posterior drawer test

Indications

• test posterior cruciate ligament

Procedure

• with the patient supine, knee flexed at 90 degrees, hold the proximal tibia with both hands, with thumbs palpating the tibial plateau, then push proximal tibia away from you

Interpretation

• posterior movement & loss of the tibial plateau on palpation is a positive sign

More general terms

• physical examination of the knee

Additional terms

• knee pain
• posterior cruciate ligament (PCL, ligamentum cruciatum posterius)