Abstract
Aim: To evaluate and assess the validity and accuracy of various described ways of performing the McMurray’s test in the diagnosis of meniscal tears.
Material & Methods: Prospective study with patients divided into seven groups based on seven described ways of performing McMurray’s test. Twenty-five patients in each group, aged between 15 to 60 years-undergoing arthroscopy of knee for clinically suspected meniscal tear. Exclusion criteria were ACL tear on arthroscopy, radiological or arthroscopic evidence of osteoarthritis and patients within six weeks of injury.
All patients were assessed preoperatively with knee examined in one of seen different methods. EUA followed by arthroscopy. Clinical and arthroscopic findings were correlated and sensitivity and specificity were determined.
The study is ongoing with following results.
Conclusion: Accuracy of McMurrays test ranged between 0 to 95% in various studies. Factors determining outcome include patient selection difference in applying test and interpretation of results. McMur-rays original description included no varus or valgus stress and a click a was positive test. Other descriptions include varus or valgus stress and apart from click pain is also considered a positive test. Comparisons among results in literature are difficult with confusing results. Our study is incomplete but trends suggest Reider’s method may be the most accurate.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Tim Wilton, BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
