Tools & Resources

• How OA Affects Your Knee
• Exercises for Sore Knees
• Sports Injury Quiz
• Patellar Tracking Disorder
• Arthritis Pain Q&A
• Total Knee Replacement

Knee Tests

• Physical examination: By examining the location of knee pain and looking for swelling or abnormal movement, a doctor gathers information about potential causes of damage or stress on the knee.
• Drawer test: With the knee bent, a doctor can pull (anterior drawer test) and push (posterior drawer test) the lower leg while holding the foot stable to check the stability of the ACL and PCL knee ligaments.
• Valgus stress test: Pushing the calf outward while holding the thigh stable, a doctor can check for injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL). Pushing the calf inward (varus stress test), a doctor can look for injury to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
• Knee X-ray: A plain X-ray film of the knee is typically the best initial imaging test for most knee conditions.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan): Using high-energy magnetic waves, an MRI scanner creates highly detailed images of the knee and leg. An MRI scan is the most-often used method of detecting ligament and meniscal injuries.
• Arthrocentesis of the knee (joint aspiration): A needle is inserted into the joint space inside the knee, and fluid is drawn out. Various forms of arthritis may be diagnosed through knee arthrocentesis.
• Arthroscopy: A surgical procedure that allows examination of the knee with an endoscope.