Physical Exam

Thessaly Test

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Have the patient stand flat-footed on the affected leg (holding your hands for balance) with the knee flexed to about 20°. Ask the patient to rotate the body and knee internally and externally three times while keeping the foot planted. A positive test is medial or lateral joint-line discomfort, or a sense of locking or catching.

How to Interpret

Meniscal Tear

Positive Thessaly test

Rule in

Helpful

Rule out

Somewhat helpful

Evidence:Strong

References

Smith BE, Thacker D, Crewesmith A, Hall M. Special tests for assessing meniscal tears within the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Medicine. 2015;20(3):88-97. (Also published in British Journal of Sports Medicine.) QUADAS-2 risk-of-bias assessment. PMID: 25724195. doi:10.1136/ebmed-2014-110160.
Karachalios T, Hantes M, Zibis AH, Zachos V, Karantanas AH, Malizos KN. Diagnostic accuracy of a new clinical test (the Thessaly test) for early detection of meniscal tears. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(5):955-962.