Execution
- 1Ask the patient to squat fully if safe.
- 2Ask the patient to walk forward in the squatted position.
- 3Observe knee alignment, ability to maintain the squat, and pain behavior.
- 4Ask whether joint line pain, catching, or locking occurs.
- 5Stop if pain, instability, or balance loss occurs.
Positive outcome
Posterior knee pain, joint line pain, clicking, catching, or inability to complete the duck walk is positive. The sign is traditionally associated with meniscus pathology, especially posterior horn involvement. It is not specific and can provoke many painful knee disorders.
Studies
| Study | Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childress (1957) | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
CommentChildress' sign is a functional compression and rotation screen. It lacks robust modern diagnostic accuracy and is not appropriate for many acute or painful knees. Value is low despite its historical inclusion in meniscus test lists.
Low Clinical Value