Orthopedic Exam / Special Tests for Physical Therapy: KNEE
Minor Joint Effusion Test – Brush Test – Sweep Test:
(‘’knee hydrops test’’, ‘’knee effusion test’’, ‘’effusion wave test’’, ‘’bulge test’’, ’’sweep test’’, ‘’patellar sweep test’’, ‘’brush test’’, ‘’wipe test’’ or ‘’moderate stroke test’’)
Knee effusion or swelling of the knee (colloquially known as water on
the knee) occurs when excess synovial fluid accumulates in or around the
knee joint. There are many common causes for the swelling, including
arthritis, injury to the ligaments or meniscus, or fluid collecting in
the bursa, a condition known as prepatellar bursitis.
Special Test: Minor Joint Effusion Test – Brush Test – Sweep Test:
PURPOSE:
- To assess for lesser amounts of synovial fluid within the knee joint right after an injury. This is usually done after the Major Effusion Test comes up negative.
Video Demo Instructions, Procedure, Positive Test:
Minor Joint Effusion Test – Brush Test – Sweep Test:
Video Demo (Procedure below):
Minor Effusion Test – Brush Test: : PROCEDURE:
• Patient is supine, their affected knee is extended as much as they can
• Therapist slowly sweeps the effusion from the superior lateral aspect of the knee and suprapatellar pouch.
Minor Joint Effusion Test – Brush Test – Sweep Test:
POSITIVE SIGN:
- A bulge inferior to the patella appears within two seconds, the positive test will indicate from 4-8 millimeters of extra synovial fluid within the joint. This could be caused by cruciate or meniscal damage and is considered a Medical Emergency.