Objective Examination, Assessment, and Treatment Plan Flashcards
Content: Planning the objective examination (5)
- Reflect if you’ve got everything
- Decide on peripheral/spinal exam
- SINSS - P/C
- Extent of exam
- Movements/tests that will confirm hypothesis
Content: 5 parts of the objective examination
- Determine structure(s) involved
- Confirm/refute hypothesis
- Est. baseline
- Identify impairments
- Determine effect on function
Content: Key points to remember while performing an objective examination (7)
- Tell pt. what you’re doing
- Test normal side 1st
- Do active, then passive, then resisted isometric movements
- Do painful movements last
- Apply overpressure to test end feel
- Repeat/sustain positions if history indicates
- Take baseline signs
Q: With passive movements and ligamentous testing, both the _________ and ________ (end feel) of opening are important.
Degree, quality
Q: With ligamentous testing, ________ with increasing stress.
Repeat
Q: With myotome testing, make sure that contractions are held for _____ ________.
5, seconds
T/F: You should warn the pt. of potential exacerbations or painful parts of the OE.
True
Content: 8 components of the OE
- Observation/posture
- Scanning/screening to rule out/in spine
- ROM - active and passive
- Joint play
- MMT
- Palpation
- Special tests
- Functional tests
Contents: 3 things to observe during an OE
- Posture
- Movement limitation
- Care giver support
Content: Scanning/Screening - “Quick look” (4)
- Rule out possibility of referral symptoms (esp. from spine)
- Confirm where pathology located
- Ensure correct diagnosis
- No more than 5-10 minutes
Content: Using the scanning examination (7)
- No history or trauma
- Radicular signs present
- Trauma with radicular signs
- Altered sensation in limb
- Spinal cord (“long track”) signs
- Pt. presents with abnormal patterns
- Suspected psychogenic pain
Diagram: Decision tree for OE

Content: Scanning exam for the peripheral joint assessment: Perform in the spine (2)
- Active and passive movements
- Resisted isometric movements
Content: 5 things that can be assessed from AROM during the OE
- Symptoms reproduction
- Quantity of ROM
- Integrity of contractile and inert tissue
- Presence of muscle substituion
- CPR
Q: Full and pain free ______ suggests normalcy.
AROM
Content: 3 things that can be assessed from PROM during the OE
- AROM was limited
- Apply gentle overpressure
- End feel
Content: End feel (according to Cyriax) (4)
- Capsular
- Bony
- Elastic
- Soft tissue approximation
Content: 4 types of abnormal end feel
- Springy
- Boggy
- Spasm
- Empty
Defn: Springy end feel
Rebound sensation
Defn: Boggy end feel
Squishy sensation
Defn: Spasm end feel
Abrupt end
Defn: Empty end feel
Limitation without tissue resistance but with pain
Content: 3 ways to assess flexibility
- Using end feel
- Postural analysis
- Special tests (SLR, Ober, etc)
Q: What is goniometry used for?
Assessment and reassessment
Q: What 3 things can be measured with goniometry?
- AROM
- PROM
- Flexibility
Q: What does PAM stand for?
Passive articular mobility
Content: PAM (3)
- Also called joint glides
- Assess the accessory movements
- Determine: hypo/norm/hypermobile
Content: Two types of unrestricted PAM
- Normal
- Excessive
Defn: Normal PAM
Integrity of joint and surrounding tissues
Defn: Excessive PAM
Instability or joint laxity
Defn: Restricted PAM
Joint surface and/or surrounding tissues are implicated
Content: 3 types of Distraction
- Limited
- Painful
- Eases pain
Q: What limits distraction?
Contracture of connective tissues
Q: What makes distraction painful?
Tearing of connective tissue
Q: What about distraction eases pain?
Articular surfaces are implicated
Content: 2 types of compression
- Eases pain
- Painful
Defn: Compression that eases pain
Joint capsule implication
Defn: Compression that is painful
Joint surface implication
Q: How many grades are involved in the Maitland approach?
I to V
Q: What does the following MMT finding imply? Strong and painless
Normal finding
Q: What does the following MMT finding imply? Weak or painful contraction (3)
- Rupture
- Palsy
- Neuropathy
Q: What does the following MMT finding imply? Strong and painful
Minor muscle lesion
Q: What does the following MMT finding imply? Weakness (other source)
Preform a reassessment
Q: What is the purpose of a special testing during the OE?
To confirm your hypothesis
Q: What are some examples of functional tests?
Hop test, doulbe legged squat test, maximum jump height, etc
Q: What are some examples of balance tests?
Single leg stance, start test, TUG
Content: 6 intervention categories to consider for your treatment plan
- Education
- Modalities
- TherEx
- Manual therapy
- Assistive device
- Home Exercise Program
Diagram: Progress and reasses - Clinical problem solving

Q: Clinical problem sovling involves ______________ _______________.
Continued, assessment