Wilson's Test

Definition/Description[edit | edit source]

The Wilson’s Test is a test used to detect the presence of Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee. [1]

Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]

[2]

Technique[edit | edit source]

The test has to be performed as follows:[1]
- Ask the patient to sit on a table with his legs dangling over the edge.
- Bend the patient’s knee so that it is flexed at a 90° angle.
- Grasp the patient’s foot and bring the tibia in internally rotation.
- Instruct the patient to extend his leg until he/she feels pain.


The test is positive when the patient reports pain in the knee about 30° from full extension and when by rotating the foot back (externally rotation of the tibia) in it’s normal position the pain disappears.[1][3]

[4]

Key Research[edit | edit source]

So far no studies have been done about the validity and the reliability of this test.

Clinical Bottom Line[edit | edit source]

Make sure the patient gradually extends his leg during the test, instead of thrusting it out quickly.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Conrad, J. M., & Stanitski, C. L. (2003). Osteochondritis dissecans: Wilson’s sign revisited. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 31(5), 777–778. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465030310052301
  2. 3D Knee Joint
  3. Wilson, J. N. (1967). A diagnostic sign in osteochondritis DISSECANS OF THE KNEE. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, 49(3), 477–480. https://doi.org/10.2106/00004623-196749030-00006
  4. Wilson test