What is the Posterior Drawer Test (Knee) used for?

Assessing the integrity of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL).

How do you perform the Posterior Drawer Test (Knee)?

Position: Patient lies supine, hip flexed 45°, knee flexed 90°. Action: Examiner sits on the foot. Place hands on proximal tibia with thumbs on tibial tuberosity.Force: Push the tibia posteriorly (backward).

What is a positive result for the Posterior Drawer Test (Knee)?

Positive Test: Excessive posterior translation or lack of a firm end-feel.

What is the diagnostic accuracy of the Posterior Drawer Test (Knee)?

Sensitivity: 90%Specificity: 99%

Posterior Drawer Test (Knee) – Knee Special Test

What is it used for?

Assessing the integrity of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL).

How to Perform

Position: Patient lies supine, hip flexed 45°, knee flexed 90°.
Action: Examiner sits on the foot. Place hands on proximal tibia with thumbs on tibial tuberosity.
Force: Push the tibia posteriorly (backward).

Interpretation of Results

Positive Test: Excessive posterior translation or lack of a firm end-feel.

Diagnostic Accuracy

Sensitivity: 90%
Specificity: 99%

Clinical Context & Limitations

The Posterior Drawer Test (Knee) 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 Posterior Drawer Test (Knee) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.