Which maneuver is most commonly used to assess meniscal pathology by reproducing a click or pain with knee rotation?

• A. Lachman test
• B. Apley compression test
• C. McMurray test
• D. Bulge sign

Answer: (C)

The maneuver tested is designed to provoke a meniscal tear by moving the knee through flexion, rotation, and extension so a torn meniscal fragment may catch between the femur and tibia, producing a palpable or audible click and pain. This classic provocative test is the one performed with the patient supine, knee flexed, and the tibia rotated while the knee is extended to reproduce that click along the joint line if a meniscal tear is present. The click or pain arises from the torn meniscus catching during the moving articulation.

In contrast, other tests target different structures or findings: the Lachman test assesses anterior cruciate ligament laxity; the Apley compression test can indicate meniscal damage but is less specific for a reproducible click with rotation; the bulge sign checks for knee effusion rather than meniscal pathology.