What finding on a varus stress test indicates LCL injury?

What finding on a varus stress test indicates LCL injury?

• A. Medial gapping indicates LCL injury.
• B. Posterior translation indicates PCL injury.
• C. Increased lateral gapping suggests LCL injury.
• D. No change in laxity indicates LCL injury.

Answer: (C)

The varus stress test checks the knee’s lateral structures, especially the LCL, by applying a varus (inward) force to stress the outer side. If the LCL is torn or lax, the knee will open up laterally under that force, so you see increased lateral gapping compared with the uninjured side. That lateral laxity is what indicates an LCL injury. In contrast, medial gapping would suggest an MCL issue when valgus stress is used, posterior translation points to a PCL injury, and no change in laxity suggests the ligaments are intact.

The varus stress test checks the knee’s lateral structures, especially the LCL, by applying a varus (inward) force to stress the outer side. If the LCL is torn or lax, the knee will open up laterally under that force, so you see increased lateral gapping compared with the uninjured side. That lateral laxity is what indicates an LCL injury. In contrast, medial gapping would suggest an MCL issue when valgus stress is used, posterior translation points to a PCL injury, and no change in laxity suggests the ligaments are intact.