Special Tests - Musculoskeletal

Question 1

how is the type of test determined

Answer 1

nature of the chief complaint

sxs

previous physical examination results

Question 2

tests may be

Answer 2

specific to areas of involvement

Question 3

allen test

Answer 3

pt opens and closes fist several time

on the fifth time they hold it close while the PT occludes the radial and ulnar arteries w/ pressure

hand is then opened

one artery is released

Question 4

tinnel sign

Answer 4

vigorous tapping of the ulnar nerve b/w the olecranon and medial epicondyle

Question 5

what is tinnel sign looking for

Answer 5

neuroma or neuritis

will send a sensation of “pins and needles” down the forearm

Question 6

phalens test

Answer 6

attempts to reproduce sxs of carpal tunnel

Question 7

how do we do the phalens test

Answer 7

pt places the dorsal aspects of both hands against each other

push wrists into maximum flexion

Question 8

lateral epicondylitis test could be performed

Answer 8

passively and actively

Question 9

active lateral epicondylitis test

Answer 9

pt makes a fists and then extends the wrist

while stabilizing the forearm, PT attempts to force the wrist into flexion

Question 10

if pathology is present –> lateral epicondylitis test

Answer 10

pain will be felt over the lateral epicondyle and the wrist extensors

Question 11

supraspinatus or drop arm test indicates

Answer 11

tear in the rotator cuff muscle

specifically the supraspinatus

Question 12

drop arm test procedure

Answer 12

pt arm is passively ABD to 90

then ask the pt to slowly lowe rit down to their side

Question 13

if pathology is present –> drop arm test

Answer 13

pt will be unable to hold the arm up or lower it slowly to their side

Question 14

if pt is able to hold arm up –> drop arm test

Answer 14

gentle tap at 90 will cause arm to fall to side if pathology is present

Question 15

dural sign

Answer 15

pt is in the supine position and passively flexes their neck

LE can also be flexed to increase the dural stretch

Question 16

positive sign –> dural sign

Answer 16

pt experiencing radiating pain across the back

normally the radiation will be down the middle of the back along the vertebral column

Question 17

ober test

Answer 17

tests for ITB contracture or tightness

Question 18

ober test procedure

Answer 18

pt positioned in side lying with affected side up

knee is flexed while the therapist extends and ABD the involved hip with 1 hand

Question 19

stabilization –> ober test

Answer 19

pelvis is stabilized with the other hand as the limb is allowed to lower

Question 20

if there is tightness –> ober test

Answer 20

limb will not lower to meet the other leg

the ITB will be tighter w/ knee in flexion

Question 21

thomas test

Answer 21

test for tightness of the hip flexors, rectus femoris and ITB

Question 22

position of pt –> thomas test

Answer 22

pt at the very end of the table

have them lay spine and draw both LE up tightly to their chest

maximum knee and hip flexion

pt is required to hold position w/ both hands

Question 23

thomas test procedure

Answer 23

act pt to lower one leg towards the table while the other leg remains in maximum hip and knee flexion

Question 24

thigh rises up and stays off the table –> thomas test

Answer 24

hip flexors are tight

regardless of knee being flexed or extended

Question 25

if thigh drops down to the table when the knee is extended –> thomas test

Answer 25

rectus femoris is tight

Question 26

LE ABD when leg is flexed–> thomas test

Answer 26

ITB is tight

Question 27

90/90 test –> pt position

Answer 27

supine

asked to grasp one leg behind the thigh to position the hip in 90 flexion

Question 28

90/90 test procedure

Answer 28

pt is required to extend their knee as far as possible

Question 29

thompson test

Answer 29

squeeze the calf while pt is in prone and feet hanging off the table

if normal the foot will PF

Question 30

SLR test pt position

Answer 30

supine

Question 31

SLR test procedure

Answer 31

therapist passively flexes the pt’s hip w/ knee extended

Question 32

if pathology is present –> SLR test

Answer 32

pt will complain of radiating pain into the LE

Question 33

extremity girth measurements

Answer 33

measured to asses for muscle atrophy, hypertrophy or swelling

Question 34

how should the circumference of a limb be measured

Answer 34

regular intervals

along the long axis of the body part

Question 35

extremity girl measurement techniques

Answer 35

bony prominence is used as a reproducible landmark for reassessment of the pt’s status