MSK exam

Question 1

what is the basic outline of this exam?

Answer 1

look, feel, move

Question 2

for the knee what do you look for?

Answer 2

swelling, redness or inflammation (trauma, popliteal bursitis, arthritis), scars or deformities, atrophy of muscles particularly quadriceps and walking aids

Question 3

what do you feel for in the knee?

Answer 3

effusion by the patella tap or bulge test, temperature from midthigh to knee, tenderness along the patella and joint line, popliteal cyst/Baker’s cyst, establish range of movement for flexion and extension - active and then passive whilst examining for crepitus, compare range of movements, stability of the ACL/PCL using the drawer test, and MCL/LCL stability

Question 4

what would further tests be for knee?

Answer 4

McMurrays and Lachmans for possible cruciate ligament tears

Question 5

when is it easier to see a popliteal cyst?

Answer 5

when the patient is standing - also look for varus or valgus deformity

Question 6

what do you look for in gait?

Answer 6

smoothness and speed, limping and stride length