Which test is used to assess meniscal pathology in the knee?

• A. Thessaly test
• B. Lachman test
• C. McMurray test
• D. Apley compression test

Answer: (C)

The key idea is a maneuver that directly loads and traps the torn meniscal edge during knee movement, so the tear can be reproduced and a clue like a click or joint-line pain appears. The McMurray test does exactly this: the knee is moved through flexion and extension while the tibia is rotated and a valgus or varus stress is applied. This combination stresses the meniscus against the femur, so if a meniscal tear is present you’ll often feel a click along the joint line or reproduce the pain. Testing the medial meniscus involves externally rotating the tibia and extending the knee with a valgus force, while testing the lateral meniscus uses internal rotation with a varus force.

This is why it’s the classic choice for meniscal pathology—it directly targets the meniscal tissue with a simple, compass-like movement that tends to produce the characteristic sign when a tear exists. By contrast, the Lachman test checks ACL integrity, and while the Apley compression and Thessaly tests can also assess meniscal problems, McMurray remains the most traditional and widely taught exam maneuver for identifying meniscal tears.