msk Flashcards
What is the exposure for MSK examination?
Knee joint, quadriceps, calf muscles must be exposed
What must be looked for in an MSK exam (during inspection) and what does this show?
Scars - previous surgery or trauma to the joint
Wasting of muscle due to disuse of muscle - arthritis
Muscle atrophy is a sign to conduct what other examination?
LMN lesion -> perform neuro exam
What are the two different knee deformities?
Valgus - knock knees (inwards)
Varus - bow legged
Why do you feel for temperature around the knee? How?
Warmth is indication of inflammatory condition (osteoarthritis/septic arthritis)
use back of hand
What is a sign of meniscal damage?
pain when palpating around the patella and medial and lateral joint lines
What is swelling in the popliteal fossa a sign of?
Bakers cyst
What is an effusion in MSK?
Excess of synovial fluid caused by arthritis or joint damage to the internal structures of the knee such as the meniscus
What part of the knee has to be emptied during examination of the joint for effusion?
suprapatellar pouch (diagram in booklet
What test is used for small effusions? What will you see?
Sweep test - ripple or bulge of fluid appears on the medial side of the knee from the lateral compartment
What muscles is flexion of the knee performed by?
Hamstring
- biceps femoris
- semitendinosus
- semimembranosus
and gracilis
What muscles is extension of the knee performed by?
Quadriceps
- vastus medius
- vastus lateralis
- vastus intermedius
- rectus femoris
Damage to which group of muscles results in an inability to straight leg raise?
Quadriceps
What can reduced range of motion during active movement of the knee be due to?
Arthritis
What can pain during active movement of the knee be due to?
Damage to structures ie fracture of the meniscus
What degree of hyperextension is normal at the knee?
10 degrees
What are the two special knee tests? What do they test for?
Anterior draw for ACL (ACL prevents anterior subluxation)
Posterior sag for PCL (PCL prevents posterior subluxation)
Subluxation = dislocation
What test indicates ACL pathology and what is this associated with?
Movement of >1.5cm in the anterior draw test suggest ACL rupture
Often associated with medial ligament injury
How are medial and lateral ligaments of the knee tested?
Valgus and varus stress is applied
When palpating the knee joint which structures are palpated?
- Around the patella
- Medial Joint Line
- Lateral Joint Line
- Tibial Tuberosity
- Head of Fibula
- Popliteal Fossa
What is the normal range of motion at the knee?
0-140
What is the normal range of movement at the hip joint?
0-180
Where do you place your hands when testing the medial collateral ligament?
Lateral aspect of lower thigh
Medial aspect of upper leg with fingers over medial joint line
Apply valgus stress (inwards force)
Where do you place your hands when testing the lateral collateral ligament?
Medial aspect of lower thigh
Lateral aspect of upper leg with fingers over lateral joint line
Apply varus stress (outwards force)
