apley's compression test, apley's test, compression, knee, knee pain, meniscal lesion, meniscal tear, meniscus, ortho, special test

Purpose

This test is used to identify a meniscal tear.

Technique

Patient is positioned in prone with the leg being tested in 90° of knee flexion.

Clinician wraps his hands around the malleoli, puts his shoulder over the heel of the calcaneus, and applies compression while internally and externally rotating the lower leg.

Positive

Pain or reproduction of symptoms.

Interpretation

A positive test indicates a possible meniscal tear.

To confirm a meniscal tear, apply distraction to the tibia with the leg in the testing position.

A meniscal tear is confirmed if distraction relieves pain or symptoms.

If distraction does not relieve the symptoms or makes the symptoms worse, there is another problem with the knee.

References

1. Dutton, M. (2008). Orthopaedic: Examination, evaluation, and intervention (2nd ed.). New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Related videos:

1. Meniscal Quadrant Test
2. McMurray’s Test
3. Lachman’s Test
4. Anterior Drawer Test
5. Posterior Drawer Test