What special test can indicate a meniscus tear in the knee?

• A. Anterior drawer test
• B. McMurray's test
• C. Flexion-rotation test
• D. Patellar grind test

Answer: (B)

McMurray's test is specifically designed to assess the integrity of the meniscus in the knee. During this test, the clinician flexes the knee and then applies a rotational force while extending it. This maneuver attempts to reproduce symptoms associated with a meniscus tear, such as clicking or pain, which suggests a tear in the medial or lateral meniscus depending on the direction of rotation.

In contrast, the anterior drawer test primarily evaluates the stability of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) by assessing the amount of forward translation of the tibia relative to the femur. The flexion-rotation test focuses on the hip joint rather than the knee and is more related to assessing labral tears. The patellar grind test is utilized to check for patellofemoral joint issues, specifically related to patellar tracking and chondromalacia, rather than meniscal injuries. Thus, McMurray's test is particularly aimed at identifying meniscus tears through a detailed evaluation of knee function during movement that mimics activities which typically stress the meniscus.