How accurate is the lever test in diagnosing ACL injury?

Question

Hello doctor,

How accurate in your opinion is the Lelli ACL (Lever test)? I am almost three months post-op of having my ACL reconstructed along with a few lesions addressed during the surgery. I am concerned I have ruptured my ACL again after feeling a short sharp pain when turning in the sand on vacation. It has been three days since the incident and the knee now feels a lot looser and I have some pain in different areas. I have tried the Lachman test with no noticeable shifting, and the Lelli test was positive with good leverage hopefully assisted by my intact ACL. I will have to see my surgeon and physio soon but I am just wondering how accurate the Lelli test is. There seems to be no difference when comparing the test in both knees.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read through the concern.

The Lelli test is accurate in diagnosing acute on chronic ACL tears, more sensitive than many other traditional tests performed in an acute condition, especially partial and acute tears.

Do not be afraid. Keep calm. Take precautions not to strain and exert your knee. Keep it supported with an ACL brace until you get properly diagnosed by a good orthopedic or physio.

Do not jump to a conclusion and keep worrying as you might not be accurate enough to say the reason for translation as there could be many factors like muscle inhibitions and imbalances that exist post surgery which may all confuse you leading to false positive tests.

Hope this is helpful. Kindly revert back in case you need any further help in this regard.

For more information consult a physiotherapist online