



Nxt Gen PT Evidence: Currently, the clinical tests we use to detect early meniscal lesions have variable diagnostic accuracy. A few years ago, the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery published a study which examined the diagnostic accuracy of a new, functional meniscal test, The Thessaly’s test.

Clinical Implications: The results of this study indicated that the Thessaly’s test, performed in 20 degrees of knee flexion, had a diagnostic accuracy of 94% in detection of medial meniscal tears and 96% in detection of lateral meniscal tears. Other, more traditional tests, performed in this study, had much lower detection rates.

Better Your Practice: Know how to perform the test. The patient stands on a single leg (the effected leg) with their knee bent to 20 degrees. The examiner helps support them with UE support. The patient then rotates his/her knee internally and externally. Complaints of pain, knee locking or catching is considered a + test. Karachalios T, Hantes M, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of a new clinic test (the Thessalay test) for early detection of meniscal test. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2005; 87: 955-962. Research review brought to you by Nxt Gen PT











Interested in live cases where I apply this approach and integrate it with pain science, manual therapy, repeated motions, IASTM, with emphasis on patient education? Check out Modern Manual Therapy!

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