During McMurray's Test, which movement indicates pain in the medial meniscus?

In the context of McMurray's test, pain that occurs during lateral rotation of the tibia while the knee is being fully extended suggests a problem with the medial meniscus. The test is designed to assess potential meniscal injuries, and when the clinician performs the maneuver, they are essentially stressing the meniscus in a position where it is most likely to be impinged.

When lateral rotation of the tibia is combined with knee extension, it puts a torsional load on the medial meniscus because of its anatomy and relationship with surrounding structures. Specifically, this position can lead to compression, creating pain if the medial meniscus is injured or has a tear.

In contrast, medial rotation of the tibia along with the knee extension would typically assess the lateral meniscus rather than the medial one. Therefore, lateral tibial rotation's association with pain during knee extension is critical for diagnosing a medial meniscal tear, highlighting the importance of understanding these specific mechanics in physical assessment.