Which test is used to evaluate the menisci and involves weight-bearing with knee flexion and rotation to detect a tear?

• A. Thessaly Test
• B. McMurray Test
• C. Apley Compression Test
• D. Bounce Home Test

Answer: (A)

Testing for meniscal tears often uses dynamic weight-bearing maneuvers to provoke the torn edge under load. The Thessaly test does exactly that: you stand on one leg with the knee only slightly flexed, then rotate the body to twist the knee while the leg bears your weight. If a meniscal tear is present, this weight-bearing twist commonly reproduces joint-line pain, a catching, or a grinding sensation. Performing the test at two angles of flexion—about 5 degrees and about 20 degrees—improves sensitivity and specificity, since tears can be more noticeable at different degrees of bend. This approach mimics real knee loading during movement, which is why it’s particularly useful for detecting meniscal pathology.

Other tests in this set are performed passively and don’t involve weight-bearing. The McMurray test uses knee bending with rotation and stressing the knee passively to elicit a click or pain. The Apley compression test is done prone with downward compression and rotation to stress the menisci. The bounce home test assesses whether the knee can fully extend and “bounce back” from a flexed position. While they can indicate meniscal issues, they don’t specifically rely on weight-bearing with flexion and rotation like the Thessaly test does.