Which assessment is used for evaluating a Meniscal tear?

The McMurray sign is specifically designed for assessing meniscal tears in the knee. During this test, the examiner flexes the knee and then rotates it while applying a varus (inward) or valgus (outward) stress to the joint. A palpable click or pain during this movement is indicative of a meniscal tear, particularly if the pain is located in the medial or lateral joint line.

This assessment is critical because meniscal injuries often present with joint line pain and symptoms such as locking or buckling of the knee, and the McMurray test directly correlates with these conditions by stressing the anatomy of the menisci.

In contrast, other assessments like the Lachman test, Posterior Drawer sign, and Anterior Drawer sign are primarily used to evaluate the stability of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), which are crucial but different from assessing a meniscal tear. The reliability of the McMurray sign in identifying meniscal injuries makes it a key component of the physical examination of the knee.