Medial Subtalar Glide Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing lateral stability of the Subtalar Joint.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient lies supine or sits with the leg stabilized.
- Action: Examiner grasps the talus with one hand to hold it steady.
- Movement: With the other hand, grasp the calcaneus (heel) and glide it medially (inwards) relative to the talus.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Excessive movement or opening (gapping) compared to the normal side.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Medial Subtalar Glide 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 Ankle & Foot region, combining the Medial Subtalar Glide Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment (7th ed.). Elsevier.
