What does clicking or joint line pain during McMurray's test suggest?

What does clicking or joint line pain during McMurray's test suggest?

• A. Ligament sprain.
• B. Meniscal pathology.
• C. Swelling indicates ACL tear.
• D. No pain indicates normal meniscus.

Answer: (B)

A positive finding on McMurray's test—clicking or pain along the joint line during the maneuver—points to a meniscal problem. The test moves the knee through flexion and rotation while extending, which can trap torn meniscal tissue between the femur and tibia. When a tear is present, this movement often produces a mechanical sign such as a click or localized pain at the joint line, indicating meniscal pathology. Other signs aren’t as specific: ligament sprains are usually assessed with laxity tests and history, swelling alone doesn’t diagnose an ACL tear, and absence of pain doesn’t reliably rule out a meniscal tear.

A positive finding on McMurray's test—clicking or pain along the joint line during the maneuver—points to a meniscal problem. The test moves the knee through flexion and rotation while extending, which can trap torn meniscal tissue between the femur and tibia. When a tear is present, this movement often produces a mechanical sign such as a click or localized pain at the joint line, indicating meniscal pathology. Other signs aren’t as specific: ligament sprains are usually assessed with laxity tests and history, swelling alone doesn’t diagnose an ACL tear, and absence of pain doesn’t reliably rule out a meniscal tear.