Abnormal ankle physiology Positive anterior drawer test 2025-10-05T16:01:13Z A positive anterior drawer test indicates possible damage or tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). Anterior drawer test positive A test for ankle instability in which an anterior pull on the calcaneus with is applied with one hand while stabilizing the end of the tibia/fibula with the other hand. The test is considered positive (abnormal) if it results in more than one cm of anterior translation of the foot compared to the healthy, contralateral ankle.