Knee
Other Tests
Evidence: confirmed
Popliteal Angle Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Assessing Hamstring Tightness (Contracture), commonly in Cerebral Palsy.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient supine, hip flexed 90°.
- Action: Extend the knee until resistance is felt.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Angle >50° indicates abnormal tightness.
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Popliteal Angle 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 Popliteal Angle Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
