Collateral ligament injury

• Valgus/varus stress test:

  • With patient lying supine lift their leg and hold their ankle between your elbow and side
  • Flex the knee to 15 degrees and hold it in place with one hand
  • Apply stress to the knee joint on each side with other hand:
  • To test MCL apply valgus stress (push lateral aspect of knee inwards)
  • To test LCL apply varus stress (push medial aspect of knee outwards)
  • If there is ligament laxity or rupture there will be movement and a palpable gap on the medial/lateral aspect of the joint