Ankle Anterior Drawer Test

Published July 2, 2026 Read time 1 min read Readers 2
Anterior Ankle Drawer Test

What is the "Ankle Anterior Drawer Test" used for?

  • Injuries to the anterior talofibular ligament
  • Anterior Talofibular Ligament injury and/ or ligamentous instability

How to perform the "Ankle Anterior Drawer Test"?

  • The patient lies supine with the foot relaxed.
  • The examiner stabilizes the tibia and fibula, holds the patient’s foot in 20° of plantar flexion, and draws the talus forward in the ankle mortise

What is the positive result?

  • POSITIVE TEST
    • Excessive anterior translation.
    • Sometimes, a dimple appears over the area of the anterior talofibular ligament on anterior translation (dimple or suction sign) if pain and muscle spasm are minimal

References

  • Polzer, Hans & Kanz, Karl-Georg & Prall, Wolf & Haasters, Florian & Ockert, Ben & Mutschler, W. & Grote, Stefan. (2012). Diagnosis and treatment of acute ankle injuries: Development of an evidence-based algorithm. Orthopedic reviews. 4. e5. 10.4081/or.2012.e5. Link
  • Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System 3rd Edition.
  • Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, And Intervention 3rd Edition.