Lateral Step Down Test
Other Names
- Lateral Step Down Test (LSDT)
- One Legged Squat Test
- Step-Down Test
- Lateral Step-Down Test
- Step Down Test (SDT)
- Single-Leg Step-Down Test
- Lateral Step Down Assessment
- Step-Down Functional Test
- Single-Leg Step Down Test
- Eccentric Step-Down Test
- Lateral Single-Leg Squat Test
Purpose
- Evaluate cause of knee pain
- Note: similar to Step Down Test, except patient moves in lateral direction
Description
- The patient stands with the involved leg on a 15 cm step.
- Hands are on waist, contralateral leg hanging over floor
- Note: this will require most to bend the knee at about 60° during the test.
- The patient is asked to reach down and touch the opposite, noninvolved heel to the ground, then return to the starting position
- Positive test
- The patient should be rated on the criteria
- Score 0-1 good, 2-3 average, 4+ poor quality of movement
- Scoring
- Arm movement (1 pt)
- Trunk movement (1 pt)
- Pelvis rotation (1 pt)
- Knee position (1 pt if crosses midline 2 nd toe, 2 pts if crosses midline medial foot)
- Stance maintenance (1 pt)
- Note
- Dynamic patellar testing assesses trunk/pelvic stability as well
- Weak hip abductors increase medial femoral rotation/valgus knee strain with PFPS
Pathology
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Evaluate muscle strength (hip abductor)
- Evaluate risk of falling
Evidence
- Unknown
See Also
References
- ↑ Lampros, Rachel E., and Miho J. Tanaka. "Return to play considerations after patellar instability." Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine 15.6 (2022): 597-605.
Created by:
John Kiel on 19 January 2022 16:51:45
Authors:
Last edited:
23 January 2026 14:02:17
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