Knee to Wall Test
Purpose
The Knee to Wall Test, which is alternatively known as Weight-bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) or Dorsiflexion Lunge Test (DFT) is used to assess dorsiflexion range of movement at the ankle joint.[1][2][3]
Technique
This test is conducted using a wall and measured using a standard tape measure (cm or inches). Below describes the steps needed to perform this test:
- The participant starts by facing directly in front of the wall, with feet facing forwards and toes touching the wall.
- The leg not being tested can rest on the the floor in a kneeling position or rested bent or straight in standing. Participants are allowed to hold onto the wall for support.
- The ankle being tested is gradually and incrementally moved backwards away from the wall, and the participant is instructed to 'lunge' forwards in order for their knee to touch the wall, without their heel lifting off the floor. The heel is required to remain in contact with the floor at all times.
- This process continues and the foot continues to move away from the wall until the point where the knee can only make contact with the wall, without the heel lifting off the floor. This puts the ankle joint in maximal dorsiflexion.
- The distance from the wall to the tip of the big toe is recorded. The distance is measured in centimetres (cm) or inches. Each centimetre corresponds to approximately 3.6° of ankle dorsiflexion.[4]
Ankle dorsiflexion can also be measured with a goniometer and does not necessarily require a wall, particularly in cases where there are functional limitations to this position. Another alternate measuring method is to keep a digital inclinometer at the tibial tuberosity during the final position of lunge (knee in contact with the wall without lifting the heel) and is used to measure the angle of the tibia in relation to the ground.[2]
Evidence
The inter-rater reliability for the distance measured for the weight bearing lunge test was R = 0.99 (95% CL: 0.97 - 0.99).[4] The intra-rater reliability for the measurement was also excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC] between 0.98 - 0.99).[3][4] Furthermore, a systematic review on the reliability of the weight-bearing lunge test reported that there was strong evidence that inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.80 - 0.99), as well as intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.65 - 0,99), of the weight-bearing lunge test is good.[1] It was suggested that the weight-bearing lunge test is a reliable method of assessing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion as it provides consistent results and demonstrates reasonable responsiveness.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Powden CJ, Hoch JM, Hoch MC. Reliability and minimal detectable change of the weight-bearing lunge test: A systematic review.Man Ther. 2015 Aug;20(4):524-32 (last accessed 12 November 2018)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Konor MM, Morton S, Eckerson JM, Grindstaff TL. Reliability of three measures of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2012 Jun; 7(3): 279–287.(last accessed 12 November 2018).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dennis RJ, Finch CF, Elliott BC, Farhart PJ. The reliability of musculoskeletal screening tests used in cricket. Phys Ther Sport. 2008 Feb;9(1):25-33.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bennell KL, Talbot RC, Wajswelner H, Techovanich W, Kelly DH, Hall AJ. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of a weight-bearing lunge measure of ankle dorsiflexion.Aust J Physiother. 1998;44(3):175-180. (last accessed 12 November 2018).
- ↑ The Physio Channel. Knee to Wall Test. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbzYML05Vac (last accessed 5 March 2021)