Joint line palpation is a hands-on exam technique used to feel along the knee’s joint line. It helps clinicians identify where pain, swelling, or tenderness is coming from around the knee. It is commonly used in orthopedics, sports medicine, and physical therapy knee evaluations. It is a clinical assessment step, not a treatment.

The Apley grind test is a hands-on knee exam maneuver used to assess the meniscus. It is commonly performed in sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical therapy settings. The test applies gentle compression and rotation to look for pain or mechanical symptoms. It is one piece of a broader knee evaluation, not a stand-alone diagnosis.

The Thessaly test is a physical exam maneuver used to help assess the knee meniscus. It is commonly performed in clinics for knee pain after twisting injuries or sports. It involves standing on one leg with a slight knee bend and gently rotating the body. Clinicians use it as part of a broader knee examination, not as a stand-alone diagnosis.

McMurray test is a hands-on knee exam maneuver used to check for a possible meniscus tear. It is commonly performed during an orthopedic or sports medicine knee evaluation. The test looks for pain, catching, or a “click” as the knee is moved in a specific way. It is one piece of the overall clinical exam, not a stand-alone diagnosis.

The Posterolateral drawer test is a hands-on knee exam maneuver used to assess abnormal backward and outward movement of the tibia (shinbone) relative to the femur (thighbone). It is most commonly used when a clinician suspects injury to the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee and related stabilizing structures. It is performed in the clinic as part of a broader knee stability examination. It helps guide whether further testing or imaging may be needed.

Dial test is a hands-on knee exam used to assess abnormal rotation of the lower leg. It is most commonly used when clinicians suspect injury to the posterolateral corner of the knee. It compares how far the tibia (shinbone) externally rotates on one side versus the other. It is frequently discussed in sports medicine and orthopedic evaluations after twisting injuries.

Varus stress test is a hands-on knee exam used to check the stability of the outer (lateral) side of the knee. It helps clinicians assess whether the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and nearby structures may be injured. It is commonly used in orthopedics, sports medicine, emergency settings, and physical therapy evaluations. It is usually performed during a physical exam and may be paired with imaging when needed.

The Valgus stress test is a hands-on knee exam used to check the integrity of the medial (inner) stabilizers of the knee. It applies a controlled “valgus” force, meaning the lower leg is gently pushed outward relative to the thigh. It is commonly used in orthopedics, sports medicine, emergency care, and physical therapy after knee injuries. It helps clinicians decide whether the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and nearby tissues may be sprained or torn.

The Quadriceps active test is a hands-on knee exam used to assess certain ligament injuries. It looks for abnormal movement of the shin bone (tibia) relative to the thigh bone (femur). It is most commonly discussed in the evaluation of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury. Clinicians may use it in sports medicine, orthopedics, emergency settings, and physical therapy assessments.

The Godfrey test is a physical exam maneuver used to assess the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) of the knee. It looks for a “posterior sag” of the tibia (shinbone) relative to the femur (thighbone). It is commonly used in orthopedic, sports medicine, and physical therapy knee evaluations. Clinicians often use it alongside other knee stability tests and imaging when needed.