Musculoskeletal Flashcards
What comprises the musculoskeletal system?
muscles bones tendons ligaments joints cartilage
What are potential presenting complaints for musculoskeletal system?
- lameness
- recumbancy
- syncope
- weakness
- wobbly
What are to non-exclusive types of problems with the musculoskeletal system?
- generalized
2. localized
What are two points of confusion that may make an issue seem muskuloskeletal when it isn’t?
- neurological disorders
2. pain
What are important points in a history?
- get full history
- ask specifics:
a. problem,
b. progression,
c. previous treatments and response
What are important points in a history?
- get full history
- ask specifics:
a. problem,
b. progression,
c. previous treatments and response
Why do you need to do a general physical exam?
- to rule out other body systems
2. to look for problems to support differentials
What are two problems with gait evaluation?
- requires experience
2. need to reproduce the problem–it may not be apparent at a walk–can be subtle
What two things need to be done in a specific physical exam?
- palpation
2. manipulation
What must you know and look for with palpation
- must know normal
- must look for
a. pain
b. different morphology
c. changes in tone
d. swelling
What do you have to manipulate? What do you look for?
- manipulate every joint
- check:
a. range of motion
b. smoothness of motion
c. pain
Is a neurological exam always done? Why is it done?
- not always done
2. need to rule out possibility of neuro cause
How can you localize discomfort?
- nerve blocks
3. joint blocks
What direction do you work with nerve/joint blocks?
distal to proximal
What can be run on the blood?
- CBC–infectious?
2. chemistry panel–Ca/P; Ck/AST for muscle damage