When would you perform an Anterior Drawer test of the ankle, and what does a positive result indicate?

When would you perform an Anterior Drawer test of the ankle, and what does a positive result indicate?

• A. For knee ACL tear; positive result indicates laxity
• B. In suspected ATFL injury from inversion ankle sprain; excessive anterior translation indicates ligament laxity/insufficiency.
• C. For high ankle sprain; positive result indicates syndesmosis injury
• D. For ankle fracture; positive result indicates bone injury

Answer: (B)

The Anterior Drawer test of the ankle is used to assess the ATFL (anterior talofibular ligament) integrity after an inversion ankle sprain. The test checks how much the talus can move forward (translate anteriorly) relative to the tibia when the foot is stabilized. A positive result means there is excessive anterior translation, often with pain, which indicates ATFL laxity or insufficiency—typically a tear or stretch from the sprain. This test is specifically about the ankle and ATFL injury from inversion sprains, not about the knee or its ligaments, not about high ankle (syndesmotic) injuries, and not about bone fractures. So a positive anterior drawer finding points to ATFL injury rather than a knee ACL issue, a syndesmosis problem, or a fracture.

The Anterior Drawer test of the ankle is used to assess the ATFL (anterior talofibular ligament) integrity after an inversion ankle sprain. The test checks how much the talus can move forward (translate anteriorly) relative to the tibia when the foot is stabilized. A positive result means there is excessive anterior translation, often with pain, which indicates ATFL laxity or insufficiency—typically a tear or stretch from the sprain.

This test is specifically about the ankle and ATFL injury from inversion sprains, not about the knee or its ligaments, not about high ankle (syndesmotic) injuries, and not about bone fractures. So a positive anterior drawer finding points to ATFL injury rather than a knee ACL issue, a syndesmosis problem, or a fracture.