Question

1. During hurdling practice, a student falls down. During the fall, you noticed that the student's knee was flexed, and her foot was pointing downward. She is then diagnosed with a positive "sag test." What does this mean?

What immediate care should be provided?

Answer 1

A positive "sag test" indicates that there is damage to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in the knee joint. This ligament is responsible for connecting the thighbone to the shinbone and helps to stabilize the knee. When the knee is flexed and the foot is pointing downward, the weight of the upper leg causes the lower leg to sag backward, indicating that the PCL is not functioning properly.

Immediate care for this injury should involve immobilizing the knee joint using a brace or splint and applying ice to reduce swelling. The student should also avoid putting weight on the affected leg and rest until further medical evaluation. A medical professional should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment plan, which may include physical therapy, rehabilitation exercises, or surgery.