Clinical diagnosis of meniscal tears
- 1 July 1986
- journal article
- other
- Published by SAGE Publications in The American Journal of Sports Medicine
- Vol. 14 (4) , 291-293
- https://doi.org/10.1177/036354658601400408
Abstract
The accuracy in clinical diagnosis of meniscal tears was assessed in 100 knees. Arthroscopy was performed in each case to establish the diagnosis. The clinical diag nosis was correct in 87 cases, correct but incomplete in 4, and incorrect in 9. In those with mensical tears repeated popping occurred in 43%, swelling in 51%, and pain localized to the joint line in 63%. Tenderness over the joint line, the most accurate clinical sign, was positive in 77% and false positive in 11 % of meniscal tears. McMurray's test was positive in 58% and false positive in 5%, while the medial-lateral grind test was positive in 68% and false positive in 1 %. At least one of these manipulative tests was positive in 79% of meniscal tears. Repeated examination and addition of the medial-lateral grind test to the clinical evaluation of meniscal tears significantly improves diagnostic accu racy.Keywords
This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit:
- Clinical assessment of suspected meniscal tearsIrish Journal of Medical Science, 1983
- Meniscectomies in childrenThe American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1980
- In defence of the meniscus. A prospective study of 200 meniscectomy patientsThe Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British volume, 1980
- Diagnosis of internal derangements of the knee. The role of arthroscopyJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1975
- The semilunar cartilagesBritish Journal of Surgery, 1942