the stance leg is weak, the pelvis drops to the opposite side (contralateral drop)

Question 11

Fair Test - Piriformis Test

Answer 11

Flexion. Adduction. IR

assessment for piriformis syndrome that involves a healthcare provider passively performing specific hip movements on a patient to see if it reproduces pain in the buttock or sciatic-like symptoms.

Question 12

FABER (Patrick’s Test) (Figure 4 Test)

Answer 12

Flexion. ABduction. External Rotation

Checks for pain and pathology in the hip joint or the sacroiliac (SI) joint, and sometimes the lumbar spine.

The test is performed by having the tested leg flexed, abducted and externally rotated. If pain results, this is considered a positive.

The location of the pain can help guide you.
-Groin pain - hip
-Buttock pain - lumbar
-SI pain - SI

Question 13

Clunk Test

Answer 13

Maneuver used to diagnose a shoulder labral tear, particularly a SLAP lesion (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior tear).

Question 14

Vertebral Artery Test

Answer 14

When the neck is positioned, some individuals display symptoms of reduced vertebral artery blood flow causing dizziness, visual changes or nystagmus.

Avoid this position and report to PT.

Question 15

Sharps Purser Test

Answer 15

Assesses the integrity of the Atlanto-Axial joint and more notably the stabilizers of the dens on the Atlas - specifically the Transverse Ligament.

Question 16

Drawing in Maneuver (TA) Test

Answer 16

Test and trains the deep abdominal muscles, specifically the Transverse Abdominis.

Question 17

Slump Test

Answer 17

A physical examination to test for nerve tissue irritation, especially the sciatic nerve, in the lower and back leg.

Question 18

SLR (Straight Leg Raise) Test

Answer 18

checks for nerve root irritation, particularly the sciatic nerve. Positive test can suggest irritation of the sciatic nerve or nerve roots.

Question 19

Talar Tilt Test

Answer 19

used to evaluate the integrity of the ankle’s lateral ligaments, particularly the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), by assessing for excessive ankle inversion and Deltoid for excessive eversion.

Question 20

Piano Key Test

Answer 20

a physical examination maneuver for a suspected acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation

Question 21

Thompson Test

Answer 21

used to identify a ruptured Achilles tendon by squeezing the patient’s calf muscle.

Question 22

Knee Tests

Answer 22

Anterior Drawer (ACL)
Lachman’s Test (ACL)
Pivot Shift (ACL)
Posterior Drawer (PCL)
Valgus & Varus Tests (MCL & LCL)
Apley’s Compression (Meniscus)
McMurray’s (Meniscus)

Question 23

Ankle Tests

Answer 23

Anterior Drawer (ATFL)
Talar Tilt (Calcaneofibular Ligament)
Thompson (Achilles)

Question 24

Elbow Tests

Answer 24

Valgus & Varus Tests (MCL & LCL)

Question 25

Hip Tests

Answer 25

Thomas (Hip Flexors) Trendelenburg (Gluteus Medius) Fair/Piriformis Test FABER (Patrick's Test)(Figure 4 Test) (Sacroiliac Joint) Slump Straight Leg Raise (SLR) (Sciatic)

Question 26

Shoulder Tests

Answer 26

Clunk (SLAP Lesion) Piano Key (AC Joint)

Question 27

Noble Compression Test

Answer 27

IT band friction syndrome test. Tests for tightness of the IT band

Question 28

Figure 4 Test