Which test is commonly used to identify a meniscal lesion?

• A. Thessaly Test
• B. Slocum Test
• C. McMurray's Test
• D. Steinmann Test

Answer: (C)

When a meniscal tear is suspected, you want a test that loads and shears the meniscus as the knee moves, so torn cartilage catches between the femur and tibia and produces a recognizable symptom. The classic test for this is McMurray’s test. By moving the knee through flexion and extension while rotating the tibia and applying gentle stresses, a torn meniscus will often trigger a palpable or audible click along the joint line, sometimes with pain. This mechanism specifically targets the menisci, making it the best choice for identifying a meniscal lesion.

The other tests have different primary purposes. Thessaly can indicate meniscal issues with weight-bearing twisting, but McMurray’s remains the standard historical test for this problem. Slocum is more about ligamentous laxity and instability, and Steinmann is not as commonly used for diagnosing meniscal tears.