Lower Extremity Flashcards
How can you evaluate for scoliosis?
inspect from several angles and with pt bending forward
Dextroscoliosis
curve is convex (toward) R
levoscoliosis
curve is convex (toward) L
What does SLR test for?
impingement of spinal nerves/sciatic nerve
Elevate leg and dorsiflex foot- pain on ipsilateral leg is a positive test- suggests a lumbosacral radiculopathy
(tightness/discomfort in the buttocks or hamstrings is not a positive test)
Seated SLR test
pt seated with hands on table, extend leg
watch for pt to “flip back” when leg extended
Slump test*
seated, slump, tuck chin, knee extension, dorsiflex
perform bilaterally, check for sciatica/herniated disk
ask if pt has any pain with any of those movements
FAbER test
Supine “figure 4”
Flexion, Abduction, External Rotation
assesses SI joint dysfunction
assess adductors
Antalgic gait
lump adopted to avoid pain on weight bearing structures, characterized by a very short stance phase
can also be due to loss of dorsiflexion
Trendelenburg sign
see if pt can keep hips even when weight is placed on side
Positive if it causes opposite side to drop
Thomas Test*
iliopsoas
Positive if femur raises off table
Or
Rectus femoris
positive if unable to have 90 flexion of knee
Ottowa knee rules
If any are positive > x-ray
- Age > or = 55
- isolated tenderness at the patella
- tenderness at the fibular head
- unable to flex knee to 90 deg
- unable to bear weight immediately after and in ER for 4 steps
100% sensitive, 50% specific
Baker’s cyst (popliteal cyst)
a synovial fluid cyst located located in the popliteal space
palpable as fluctuant fullness, best to palpate with knee extended
may be painful or (if they leak) result in calf swelling
Popliteal artery aneurysm
usually due to atherosclerotic vascular disease
Males > females, usually >65yo
the most common aneurysm of the peripheral vascular system
How do you dx popliteal artery aneurysm?
pulsatile swelling behind the knee
best to palpate with knee extended
mechanism of injury (MOI) of meniscal tear
weight bearing with rotation
Sxs of meniscal tears
pain/swelling localized at jt line
max swelling is freq. seen the day after injury
may report popping, clicking, locking
“feels like knee is going to give out”
Treatment for meniscal tears
repair or menisectomy
MOI for patellar dislocation
knee flexed between 20 -45deg with valgus load, then max contraction of quads
will almost always go laterally
MOI for patellar fractures
significant direct blow/force, not common in athletics, extremely painful, unable to SLR
Chondromalacia patellae
degenerative process that results in a softening (degeneration) of the articular surface of the patella
MOI for chondromalacia
overuse with poor tracking (patella doesn’t slide nicely in groove)
commonly have large Q angle
Q angle
Normal <15deg
women naturally have greater Q angles (wider hips)
thus, women experience chondromalacia patella more freq. than men
Patellar tendonitis
“jumper’s knee”
MOI for patellar tendonitis
overuse w/ heay quad loads & poor quad flex
Sxs of Patellar tendonitis
pain increased w/ activity, aches after exercise, possible swelling, tenderness at inferior pole, increased pain with resisted knee extension
MCL sprain
most freq. injured ligament in the knee
MOI for MCL sprain
blow to lateral side of the knee, forcing valgus
Sxs of MCL sprain
pain, mild to mod swelling exterior to jt, discoloration and tenderness, valgus instability, may report feeling a “pop”
LCL sprain MOI
foot planted, medial side impact/varus force