Knee
Meniscus
Evidence: confirmed
Thessaly Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Dynamic reproduction of meniscal loading (considered more accurate than McMurray's).
How to Perform
- Position: Patient stands on the affected leg (flat foot). Examiner holds hands for balance.
- Action: Patient flexes knee to 20°.
- Movement: Patient rotates their body/femur internally and externally 3 times.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: Medial or lateral joint line discomfort, or a sense of locking/catching.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Sensitivity: 89%
- Specificity: 97%
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Thessaly Test 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 Thessaly Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment.
