To better understand the mechanics of this test and why it is effective, you may want to review basic knee anatomy.
What is Apley’s Test of the Knee?
Apley’s Test is commonly used in orthopedic examinations to test for injury or damage to the meniscus of the knee.
Involved Structures
- meniscus of the knee
Andrewmeyerson, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Starting Position
The test is performed with the patient lying in the prone position. The knee is flexed to 90 degrees. The examiner stabilizes the patient’s thigh to the treatment table by placing their knee on the back of the thigh. The examiner holds the patient’s foot and ankle with their hands.
Test Movement
The examiner applies upward force to the lower leg by lifting at the ankle while also medially and then laterally rotating the lower leg. The same medial and lateral rotations are then done to the lower leg but with a downward compression force.
Positive Apley’s Test
The test is indicative of meniscal injury of there is pain during the compression portion of the test. If there is more pain during the distraction portion of the test, there is likely ligamentous injury in the knee.
Accuracy/Reliability of Apley’s Test
Apley’s Test is useful for detecting pathology in the knee but it may not be especially specific to the involved structures.
- Sensitivity: 83.7%
- Specificity: 71.4%
- Positive Likelihood Ratio: 2.9
- Negative Likelihood Ratio: 0.2
References:
Video Demonstration
video source: www.sportsinjuryclinic.net
>> Return to the list of Common Tests in Orthopaedic Examination of the Knee
Here are some other articles you may be interested in:
- Introduction to Osteoarthritis of the Knee
- Lachman’s Test – for ACL integrity
- Bounce Home Test – for meniscus injury