Dial Test

Other Names

• External rotation test

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Purpose

Dial test performed with the patient in prone position with the knees flexed to 90° and 30°. The knees are flexed to 90° in the left photograph and 30° in the right photograph.

• Evaluate for posterolateral instability of the joint, specifically the Posterolateral Corner
• Contents of posterolateral corner include:
  • Lateral Collateral Ligament
  • Popliteus complex
  • Popliteofibular ligament
  • Posterolateral capsule
• The goal of the test is to the degree of external rotation at the knee

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Description

• The patient should be prone with examiner at the foot of the bed
• Knees flexed to 30° with hands on patients feet the examiner externally rotates the leg
• The foot-thigh angle is measured and compared to the unaffected limb
• The knees are then flexed to 90° and the external rotation is again performed
• A positive test
  • Increase in external rotation, typically by more than 10° compared to the unaffected knee
  • Note that this test can often be "eye balled" and objective measurement is not necessarily required

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Pathology

• Posterolateral Corner Injury
• PCL Injury

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Evidence

• Unknown

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See Also

• Knee Pain (Main)
• Physical Exam Knee

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