Anterior Drawer Test

How do you perform an anterior drawer test?

The anterior drawer test lets your provider check how far your knee moves, and if parts of it move further than they should. The test includes the following steps:

• You’ll lie on your back (supine).
• Your provider will move your thigh 45 degrees away from the exam table (halfway between flat and fully extended).
• Your provider will bend your knee 90 degrees (perpendicular to your thigh).
• They’ll lean their weight on your foot to hold it in place.
• They’ll hold your lower leg right below your knee.
• Your provider will gently pull your lower leg toward themselves (move it anteriorly).

Your provider might perform an anterior drawer test on your uninjured knee first. This will help them understand your baseline range of motion.

They might also push your lower leg away from themselves and toward the table (posteriorly). Healthcare providers sometimes call this a posterior drawer test, and some perform it at the same time as an anterior drawer test.

If your ACL is torn, your lower leg will move further away from your upper leg than it should. Usually, your ACL connects your lower leg to your thigh and stops it from moving too far. If your ACL is damaged or torn, your lower leg will move more than usual because there’s not as much support holding it in place.

How do I prepare for the anterior drawer test?

You don’t need to do anything to prepare for the anterior drawer test. Visit a healthcare provider as soon as possible after you injure your knee or you notice any symptoms or have trouble moving your knee or leg.

What should I expect during the anterior drawer test?

Try to relax during the test. Your provider will ask you to relax your hamstrings and other leg muscles. Tell your provider how you’re feeling throughout the test, especially if any movement or position hurts a lot or makes your pain worse.

What should I expect after the anterior drawer test?

Your provider might use some imaging tests to confirm an ACL tear. An anterior drawer test is usually very accurate, but imaging tests can show exactly where (and how much) your ACL is torn. You might need:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Ultrasound.
• X-rays (to check for damage to your bones).

You might also need a knee arthroscopy to diagnose or repair damage inside your knee. Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that lets your surgeon see inside your knee joint with a tiny camera. Most knee arthroscopies are outpatient procedures, meaning you can go home the same day.

Are there any risks to an anterior drawer test?

There are no risks to your knee during an anterior drawer test.

You might feel a little pain or discomfort during the test, but even if your ACL is torn, you shouldn’t feel intense pain.