Musculoskeletal Assessment Flashcards
What are the objectives of the musculoskeletal physical assessment?
To understand the role and function of the muscular/skeletal system. To safely and accurately preform a muscular skeletal assessment (subjective and objective) and clearly and accurately document assessment data.
What are the primary structures of the musculoskeletal system?
Bones, muscles, joints, cartilage, ligaments & tendons
Define synovial joints
The type of joint found between bones that move against each other, such as the joints of the limbs. They are enclosed in a joint cavity lubricated by synovial fluid and cartilage covers the surface of opposing bones.
Define non-synovial joints
These joints provide structural integrity and minimal movement. United by fibrous tissue or cartilage. Example: Skull or vertebrae.
What are the function of ligaments?
They support the bones, and strengthen the joint preventing undesirable directional movement. They are a fibrous band running directly from one bone to another.
What are the function of muscles?
They are a skeletal muscle which produce movement or motor functions when contracted under conscious control
What do we look for in a subjective review?
Lifestyle and health history such as: Surgical/medical history, medication history, mobility/activity patterns, and any difficulty’s with adls
What does coldspa stand for?
Character, onset, location, duration, severity, pattern, additional information.
What questions under C of coldspa would we ask when concerning joints.
What does the pain feel like (aching, stiff, sharp, dull, shooting pain)
What questions under O of coldspa would we ask when concerning joints.
When did it start?
What questions under L of coldspa would we ask when concerning joints.
Where is it, which joints, one side or both?
What questions under D of coldspa would we ask when concerning joints.
Any specific time of the day, how long has it been there for, how long does the pain last?
What questions under S of coldspa would we ask when concerning joints.
Pain Scale 0 being no pain to 10 being the worst pain imaginable.
What questions under P of coldspa would we ask when concerning joints.
What makes it better/worse? Is it aggravated by movement, improved by rest?
What questions under A of coldspa would we ask when concerning joints.
What is the clients understanding of the problem? What do they think is wrong? Does it stop them from doing anything (ADLs), and any other symptoms?
What are the 3 things we do in an objective review (physical examination)
Preparation, Inspection, and Palpation
What is involved in preparation for the Objective review?
Informed consent, privacy & infection control
What is involved in Inspection for the Objective review?
Size & contour of joint, skin & tissues over joints for colour, swelling & deformity. Compare both sides of body.
What is involved in palpation for the Objective review?
You need to place your hand over the joint and palpate it. Feel if it is swollen/tender/any heat/ any fluid on or over joint. Joints are not usually tender to palpate.
You need to inspect and palpate each joint prior to what?
Assessing ROM
What does ROM stand for?
Range of motion.
How do you check for range of motion of the joints?
Hold onto the joint as the patient moves their limb/body part. Note what you feel.
What do you need to make sure you dont confuse when looking at the ROM of joints?
Dont confuse crepitation with normal discrete ‘crack’ heard as tendons/ligaments slip over bone.
What’s involved in muscle resistance testing?
The testing of prime mover muscle groups for each joint.