Which abnormal end-feel is a rebound at the end point commonly seen with a meniscal tear?

• A. Rebound at end point
• B. Movement beyond abnormal limit
• C. Involuntary contraction
• D. Extreme hypermobility

Answer: (A)

End-feel testing in the knee helps reveal intra-articular pathology. A rebound end-feel is felt as a brief, sudden stop with a tiny bounce at the end of the available range. In a meniscal tear, a torn flap or fragment can become interposed between the femur and tibia as movement reaches the end of ROM. That piece momentarily blocks further motion, and as the joint moves slightly beyond that point, it snaps back into place, producing the distinctive rebound felt at the end. This pattern is characteristic of meniscal injury because it reflects a mechanical obstruction within the joint. Other abnormal end-feels point to different issues—like guarding from pain, or generalized laxity—but they do not describe the specific rebound phenomenon seen with a torn meniscus.