MODEL RELEASED. Apley's knee test. Physiotherapist performing an Apley's knee test to assess a patient's knee injury. This test is carried out to diagnose knee cartilage injuries and knee ligament injuries. The knee is bent to 90 degrees flexion with the patient lying face down. The examiner then holds the foot and rotates the lower leg while either pressing down or pulling up. Pressing down will help diagnose a tear of the cartilage inside the knee (a meniscus injury), while pulling up (as here) will help diagnose an injury of the medial or lateral collateral ligaments (either side of the knee).