MCMURRAY

TEST

​• Test positioning

The client lies supine.

The therapist stands with the distal hand grasping the client's heel or distal leg (medially), and the proximal hand on the client's knee with the fingers palpating the medial and lateral joint lines.

​• Action

With the knee fully flexed, externally rotate the tibia, introduce a valgus force, and extend the knee (medial meniscus).

Repeat with the tibia internally rotated and a varus force applied to the knee (lateral meniscus).

​• Positive finding

A "click' along the medial joint line is indicative of a medial meniscus tear.

Likewise, a "click' along the lateral joint line is indicative of a lateral meniscus tear.

​• Special considerations & comments

The therapist must not mistake a patellar "click" or "pop" for meniscal pathology.

It may be difficult to accurately perform this test if there is a flap tear of the meniscus or excessive joint swelling that is limiting range of motion.

The therapist should also be sensitive with palpation along the joint line, as this can cause significant pain to the client (especially if a meniscal tear is accompanied by a collateral ligament injury).

The McMurray Test, named after Dr. Thomas McMurray, was developed for diagnosing meniscal tears in the knee.

Contributions from Dr. James Cyriax’s work on joint dysfunctions have also helped standardize this test in orthopedic evaluations.