Anterior instability of the knee: usefulness of the KT 1000 arthrometer

Inestabilidad anterior de la rodilla: utilidad del artrómetro KT 1000

Joint laxity is associated to joint hypermobility and can lead to subluxation or dislocation when excessive. Passive stability of the knee is given by several factors, such as, ligament compounds; of which the anterior cruciate ligament, an anterior and rotational stabilizer, is the most frequently injured. Its functional impairment causes antero-lateral instability associated to arthrosis and other middle and long term injuries. The Lachmann test is highly sensible and specific for clinical diagnosis but has not proved to be useful for the follow-up of patients due to the subjectivity of its quantification. During the 80s, several testing devices such as the KT 1000 ( MedMetric, San Diego, CA, USA), were developed in an attempt to quantify knee stability. This is a sensible device and has a high inter and intra examiner and inter test variability and the results reflect joint laxity, but must be interpreted carefully. It is a useful and valid tool f or the assessment and follow-up of anterior instability of the knee.

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