The figure of four meniscal stress maneouver (Adapted with permission from: Rossi R, Bruzzone M, Dettoni F, Margheritini F: Clinical examination of the knee.)
In the figure of four meniscal stress manoeuvre, the knee is held in a "figure of 4" (Cabot's) position, then the knee swings rapidly from a varus to a valgus stress, while a finger is pushed in the joint line. This brings the meniscus toward the periphery of the joint while the finger pushes it toward the centre of the joint: the combination of these two opposite forces stresses the meniscus, raising a sharp pain in case of meniscal tear.
Source: Rossi et al. Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation, Therapy & Technology 2011 3:25 doi:10.1186/1758-2555-3-25