UE Observation Flashcards
General observation of the shoulder
Deformity, atrophy, redness, swelling, scars, attitude of pt, pt willingness to move, slings, contractures
Front view: A/C, S/C, clavicle, muscle bulk, rounded shoulder
note: edema assesment is difficult to measure, observe and feel at the shoulder
Lennie’s test
common shoulder postural deviations - posterior view
Back view: scapular position
Tilting
anterior – inferior angle is separated from the thoracic cage (tipping)
posterior – inferior angle is pressed very firmly to thoracic cage
Rotation
superior – medial edge is angled with inferior border farther from the midline (movement that accompanies shoulder abduction)
inferior – medial edge is angled with inferior edge closer to the midline.
*an inclinometer on the spine of the scapula can be used for an objective measure of superior/inferior rotation
internal - medial edge is separated from the thoracic cage (winging)
external - medial edge is pressed very firmly to thoracic cage
Protraction - medial edge is ~vertical, but farther from midline than normal
Retraction - medial edge is ~vertical, but closer to the midline than normal
Muscle hypertrophy/atrophy
proper sagittal plane alignment
common postural deviations of shoulder - side view
Side view: G/H position, rounded shoulder, forward head posture
scapular winging
general elbow observation
- Deformity
- Atrophy
- Redness
- Swelling
- Scars
- Attitude of pt & willingness to move
- Slings
- Contractures
- Nodules
carrying angle
intra-articular swelling assessment (elbow)
- Around med & lat epicondyle
- Around the forearm at a specific distance from the med or lat epicondyle (chart accordingly)
olecranon bursitis
wrist general observation
Observation & Oedema Assessment
- General observations
- Edema assessment: Tape measure, Around wrist, Around MCs or MCPs (but not very common), Around fingers (but not very common)
- Volumeter (no demonstration)
