drawer sign

drawer sign (drôr)

n.

An indication of laxity or a tear in the anterior or posterior cruciate ligments of the knee in which there is a forward or backward sliding of the tibia. Also called drawer test.

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drawer sign

Etymology: AS, dragan, to drag

a diagnostic sign of a ruptured or torn anterior cruciate or posterior cruciate ligament of the knee. Testing involves having the patient flex the knee at a right angle while the lower leg is grasped just below the knee and moved first toward, then away from the examiner. The test result is positive for the knee injury if the head of the tibia can be moved more than a half inch from the joint. See also anterior drawer sign or test.

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drawer sign

see anterior (cranial) drawer sign.

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drawer sign

Orthopedics A clinical finding characterized by forward sliding–caused by disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament or backward sliding–posterior cruciate of the tibia