In the Apley compression test, which of the following is not part of the protocol?

In the Apley compression test, which of the following is not part of the protocol?

• A. Prone positioning.
• B. Knee flexed to 90 degrees.
• C. Downward compression.
• D. Distraction is used.

Answer: (D)

In the Apley compression test, the knee is placed in a prone position with about 90 degrees of flexion, then downward pressure is applied through the heel while the tibia is rotated. This setup stresses the menisci, so if a meniscal tear is present, pain or reproduceable symptoms appear during the compression and rotation. Distraction—pulling the tibia away from the femur—is not part of this compression maneuver; it is used in a separate Apley distraction test to help distinguish ligamentous injuries from meniscal problems. So saying that distraction is used is not accurate for the compression test.

In the Apley compression test, the knee is placed in a prone position with about 90 degrees of flexion, then downward pressure is applied through the heel while the tibia is rotated. This setup stresses the menisci, so if a meniscal tear is present, pain or reproduceable symptoms appear during the compression and rotation. Distraction—pulling the tibia away from the femur—is not part of this compression maneuver; it is used in a separate Apley distraction test to help distinguish ligamentous injuries from meniscal problems. So saying that distraction is used is not accurate for the compression test.