Knee
Valgus and varus stress test
- What you examine
- Injury of the collateral ligaments.
- Procedure
- Test in full extension and at 30 degrees of flexion. Apply valgus for the medial ligament, varus for the lateral one.
- Positive when
- Increased opening with a soft end feel.
- What the test is worth
- Opening at 30 degrees of flexion points to the collateral ligament alone; opening in full extension means the capsule or a cruciate ligament is involved as well.
- Caution
- Always compare with the other knee: physiological laxity varies widely between people.
- Joint
- Knee joint
- Body region
- Knee