American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What examination tests are indicative of acute meniscal injuries?

1. McMurray and Lachman tests

2. Thessaly and medial-lateral grind tests

3. Anterior drawer and pivot shift tests

4. Straight leg raise and Faber tests

The correct answer is: Thessaly and medial-lateral grind tests

The Thessaly and medial-lateral grind tests are specifically designed to assess the integrity of the meniscus in the knee. The Thessaly test involves the patient standing on one leg while twisting the knee, which places stress on the meniscus and can elicit pain or a sense of catching in the joint, indicative of meniscal injury. The medial-lateral grind test, also known as the joint line tenderness test, involves palpating along the joint line while the knee is flexed to see if pain occurs, further suggesting a meniscal issue. Both tests have been shown in clinical practice to effectively pinpoint meniscal tears as they specifically provoke symptoms that patients with such injuries commonly experience. In contrast, the other tests listed typically assess different structures or functions within the knee, such as the anterior cruciate ligament integrity or other non-meniscal concerns.