A positive McMurray test with external rotation of the tibia indicates pathology in which meniscus?

A positive McMurray test with external rotation of the tibia indicates pathology in which meniscus?

• A. Lateral
• B. Medial
• C. Both
• D. None of the above

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how the McMurray test localizes tears to a specific meniscus by the direction of tibial rotation during knee extension. To stress the medial meniscus, the tibia is externally rotated as the knee is extended. This causes the medial meniscus to be pressed between the femoral condyle and the tibial plateau; if a tear is present, you’ll get a painful click or snap along the medial joint line. A positive result in this maneuver therefore points to pathology of the medial meniscus. Internal rotation would instead stress the lateral meniscus.

The key idea here is how the McMurray test localizes tears to a specific meniscus by the direction of tibial rotation during knee extension. To stress the medial meniscus, the tibia is externally rotated as the knee is extended. This causes the medial meniscus to be pressed between the femoral condyle and the tibial plateau; if a tear is present, you’ll get a painful click or snap along the medial joint line. A positive result in this maneuver therefore points to pathology of the medial meniscus. Internal rotation would instead stress the lateral meniscus.