musculoskeletal tests

Question 1

straight leg raising test

Answer 1

pt is supine. examiner’s hand on heel and other hand behind calf of same leg. raise leg to angle of pain then dorsiflex foot

Question 2

what is the straight leg raising testing for?

Answer 2

herniated disc

Question 3

measure leg length

Answer 3

measure from anterior superior iliac spine to medial malleolus [hip bone to inside ankle]

Question 4

what is measuring the leg length testing for?

Answer 4

to determine if there is a difference between each side. possible scoliosis, discrepancies ,etc.

Question 5

tinel’s sign

Answer 5

pt is sitting, elbow flexed and wrist upward, tap on median nerve

Question 6

abnormal tinel’s sign

Answer 6

tingling or burning in hand, thumb, or fingers

Question 7

reason for tinel’s test

Answer 7

testing for carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 8

phalen’s test

Answer 8

pt is sitting, elbows flexed and backs of hand pressed together for 1 minute

Question 9

abnormal phalen’s test

Answer 9

numbness in palmar aspect of hand

Question 10

reason for phalen’s test

Answer 10

testing for carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 11

bulge test

Answer 11

stroke medial side of knee upward with ball of hand 3-4 times to get fluid to one side. press on lateral knee and look for bulge on medial side

Question 12

reason for bulge test

Answer 12

helps detect SMALL amounts of fluid

Question 13

ballottement test

Answer 13

with non-dominant hand squeeze about patella, with other hand press patella against toward femur to assess for click or fluid wave

Question 14

reason for ballottement test

Answer 14

helps detect LARGE amounts of fluid

Question 15

mcmurray’s test

Answer 15

flex knee and hip of affected leg, place thumb and index finger on opposite sides of knee, with other hand rotate lower leg laterally noting pain or clicking

Question 16

reason for mcmurray’s test

Answer 16

testing for torn meniscus