What Is Anterior Drawer Test Exactly?

Anterior drawer test is used for evaluating ligament movement or its instability in the ankle. The primary purpose of performing this test is to assess the functionality and strength of the anterior talofibular ligament. It is not that challenging; all you need to do is sit down and let your doctor handle everything.

What is the “anterior drawer test?”

In this test, your doctor will test your knee and assess it to find out if there is an ACL injury or not. More or less times it is often used along with a Lachman test, an MRI or a pivot shift test.

How To Perform Anterior Drawer Test?

Lay and put pressure on your back with the knee pointing at a 90 degrees angle and foot in neutral poise.
Your doctor will sit on your foot.
Gently, they envelop your knee with their hands around the back with thumbs on the front of your kneecap.
The knee is pulled forward.
He then moves the foot to a different direction via rotation and pull forward once more.

Positive Anterior Drawer Test

This test is first performed on the injured side of the knee. If your shinbone or tibia shows movement more than usual, or if your ligament is loose in comparison with the other, then the anterior drawer test is deemed positive.

Limitations

Every test has some kind of limits to it. Usually, the diagnosis of knee injuries is made physically. They are enough to find out if the injury is positive. Some studies reveal that the anterior drawer test is mostly 94% accurate and shows better tears than imaging tests.

However, some factors may conclude false results:

Bending 90 degrees is a task if the knees are swollen.
A torn meniscus affects movements between the test.
A hamstring spasm
Inaccurate positioning of the doctor
You are in discomfort

Treatment after Positive Anterior Drawer Test

If you have a positive anterior drawer test along with other positive tests and scans, your doctor or therapist might suggest that you:

Take NSAIDs – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and inflammation
Cold compress for the knee
Do physiotherapy
Braces for the knee
Get surgery for your knee

If the sprain is moderate and does not interrupt your quality of life, you do not need surgery to heal an ACL injury. In case you are not into high-intensity sports or any kind of gaming, physiotherapy is enough.

Severe injury results in troubled movements and distorted walking. A major hit may cause instability and increased damage to your knee. If you continue with your high-intensity sports or a very active lifestyle, you will probably need surgery.

Conclusion

Re-spraining your ACL is quite standard and happens after surgery. Therefore if for instance, you suspect of a knee injury, get your bone doctor on board. They will help you choose the right test and treatment according to your condition. Contact doctors from Rheumatology Care of North Houston for help.