KNEE LAXITY IN CARPET AND FLOOR LAYERS AND PAINTERS

The knees of 154 carpet and floor layers and 131 painters were examine d clinically and the anteroposterior displacement of the knees was mea sured with a computer-based arthrometer. The drawer test, the pivot sh ift and the thigh muscle stretching tests showed greater mobility amon g carpet and floor layers than among painters. The arthrometric examin ation showed equal anteroposterior tibiofemoral displacements in the t wo groups. Two percent of the subjects had a right knee/left knee diff erence indicating a cruciate ligament insufficiency. Tightness in the rectus femoris stretching test, and among carpet and floor layers also radiographic tibiofemoral osteophytosis predicted small arthrometric changes.