Influences of Clinician Technique on Performance and Interpretation of the Lachman Test

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influences of clinician technique on performance and interpretation of the Lachman test. DESIGN AND SETTING: Blinded, controlled, and randomized-block design clinical study conducted in an athletic training laboratory classroom. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two certified athletic trainer clinicians and 12 model patients. MEASUREMENTS: We used video analyses of 3-dimensional kinematics to identify variations in clinician technique. Each clinician's technique was classified according to the demonstrated grip configuration and test style. RESULTS: Clinician grip configuration was found to relate to performance and interpretation of the Lachman test. Clinicians demonstrating proximal "tibia-hand" placement were more likely to correctly perform and interpret the Lachman test than clinicians demonstrating distal tibia-hand placement. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should use the correct techniques when attempting to evaluate and interpret athletic injuries.