AANP Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Resource to Ensure Exam Success!

A positive McMurray's test is specifically indicative of an injury to the meniscus, and in particular, it is most commonly associated with tears of the medial meniscus. During the test, the healthcare provider performs a manipulation of the knee joint while flexing and extending the knee, applying rotational force. If there is a tear in the medial meniscus, the patient will often experience a palpable or audible click or a feeling of locking in the knee, along with pain upon the movements.

This test is used primarily because the anatomy of the knee places different stresses on the medial versus the lateral meniscus during movement. While a positive McMurray's test could theoretically suggest issues with other structures, the test is specifically designed to assess for meniscal injuries, focusing on the medial aspect of the knee. Thus, a positive result clearly points towards medial meniscus damage rather than other conditions like patellar dislocation or ligamentous instability.