Loomer’s Posterolateral Rotary Instability Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Diagnosing Posterolateral Corner (PLC) injury.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient supine, hips and knees flexed to 90°.
- Action: Examiner grasps the heels and maximally externally rotates both tibias.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Excessive external rotation on the injured side, often accompanied by the tibia dropping posteriorly (sag).
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Loomer’s Posterolateral Rotary Instability Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Knee region, combining the Loomer’s Posterolateral Rotary Instability Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
