MSK Examination Flashcards
What is the patient positioning for a hand and wrist exam? (Intro –> consent, exposure and position)
Sitting, elbows out, Hands on pillow
What is the patient positioning for an elbow exam? (Intro –> consent, exposure and position)
standing in anatomical position
What is the patient positioning for a shoulder exam? (Intro –> consent, exposure and position)
Standing
What observations are looked at in H&W exam DORSUM of hand?
Dorsum (palms down) scars or swelling skin colour (erythema/pallor) Skin changes (thinning, bruising, psoriatic plaques) Muscle wasting nail changes (vasculitis, pitting, onycholysis) Hand posture (contractures) deformities (heberdens or bouchards nodes)
NB: if there are any clinical signs indicated note if they are symmetrical or not e.g. affecting both limbs or not
What observations are looked at in H&W exam SIDES of hand?
Swan neck deformity Boutonnieres deformity (opp of swan neck)
From thumb side: Z-thumb deformity
[all of these are assoc. with RA]
What observations are looked at in H&W exam PALM of hands?
NB: looking at both hands hand posture (symmetry, contractures,) Scars or swelling Colour - erythema/pallor Thenar/hypothenar wasting (Ul or med nerve lesion; thenar only ~carpal tunnel)
What observations are looked at in H&W exam elbow?
Psoriatic plaques or rheumatoid nodules
What do you FEEL for in a H&W exam?
First: temp palms and forearm, wrist, MCPs), R&U pulse, {tendons, joints and bones}
Palm up:
thenar and hypothenar eminence bulk
palmar thickening
assess median and ulnar nerve sensation [thenar and index for M.nerve and hypothenar and little finger for U.nerve]
Dorsum:
radial nerve sensation (over first dorsal web space)
Palpate anatomical snuffbox
Squeeze MCP joints (tenderness=?active inflamm arthropathy)
Bimanually palp DIPs, PIPs, MCPs and CMC [comparing joints for tenderness, irregularities and warmth]
Palpate wrists (irregularities and tenderness)
Palpate elbow (from arm along ulnar boarder = rheum nodules or psoriatic plaques)
How do you move the patient in a H&W exam?
Do active, then passive (- for crepitus)
Finger extension/flexion (open/fist)
Wrist extension/flexion (prayer and ~phalens)
ALSO in H&W do motor (like power movements) assesment:
Radial nerve –> wrist/finger extension resisted
Ulnar nerve - index finger abduction
Median - thumb abduction
What are the special tests in H&W exam?
(as well as motor assessment of U,R &M nerve in H&W) also do a function assessment:
Power grip,
pincer grip
and pick up small object
Then
Tinnels
Phalens
What is the overall order for a H&W examination?
Consent, exposure, position
around bed
Look: palms down, sides, up
Feel: Palms up, down, MCP squeeze, bimanual palp of DIPs,PIPs,MCP,CMC, anatomical snuffbox, wrists and elbows
Move: active and passive; finger ext/flex and wrist ext/flex
Motor assessment (radial, ulnar and median)
Function assessment (power, pincer, pick up a small object)
ST: Tinnels; phalens
What do you look at in an elbow examination?
Around the bed
inspect from front: scars, swelling / erythema; carrying angle (cubitus valgus/varus)
Side: fixed flexion deformity, olecranon bursitis, scars / swelling / erythema
Behind: rheumatoid nodules, psoriatic plaques
What do you feel for in an elbow examination?
Temperature
Radial head - capitellum -lateral epicondyle, olecranon, medial epicondyle
Biceps tendon
How do you do “move” in an elbow examination?
- Do both active and passive (p-to feel for crepitus) Elbow: Flexion Extension Pronation Supination
What are the special tests in elbow examination?
Medial epicondylitis (golfers elbow) A.K.A. active wrist flexion against resistance (while firmly feeling the medial epicondyle)
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) A.K.A active wrist extension against resistance