Lachman’s Test

Testing for :
The integrity of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). The Lachman’s test is considered to be the most accurate test for ACL integrity.

Procedure 1:

• Patient is supine
• Patient’s affected knee is flexed 30°
• Therapist stabilizes distal femur with one hand while grasping patient’s proximal tibia with the other hand
• Therapist applies an anteriorly directed stress the tibia.

Procedure 2:

• Patient is seated with their affected leg over the edge of the table
• Therapist sits in front of the patient, supporting the patient’s ankle on therapist’s thigh
• Therapist places patient’s knee in 30° flexion
• Therapist stabilizes the distal femur with one hand
• Therapist applies anteriorly directed stress on the proximal tibia with the other hand

Positive Sign:
Pain or excessive anterior motion of the tibia, and disappearance of the infrapatellar tendon slope.