The McMurray test, also known as the McMurray circumduction test, is an examination used to diagnose knee meniscus tears. When a tear occurs, a pedunculated tag of the meniscus becomes jammed between the two surfaces of the knee. The McMurray test evaluates how much motion can be exerted during this movement. The test can also be used to evaluate whether the knee is stable or unstable.
Thomas Porter McMurray
Thomas Porter McMurray was a British orthopaedic surgeon who is best known for the McMurray test. This test is used to identify bone fragments in a patient’s lumbar spine. It is still used today and is a critical part of the evaluation process for orthopaedic patients. However, it is not widely known how it works. It is important to remember the history behind the McMurray test.
During his career, McMurray held a number of key positions at the Liverpool Medical Institute and the BMA. He became a professor of orthopaedic surgery at Liverpool in 1938. McMurray also served as president of the BMA and the Liverpool Medical Institute. His life and work led to the establishment of the M.Ch. (Orth), which he received in 1926. Until his death in 1949, he taught around the world.
Variations of the McMurray test
There are several variations of the McMurray test. The original test was published by McMurray in the early 20th century. In a revised version, McMurray added an abduction/adduction force to the knee. This modification replicated the mechanism of injury more closely. Many authors describe the original test as a 1934 modification, while citing the modified version of the McMurray test published in 1942.
The LR+ value of the McMurray test is 9.2 in one study. This means that a test with a positive result will be nine times more likely to diagnose meniscal pathology. However, the LR+ is not the only measure of accuracy. The sensitivity and specificity of the McMurray test are related to the level of agreement with the gold standard. Thus, the results of this test are useful when determining the diagnosis of meniscal pathology.
Accuracy of the test
A meta-analysis of the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the McMurray test has found mixed results. The tests have been shown to be inaccurate and insensitive, but modified McMurray tests have been found to improve the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity. A modified McMurray test is more clinically useful, but it is not yet clear which one is the best. There are several factors that should be considered before using the test.
The test is not always accurate, and it may not be sensitive enough to detect tears in a meniscus. However, in a retrospective case series, the LR+ of the McMurray test was 9.2, meaning that a positive test result would be 9.2 times more likely in a patient with a meniscal tear. It is important to consider this in the context of accuracy and reliability.
False-positive rate of the test
The McMurray test’s false-positive rate is relatively high. The test is difficult to administer and has a low intertester reliability. The test has limitations, including an inability to control the direction and amount of forces used by testers. Although some studies have indicated that more experienced testers may produce a more accurate diagnosis, current statistical evidence shows that this is not true.
There are two main sources for this problem. The first article reports that there are varying estimates of McMurray’s false-positive rate. There are several versions of the McMurray test. These are known as modified tests. Some studies have shown that the modified test improves diagnostic accuracy. A few studies have also compared the McMurray test with modified versions. The results were inconsistent.
Significance of a positive test result
A positive McMurray test result is not necessarily indicative of meniscal damage. In fact, only about 4% of people with a positive McMurray test will have a meniscal tear. Moreover, a negative test result has no more information than a positive one. If you are wondering whether a McMurray test result is significant, it’s important to know the limitations of this test.
This test is performed by slowly extending the knee with the lower leg in external rotation. The medial meniscus is the part of the knee that catches the lateral part of the femur. In a healthy child, a positive McMurray test result means that the meniscus has not been injured. The test results are useful in identifying meniscal tears in a patient with knee pain.
