In the anterior drawer test protocol, what is translated?

In the anterior drawer test protocol, what is translated?

• A. Posterior tibial translation
• B. Anterior tibial translation
• C. Medial tibial translation
• D. Lateral tibial translation

Answer: (B)

The test is looking at anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur. In this protocol, the knee is bent to about 90 degrees and the examiner pulls the tibia forward. The ACL normally resists this forward movement, so with a healthy ACL you’ll see only a small amount of anterior translation. If the ACL is torn or lax, there’s excessive anterior movement of the tibia, indicating injury. That’s why the correct answer is anterior tibial translation. Posterior tibial translation would relate to the PCL, and medial or lateral translation isn’t what this test measures.

The test is looking at anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur. In this protocol, the knee is bent to about 90 degrees and the examiner pulls the tibia forward. The ACL normally resists this forward movement, so with a healthy ACL you’ll see only a small amount of anterior translation. If the ACL is torn or lax, there’s excessive anterior movement of the tibia, indicating injury.

That’s why the correct answer is anterior tibial translation. Posterior tibial translation would relate to the PCL, and medial or lateral translation isn’t what this test measures.