Posterior sag sign: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Posterior sag sign is a physical exam finding used to assess the stability of the knee. It describes a “sagging” backward position of the tibia (shin bone) relative to the femur (thigh bone). Clinicians most commonly use it when a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury is suspected. It is typically checked during an in-office orthopedic, sports medicine, or physical therapy knee exam.

Posterior drawer test: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Posterior drawer test is a hands-on knee exam used to check for looseness of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). It looks for backward movement of the shinbone (tibia) relative to the thighbone (femur). It is commonly used after knee injuries in sports, falls, or motor-vehicle crashes. It is also used in orthopedic, sports medicine, and physical therapy assessments of knee stability.

KT-1000 test: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

The KT-1000 test is a clinical measurement used to assess knee ligament looseness. It uses a handheld device (an arthrometer) to quantify how much the tibia moves forward relative to the femur. It is most commonly used when an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is suspected or being followed over time. It may be used in sports medicine clinics, orthopedic offices, and rehabilitation settings.

Lever sign: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Lever sign is a hands-on knee exam maneuver used to assess the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It is commonly performed in sports medicine, orthopedics, emergency settings, and physical therapy exams. In plain terms, it checks whether the shin bone (tibia) is being held in place the way it should be. It is one of several clinical tests clinicians may use when an ACL injury is suspected.

Pivot shift test: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Pivot shift test is a hands-on knee exam used to assess rotational instability. It is most commonly used when an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is suspected. The maneuver attempts to reproduce a “giving way” pattern some people feel during cutting or pivoting. It is used in orthopedic and sports medicine clinics, and sometimes in the operating room under anesthesia.

Anterior drawer test: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

The Anterior drawer test is a hands-on knee exam used to check the stability of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It looks for excessive forward movement of the shinbone (tibia) compared with the thighbone (femur). It is commonly used after sports injuries, falls, or twisting knee events. It is one part of a broader knee evaluation, not a standalone diagnosis.

Lachman test: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

The Lachman test is a hands-on knee exam used to assess the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It checks how much the shin bone (tibia) moves forward relative to the thigh bone (femur). It is commonly used in orthopedic clinics, sports medicine, emergency care, and physical therapy settings. It helps clinicians evaluate suspected ACL injury after a twist, pivot, or sports-related knee event.

CRPS after knee surgery: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

CRPS after knee surgery refers to complex regional pain syndrome that develops in the leg following an operation on the knee. It is a pain condition where symptoms are often out of proportion to what is expected from typical surgical healing. The term is commonly used in orthopedics, sports medicine, pain medicine, and physical therapy when postoperative pain becomes unusually persistent and multifaceted. It helps clinicians communicate a specific pattern of pain plus nervous-system and tissue changes that may require specialized evaluation.

Complex regional pain syndrome: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that can develop after an injury or medical procedure. It is defined by pain that is out of proportion to the original tissue injury and by changes in sensation, skin, and movement. It is commonly discussed in orthopedics, sports medicine, pain medicine, and rehabilitation settings. It can affect an arm or a leg, including the knee and lower limb after trauma or surgery.

Saphenous neuritis: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview

Saphenous neuritis is irritation or inflammation of the saphenous nerve, a sensory nerve on the inner (medial) side of the knee and lower leg. It can cause burning, tingling, sensitivity to touch, or sharp pain along the medial knee, shin, or ankle area. It is commonly discussed in orthopedic, sports medicine, and pain settings when medial knee pain does not match typical joint findings. It may occur after injury, overuse, or surgery around the knee, but it can also appear without a clear trigger.