EXTERNAL ROTATION

RECURVATUM TEST

​• Test positioning

The client lies supine.

The therapist stands and grasps a great toe with each hand.

​• Action

Lift both legs of the table (vertically) by the great toes.

​• Positive finding

An increase in hyperextension and external tibial rotation as compared to the uninvolved knee is indicative of posterolateral rotary instability (secondary to damage of primarily the PCL, LCL, posterolateral capsule, and arcuate complex).

​• Special considerations & comments

It is important for the therapist to recognize that a positive finding may not be indicative of any pathology and instead may simply be representative of one's normal joint extensibility.

The External Rotation Recurvatum Test is attributed to Dr. Freddie Fu for his work on posterolateral knee instability, with contributions from Dr. James Cyriax’s work in orthopedic manual therapy for knee instability assessment.