Abstract

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. Verf.-Referat