Click to Play The McMurray test is a test used to determine the presence of a meniscal tear.  While the patient is supine on the exam table the examiner grasps the knee, placing one hand over the top of the knee with her thumb over one joint line and her index and middle finger over the opposite joint line.  The examiner begins with the knee in full flexion and then medially and laterally rotates the tibia while paying attention for an audible click.  The examiner then laterally rotates the tibia and extends the knee beyond 90 degrees.  An audible click while preforming this maneuver can indicate a torn medial meniscus.  To examine the lateral meniscus the examiner will return the knee to full flexion and apply a medial rotation to the tibia prior to extending the knee once again.

Click to Play The sulcus sign is an examination to determine the extent and/or presence of inferior instability of the glenohumeral joint.  This test can be administered with the patient either seated or standing with his arm relaxed at her side.  The examiner palpates the shoulder by placing her thumb and fingers on the anterior and posterior aspects of the humeral head.  The examiner grasps the patient's elbow with her other hand and applies a downward distraction force.  A positive test will result in a sulcus being formed between the acromion and the humeral head as the humeral head moves inferiorly while the force is being applied.

Click to Play The empty can test is used to assess for the presence of injury/pathology to the supraspinatus.  This test is also known as the supraspinatus strength test.  The patient is either seated or standing with his arms in a position of scapation (approximately 30-degrees of horizontal adduction with the shoulders abducted to 90-degrees).  The patient attempts to resist downward overpressure being applied by the examiner.  A positive result occurs when the patient is unable to resist the force.

Click to Play Adson's test is used to assess for the presence of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome at the scalene triangle. The patient is examined standing. The examiner palpates the radial pulse while moving the upper extremity in abduction, extension, and external rotation. The patient then is asked to rotate her head toward the involved side while taking a deep breath and holding it. A positive exam will result in a diminished or absent radial pulse.

Click to Play The heel percussion test (AKA bump or tap test) is used to differentiate a tibial stress fracture from medial tibial stress syndrome. The examiner stabilizes the patient's lower leg on the table and brings the foot into a relaxed neutral position. The examiner then applies a percussive force to the plantar surface of the heel toward the lower leg. A positive result of this exam will be the illicitation of localized pain at the point of the suspected fracture.

Click to Play Pott's Compression (AKA squeeze) test is used to assess for the presence of a fracture of the lower leg. The examiner places the pads his or her hands on either side of the upper portion of the leg, one being located just distal to the head of the fibula and the other being at the same level on the medial border of the tibia. The examiner then pushes his or her hands together to squeeze the tibia and fibula together. If the athlete reports a pain at the distal tibia or distal fibula the exam is considered positive.

Click to Play This test is used to determine if there is instability caused by a sprain of the Deltoid ligament of the ankle. The patient is examined in a seated position with his or her knee flexed over the end of the table and foot relaxed non-weight bearing. The examiner grasps the foot and rotates it laterally in the mortise of the ankle. Increased instability compared bilaterally with or without pain is an indication of a positive test. The examiner may also palpate a talar displacement.

Click to Play The talar tilt test is used to examine the integrity of the calcaneofibular or the deltoid ligament. The patient is seated confortably on the end of an exam table. Possible alternate positions can be sidelying or supine. The examiner grasps the foot and places it in anatomical position while stabilizing the tibia and fibula. To test the calcaneofibular ligament the examiner will adduct and invert the calcaneous into a varus position. The deltoid ligament is examined by abducting and everting the calcaneous into a valgus position. A positive test will result in laxity and/or pain.

Click to Play Homan's sign is used to determine the presence of a deep vein thrombophlebitis. The patient lies prone on the table with the knee fully extended. The examiner passively dorsiflexes the patient's ankle while palpating the calf. Pain in the calf and/or pain with palpation is considered a positive test.