January’s 5 minute Assessment assistant
Meniscal tears
In a Systematic review Hegedus et al examined pooled sensitivity and specificity for various meniscal tear tests. They found that no particular measure was especially sensitive or specific for diagnosing Meniscal tear. A battery of the three following tests is recommended despite various studies quoting sensitivity/specificity results that vary greatly from other studies.
- McMurray’s test (sensitivity, 70%; specificity, 71%),
- Apley’s test (sensitivity, 60%; specificity, 70%), and
- Joint line tenderness test (sensitivity, 63%; specificity, 77%).
How to: McMurray’s
With the patient in Supine, grasp the patient’s heel and flex the knee to end range with one hand, while using the other hand to hold the distal femur. Strictly speaking, to test the medial meniscus, the examiner places the knee into external rotation and adduction looking for pain and/or click. From this position, while maintaining external rotation and adduction re-extend the knee.
How to: Apley’s test
Patient laying prone, flex the knee to 90 degrees, whilst stabilising the thigh with your knee push down the lower leg compressing the knee joint whilst externally rotating the knee. Looking for pain.
Hope this helps! Please feel free to give me a call any time!
Michael Rafla
Australian Sports Physiotherapy
0431271714
1300651256
[email protected]
