What is the McMurray’s Test (Medial) used for?

Diagnosing tears of the Posterior Horn of the Medial Meniscus.

How do you perform the McMurray’s Test (Medial)?

Position: Patient supine. Flex the knee completely. Action: Externally rotate the tibia and apply a Valgus stress.Movement: Extend the knee while maintaining rotation/stress.

What is a positive result for the McMurray’s Test (Medial)?

Positive Test: A palpable or audible “click/thud” over the medial joint line, often with pain.

What is the diagnostic accuracy of the McMurray’s Test (Medial)?

Sensitivity: 50-65%Specificity: 77-86%

McMurray’s Test (Medial) – Knee Special Test

What is it used for?

Diagnosing tears of the Posterior Horn of the Medial Meniscus.

How to Perform

Position: Patient supine. Flex the knee completely.
Action: Externally rotate the tibia and apply a Valgus stress.
Movement: Extend the knee while maintaining rotation/stress.

Interpretation of Results

Positive Test: A palpable or audible “click/thud” over the medial joint line, often with pain.

Diagnostic Accuracy

Sensitivity: 50-65%
Specificity: 77-86%

Clinical Context & Limitations

The McMurray’s Test (Medial) should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.

Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Knee region, combining the McMurray’s Test (Medial) with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.