Knee / joint special tests Flashcards
1
Q
What do you look for on general inspection?
knee
A
Walking aids
2
Q
What do you look for on closer inspection of the knee?
A
Swelling / redness / inflammation (trauma, arthritis, popliteal bursitis)
Muscle wasting (esp of quads)
Scars
3
Q
What do you do on palpation of the knee?
A
Temperature (septic arthritis)
Palpate joint line and patella (tenderness)
Feel behind knee for Baker’s cyst
Patellar tap / sweep test
4
Q
What do you do on movement of the knee?
A
- Establish range of movement for flexion and extension (active)
- Assess passive movement while feeling for crepitus (compare sides)
- Anterior / posterior drawer test (anterior / posterior cruciate ligaments)
- Assess medial / lateral collateral ligament stability
- McMurray’s / Lachman’s tests if worried about cruciate ligament tears
5
Q
How do you assess function of the knee?
A
- Ask patient to stand
- Look for varus / valgus deformity, Baker’s cyst
- Assess gait (speed, limp)
6
Q
What are the special tests for shoulder?
A
- Empty can test (function of supraspinatus)
- The painful arc (impingement of supraspinatus)
- External rotation against resistance (infraspinatus and teres minor)
- Internal rotation against resistance (Gerber’s, subscapularis)
- Scarf test (acromioclavicular joint)
7
Q
What are the special tests for hip?
A
- Thomas’s test (?fixed flexion deformity)
2. Trendelenburg’s test (hip abductor weakness)
8
Q
What are the special tests for hand / wrist?
A
- Assess grip
- Pick up small object
- Pincer grip
- Tinel’s test (tap wrist)
- Phalen’s test (upside down prayer, 60 secs)
9
Q
What are the special tests for elbow?
A
- Medial epicondylitis / golfer’s elbow (wrist flexion against resistance)
- Lateral epicondylitis / tennis elbow (wrist extension against resistance)
10
Q
What are the special tests for ankle / foot?
A
- Squeeze calf –> absent plantar flexion suggest achilles tendon rupture
