Thessaly test

What is the "Thessaly test" used for?

• Thessaly test is used to detect lateral or medial meniscal tears of the knee.

How to perform the "Thessaly test"?

• The patient stands flat footed on one leg while the examiner supports the patient by holding their outstretched hands.
• The patient then flexes the knee to 5° and rotates the femur on the tibia medially and laterally three times, while maintaining the 5° flexion.
• The test is then repeated at 20° flexion.

What is the positive result?

• The test is considered positive for a meniscus tear if the patient experiences medial or lateral joint line discomfort or a sense of locking/ catching in the knee.

Test Accuracy

• Sensitivity: 64-66 %
• Specificity: 39-53 %

References

• Grover, Michael L. “Evaluating acutely injured patients for internal derangement of the knee.” American family physician 85 3 (2012): 247-52 . Link
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