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Valgus Stress Test

Valgus Stress Test


Name
Purpose
Description
Sensitivity, Specificity
Validity, Reliability
Likelihood Ratio +/-
Valgus Stress Test
An assessment for one-plane medial instability (gapping of the tibia away from the femur on the medial side).[1]
The therapist applies a valgus stress at the knee while the ankle is stabilized in slight lateral rotation either with the hand or with the leg held between the examiner’s arm and trunk. The knee is first in full extension, and then it is slightly (20-30 degrees) so that it is “unlocked”.1
 
Sensitivity
86%[2]
 
 
K=0.16[3]
N/A



[1] Magee DJ. Orthopedic Physical Assessment: 5th Edition. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier;2008.
 
[2] Harilainen A. Evaluation of Knee Instability in Acute Ligamentous Injuries. Ann Chir Gynaecol. 1987; 76: 269-273.
[3] McClure P,W et al. Intertester reliability of clinical judgements of medial knee ligament integrity. Phys Ther. 1989;69:268-275.