Mike Boisselle

Geared Towards Athletic Training Students

Special Tests
Specific procedures applied
to determine the presence of
pathomechanics
Unique to each structure,
joint, or body part
Bilateral Comparison
Keep In Mind While Performing
Special Tests
Anatomy
Isolate
Stabilize
Bilateral comparison
Patient position
Positive signs
Medical Emergencies
Homans Sign
Patient is in supine position,
in knee extension
Dorsiflex patient and squeeze
gastroc
Positive sign-pain
Pain indicating
thrombophlebitis
Anterior Drawer Test
Patient seated legs over
table
Stabilize distal tibia and
fibula
Apply anterior force to
calcaneus
Positive test: pain and/or
laxity
Indicating anterior
talofibular ligament sprain
Talar Tilt (Inversion)
Patient sitting with legs over
table
Stabilize distal tibia, and grasp
talus
Tilt the talus into adduction
Pain and/or laxity indicates
calcaneofibular ligament damage
Talar Tilt (Eversion)
Patient sitting with legs over
table
Stabilize distal tibia, and grasp
calcaneus
Tilt the calcaneus into
abduction
Pain and/or laxity indicates
deltoid ligament damage

Thompson Test
Patient prone on table with
heels off edge
Examiner squeezes muscle belly
of gastrocnemius-soleus
complex
Normal response is slight
plantar flexion
Absence of plantar flexion
indicates Achilles tendon
rupture
Tap or Percussion Test
Patient sitting with feet over
tables edge
Passively dorsiflex patient
Apply a firm tap to patients heel
Pain is indicative of possible
fracture

Feiss Line
Patient seated legs over table
Draw a dot on medial
malleolus, and first MTP joint
Draw a line connecting dots
Observe the navicular tubercle
Weight bearing and non weight
bearing
Feiss Line (continued)
Non weight bearing
navicular drop
Indicates congenital pes
planus


Weight bearing navicular
drop
Indicates functional pes
planus
Interdigital Neuroma Test
Patient seated with legs over
table
Squeeze the metatarsal heads
together 3 minutes

Pain, tingling, numbness in
the foot, toe or ankle
Positive test indicating
interdigital neuroma
Compression Test
Patient sitting feet just over
edge
Compress the tibia and
fibula
Start away from pain, work
towards
Pain may indicate fracture
That cannot be
right
Kleigers Test
Patient sitting at edge of table
Stabilize distal tibia and fibula
Grasp calcaneus
Dorsiflex and externally rotate
Pain or laxity indicates
syndesmosis sprain
Tinels Sign
Patient sits with feet at edge of
table
Tap posterior tibial nerve on
medial side
Positive test- radiating pain and
tingling
Indicative of tarsal tunnel
syndrome