American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

The Thessaly maneuver primarily tests for what condition?

1. Lateral collateral ligament injury

2. Meniscal integrity

3. Patellar instability

4. Quadriceps strain

The correct answer is: Meniscal integrity

The Thessaly maneuver is specifically designed to evaluate the integrity of the meniscus in the knee. This test involves the patient standing on one leg while twisting their body, which places stress on the meniscus. If a patient experiences pain or a catching sensation during this maneuver, it suggests a meniscal tear or injury. The meniscus acts as a shock absorber and stabilizer within the knee joint, and any damage can lead to significant functional impairment and discomfort. In this context, the other options pertain to different knee injuries or conditions. For instance, an injury to the lateral collateral ligament involves a different mechanism of trauma and is assessed through other physical examination tests. Patellar instability primarily concerns the tracking of the patella during joint movement, which is not evaluated using the Thessaly maneuver. Lastly, a quadriceps strain relates to muscle injury rather than joint integrity, and its evaluation would involve strength and range-of-motion testing rather than a maneuver focused on joint structures like the meniscus. Thus, the Thessaly maneuver is a targeted test that confirms its primary role in diagnosing meniscal integrity.