The Lachman maneuver is primarily used to assess what condition?

The Lachman maneuver is a clinical test specifically designed to assess the stability of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. During this maneuver, the examiner stabilizes the thigh with one hand while pulling the tibia forward with the other hand. A positive test, indicated by excessive forward movement of the tibia relative to the femur, suggests an ACL injury or tear, which is a common cause of knee instability.

While other options address issues related to the knee, they do not align closely with the primary focus of the Lachman maneuver. Assessing nerve damage, the integrity of the patellar tendon, or meniscal tears involves different physical examination techniques and clinical assessments. Therefore, the Lachman maneuver is most accurately associated with identifying knee instability due to ACL compromise.