Which test is used to assess anterior lateral rotatory instability?

• A. Slocum Test
• B. Martins Test
• C. Pivot Shift Test
• D. Thessaly Test

Answer: (B)

Anterior lateral rotatory instability arises when the knee’s anterolateral structures fail to restrain the tibia from translating anteriorly while the leg is rotated. The Martins test is designed to stress exactly that pattern by placing the knee in a position that highlights the combined anterior translation and external rotation of the tibia. A knee with this instability will show greater anterior laxity and a sense of giving way or apprehension during the maneuver compared with a normal knee, revealing the abnormal rotational laxity typical of injury to the ACL plus the anterolateral complex. Other tests may assess different aspects of knee stability or meniscal function, but this maneuver specifically targets the anterior lateral rotatory instability pattern.