Which statement describes the Apley compression test protocol?

Which statement describes the Apley compression test protocol?

• A. In supine with knee extended, downward compression and tibial rotation are applied.
• B. In prone with knee flexed to 90 degrees, downward compression and tibial rotation are applied.
• C. In prone with knee flexed to 90 degrees, only rotation is applied.
• D. In standing with knee flexed to 60 degrees, compression is applied along the leg.

Answer: (B)

The procedure is designed to stress the menisci by compressing the knee joint while the tibia is rotated. You position the patient prone with the knee bent about 90 degrees, then apply a downward force through the heel to press the tibiofemoral joint together, and rotate the tibia internally and externally. This combination specifically loads the menisci between the femoral condyles, so if pain or a grinding sensation is reproduced during the rotation while the joint is compressed, it suggests a meniscal tear. The other described setups don’t isolate this meniscal stress: moving the patient to a supine position or using only rotation (or a standing compression) changes which structures are stressed and is not the standard Apley compression protocol.

The procedure is designed to stress the menisci by compressing the knee joint while the tibia is rotated. You position the patient prone with the knee bent about 90 degrees, then apply a downward force through the heel to press the tibiofemoral joint together, and rotate the tibia internally and externally. This combination specifically loads the menisci between the femoral condyles, so if pain or a grinding sensation is reproduced during the rotation while the joint is compressed, it suggests a meniscal tear. The other described setups don’t isolate this meniscal stress: moving the patient to a supine position or using only rotation (or a standing compression) changes which structures are stressed and is not the standard Apley compression protocol.