Which test is used to assess meniscal integrity under functional load?

Which test is used to assess meniscal integrity under functional load?

• A. Apley compression test.
• B. Anterior drawer ankle test.
• C. Thessaly test.
• D. Talar tilt test.

Answer: (C)

The test that best assesses meniscal integrity under functional load uses a weight-bearing, dynamic approach to stress the meniscus during movement. The Thessaly test does exactly this: the patient stands on one leg with the knee slightly flexed, then twists the tibia medially and laterally to load the knee while weight is borne by the leg. Performing this at different knee angles (about 5 and 20 degrees of flexion) can reproduce pain, locking, or clicking if a meniscal tear is present. Because it mimics how the knee functions during daily activities, it’s more sensitive for detecting meniscal pathology under real loading conditions. In contrast, the Apley compression test is done with the patient lying face down, where the examiner compresses the knee and rotates the tibia to stress the meniscus non-weight-bearing. It can indicate meniscal issues but doesn’t reflect functional, weight-bearing loading as well. The other two tests target ligaments in the ankle, not the menisci, so they don’t assess meniscal integrity.

The test that best assesses meniscal integrity under functional load uses a weight-bearing, dynamic approach to stress the meniscus during movement. The Thessaly test does exactly this: the patient stands on one leg with the knee slightly flexed, then twists the tibia medially and laterally to load the knee while weight is borne by the leg. Performing this at different knee angles (about 5 and 20 degrees of flexion) can reproduce pain, locking, or clicking if a meniscal tear is present. Because it mimics how the knee functions during daily activities, it’s more sensitive for detecting meniscal pathology under real loading conditions.

In contrast, the Apley compression test is done with the patient lying face down, where the examiner compresses the knee and rotates the tibia to stress the meniscus non-weight-bearing. It can indicate meniscal issues but doesn’t reflect functional, weight-bearing loading as well. The other two tests target ligaments in the ankle, not the menisci, so they don’t assess meniscal integrity.