This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Posterior sag test

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) function tests

  • posterior drawer test
    • the patient is lying supine with the test hip flexed to 45 degrees, the knees flexed to 90 degrees and the foot in a neutral position
    • examiner sits on the patient's foot and places both hands behind the proximal tibia with the thumbs on the tibial plateau o posterior force is applied to the proximal tibia
    • increased posterior tibial displacement compared to the opposite (normal) side is indicative of a partial or complete PCL tear (1)
    • Click here for a video of posterior draw test
  • posterior sag test
    • patient is on supine position with the hips flexed to 45 degrees and the knee flexed to 90 degrees
    • normally the medial tibial plateau extends 1 cm anteriorly beyond the femoral condyle in this position.
    • in PCL rupture the tibia rocks or sags back on the femur in this position (1)

Reference:


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.