Knee or elbow pain? Let's learn about Valgus and Varus tests (Stress Tests)!

Sometimes, when you play sports, go down stairs, or fall suddenly, you can feel a sharp pain in your knee or elbow. When you go to the doctor at such a time, he will hold your limb and slowly move it back and forth, pressing it a little, right? Today, we will talk about two special tests that are done to see if you are in pain at that time and if the joint feels loose.

Simply put, what are these Valgus and Varus tests?

These are two simple physical tests your doctor will do to check for damage to the ligaments in your knee or elbow. This doesn't require a big machine. The doctor will use his hands to move your joint and apply a little pressure.

On both sides of our knees and elbows, that is, on the inside and outside, there are strong tissues that help keep the joint stable. We call these collateral ligaments .

• The ligament on the inside is called the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) .
• The ligament on the outside is called the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) .

Think of these two ligaments as the hinges on a door. They stop the knee or elbow from twisting unnecessarily from side to side. Valgus and Varus tests look to see if these "hinges" are damaged or loose.

These tests are usually done the first time you see a doctor with knee or elbow pain. However, this alone does not complete the diagnosis. With the information obtained from this, you may be referred for further tests if necessary.

When should this test be done?

If you have knee or elbow pain, or if you have had an accident with your arm or leg, your doctor may order these tests. People who play sports are especially prone to ligament injuries. When a ligament is pulled, we call it a sprain , and when it is completely torn, we call it a tear .

If one of your ligaments is damaged, you may experience symptoms like:

What is the difference between Valgus and Varus tests?

These two tests are very similar. The only difference is the direction in which the doctor applies pressure to your joint. Let's explain this simply.

• Valgus Stress Test: "Valgus" is a medical term for a force applied toward the center, or inward, of the body . In this test, the doctor will hold the outside of your knee or elbow and apply pressure in a way that pushes the joint inward. Imagine, you are making a knock-knees movement. At this time, the MCL ligament on the inside is stretched. If you feel pain at that time, or if the joint moves inward more than necessary, it means that the MCL ligament is damaged.

• Varus Stress Test: "Varus" is the opposite of Valgus. It refers to a force applied from the center of the body outward . Here, the doctor will hold your joint from the inside and apply pressure to the outside of the joint. This will create a bow-legged motion. This will stretch the LCL ligament on the outside. If you experience pain or the joint moves too far outward, this indicates that the LCL ligament is damaged.

How does the doctor perform this test?

There is nothing special you need to prepare for this test. The way the doctor does this is very simple.

• First, you will be asked to lie down on the examination bed.
• Then the doctor will lift and hold the leg or arm you want to examine.
• Place one hand just above your knee or elbow, and grasp the lower part (near the ankle or wrist) with the other hand.
• Now the doctor is very gently, carefully applying the Valgus (inward) and Varus (outward) pressure we talked about earlier.
• If you are examining the knee, you may want to do this test once with the knee completely straight and then again with the knee slightly bent.

During this test, it's important to tell your doctor exactly what you're feeling . If you feel any pain or discomfort, tell him or her. The doctor will also listen carefully to see if you hear any sounds (like popping) coming from your joint or if the joint feels loose.

What happens after the test?

Valgus and Varus tests are only the first step in the diagnostic process. If this test suggests that a ligament has been damaged, your doctor will recommend further tests to confirm the diagnosis.

The most commonly ordered tests are:

• X-ray: Check for bone damage.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan: This is the best way to clearly see damage to soft tissues like ligaments and cartilage.
• Ultrasound scan: In some cases, this is also used to check the condition of the ligaments.

Sometimes, if the damage is severe or the diagnosis is unclear, your doctor may recommend an arthroscopy . This involves making a very small incision in the joint and inserting a small camera through it to look directly at the inside of the joint. Although this is a minor procedure, you can often go home the same day.

What time should I see a doctor?

If your pain or swelling does not subside after a few days of an accident, or if it gets worse, be sure to see your doctor .

However, if you have any of the following symptoms, go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately .

• If there is severe, unbearable pain .
• If the swelling is getting worse .
• If the skin around the joint turns blue or purple .
• If you can't move your knee or elbow at all .

In a situation like this, it is very important to seek treatment quickly.

Knee pain, Elbow pain, Ligament injuries, Valgus test, Varus test, MCL injuries, LCL injuries