Minor Effusion Test (aka Brush Test)

Purpose:
To assess for lesser amounts of synovial fluid within the knee joint right after an injury. This is usually done after the Major Effusion Test comes up negative.

Procedure:

• Patient is supine, their affected knee is extended as much as they can
• Therapist slowly sweeps the effusion from the superior lateral aspect of the knee and suprapatellar pouch

Positive Sign:
A bulge inferior to the patella appears within two seconds, the positive test will indicate from 4-8 millimeters of extra synovial fluid within the joint. This could be caused by cruciate or meniscal damage and is considered a Medical Emergency.