A positive Apley compression test most commonly indicates which condition?

A positive Apley compression test most commonly indicates which condition?

• A. Meniscal tears
• B. ACL tear
• C. Patellar tendon rupture
• D. PCL injury

Answer: (A)

The Apley compression test is designed to stress the knee’s menisci by compressing the tibia against the femur while the tibia is rotated. If a meniscal tear is present, the torn edge is pinched between the bones during rotation, causing pain, crepitus, or a click. This produces a positive result that most strongly points to a meniscal injury as the cause of symptoms. Other injuries involve different tests and patterns: an ACL tear is typically evaluated with laxity on Lachman or anterior drawer tests; a patellar tendon rupture leads to inability to extend the knee and a high-riding patella; a PCL injury shows posterior sag or positive posterior drawer.

The Apley compression test is designed to stress the knee’s menisci by compressing the tibia against the femur while the tibia is rotated. If a meniscal tear is present, the torn edge is pinched between the bones during rotation, causing pain, crepitus, or a click. This produces a positive result that most strongly points to a meniscal injury as the cause of symptoms.

Other injuries involve different tests and patterns: an ACL tear is typically evaluated with laxity on Lachman or anterior drawer tests; a patellar tendon rupture leads to inability to extend the knee and a high-riding patella; a PCL injury shows posterior sag or positive posterior drawer.