Execution
- 1Position the patient supine with the knee initially flexed.
- 2Control the foot and proximal tibia while applying valgus stress.
- 3Add tibial internal rotation or the described rotatory load.
- 4Move the knee through flexion and extension to provoke anterolateral rotatory instability.
- 5Observe for a shift, clunk, giving way, or apprehension.
Positive outcome
A palpable or visible rotatory shift, giving way, clunk, or apprehension is positive. The finding suggests ACL-related rotatory instability rather than isolated straight anterior laxity. A negative result is common in guarded or low-grade injuries.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martens et al. (1984) | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentMartens' test is an older rotatory instability variant and is much less supported than Lachman or the standard pivot shift. It may describe the same functional problem as other pivot-shift family tests. Treat it as historical or adjunctive unless your dataset has a specific procedural reason to keep it.
Low Clinical Value