McMurrays Test
Purpose
[edit | edit source]
McMurray's test is used to determine the presence of a meniscal tear within the knee.
Technique
[edit | edit source]
With the patient supine the examiner holds the knee and palpates the joint line with one hand, thumb on one side and fingers on the other, whilst the other hand holds the sole of the foot and acts to support the limb and provide the required movement through range. The examiner then applies a valgus stress to the knee whilst the other hand rotates the leg externally and extends the knee. Pain and/or an audible click while preforming this maneuver can indicate a torn medial meniscus. To examine the lateral meniscus the examiner repeats this process from full flexion but applies a varus stress to the knee and medial rotation to the tibia prior to extending the knee once again.
| [1] |
BJSM Videos[2] |
Evidence[edit | edit source]
Previous studies have compared the clinical test with arthroscopic and/or arthrotomy findings and found it to be very specific but not very sensitive[3]. The test has therefore been reported to be of limited value in current clinical practice. However if positive findings are grouped with positive findings from other tests for meniscal lesions the test may be more valid. Reiders method may be the most accurate[4]
References
[edit | edit source]
- ↑ online video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwBW-X4n1fU, last accessed 1/9/8
- ↑ BJSM Videos, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkt1TOn1UfI, last accessed 1/9/08
- ↑ J.R.Corea, M. Moussa and A.Al Othman (1994). McMurray's test tested. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy,2(2), 70-72
- ↑ H Nalwad; M Agarwal; B N Muddu; M Smith; and Mr. J K Borill (2006). McMurrays test revisited: Evaluation of various methods of performing McMurrays test, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 90-B, Issue SUPP_II, 320.
