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What's the "Ege's test" and how is it used?

Ege's test for meniscal tears in the knee were first described by Ridvan Ege, M.D. in 1968. It's the first clinical test that mimics the actual mechanism of injury. Most meniscal tears occur in the standing position. The foot is planted on the ground and the upper leg twists over the knee, tearing the cartilage.

Two standard tests for a torn meniscus are McMurray's test and joint line tenderness (JLT). McMurray's test is done with the patient lying down. The knee is flexed fully. The examiner uses the foot to twist the lower leg inward while straightening the knee. If the meniscus is loose this action causes a snap or click. The patient may also have pain with this test.

This test relies on the experience of the examiner. Force applied through the foot must be enough to catch the torn fragment of cartilage between the leg bones. The standing McMurray's test, also known as Ege's test, may be more sensitive. The patient is standing and applies enough force in weight-bearing to show a positive result when the meniscus is torn.

The test is done by placing the feet eight to 10 inches apart with the feet turned out. The patient squats down as far as possible while keeping the feet flat on the floor. This position tests the medial meniscus. Pain or a click are felt when the knee is bent about 90 degrees. The test can be repeated with the feet turned in for the lateral meniscus.

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