Lelli Test

Description

Lelli test : Clinical test for the diagnosis of Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture

• Lelli test is carried out with patient in supine position, knee in full extension and heel touching the bed.
• A clenched fist is placed beneath the proximal calf just distal to tibial tuberosity.
• Gentle downwards pressure is applied over quadriceps tendon and the examiner looks to see if the heel ‘lifts off’ the bed.
• The test is positive if there is no heel lift-off and indicates likely ACL disruption

Developed in 2005 to better assess the functional aspects of ACL disruption

Associated Persons

• Alessandro Lelli [Lelli Test]
• John W Lachman (1919-2007) [Lachman Test]

Alternative names

• Lever Test

References

• Lelli A, Di Turi RP, Spenciner DB, Dòmini M. The “Lever Sign”: a new clinical test for the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2016 Sep;24(9):2794-7. doi: 10.1007/s00167-014-3490-7. Epub 2014 Dec 25. [PMID25536951]
• Deveci A et al. The arthroscopical and radiological corelation of lever sign test for the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Springerplus. 2015 Dec 30;4:830. doi: 10.1186/s40064-015-1628-9. eCollection 2015. [PMC4695483]
• Thapa SS, Lamichhane AP, Mahara DP. Accuracy of Lelli Test For Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear. Journal of Institute of Medicine, August, 2015, 37:2 91-94. [PDF]