The Stabilized Lachman’s Test: A Highly Sensitive, Specific and Accurate Test to Diagnose Acute ACL Tears

• DOI: 10.60118/001c.94221
• Publication Date: 2024-08-03T22:46:49Z
• Authors: Austin Wetzler; Sara Ruzzi; Rachel Keller; Aakash Patel; Yash Chaudhry; Merrick Wetzler
• Keywords: Lachman test; ACL injury

Background The Lachman’s Test (LT) is the one of most relied tests for clinical diagnosis a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). accuracy traditional LT largely dependent on skill and experience observer as well timing knee was examined in respect to injury. Wroble & Linderfeld first described stabilized (SLT) 1988. examiner’s thigh placed underneath supports while hand (the opposite extremity being examined) used stabilize thigh. Purpose purpose this study prospectively analyze sensitivity, specificity, SLT diagnose acute ACL tears. hypothesis that very sensitive, specific, accurate test deficiency acutely injured knees. Methods Two hundred patients with injuries were studied. All within 30 days injury (average – 8.3 days). Any previous ipsilateral or contralateral ligament excluded from study. knees prior examining interviewing patient. There 83 (41.5%) females 117 (58.5%) males an average age 27.3 years. results not graded but recorded positive negative result. tears definitively diagnosed MRI. Results On initial examination there 46 (23%) had 154 (77%) considered negative. Forty-eight (24%) 152 (76%) knees, found be intact by produced 44 (22%) true positives 150 (75%) negatives 4 (2%) false 2 (1%) positives. resulting sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 98.7% 97%. predictive value 95.7% 97.0%. likelihood ratio 69.9 ration 0.085 Discussion highly specific diagnosing knee. advantage it allows patient relax leg easily because resting stable object. examiner will feel lower increased pressure their own soon they performed. can now control leg’s rotation even large thighs clinicians smaller hands, thus increasing reliability reproducibility SLT. Conclusion has advantages over standard LT. valuable tool armament clinician’s physical exam diagnostic testing. It beneficial at least try compare LT, especially those less experience.