Orthopedic Physiotherapy Assignment

Q-Discuss the components of musculoskeletal

assessment of patient.

● A-The assessment is carried out under following

categories :-
1. Patient History
2. Observation
3. Examination
4. Palpation
5. Special tests
6. Joint movement, Reflexes and Cutaneous Sensation
7. Diagnostic Imaging

1. Patient History
Demographic data-
Name
Age
Gender
Occupation
Address
Phone no.

-Chief complaint
-History of Present illness
-History of Past illness
-Medical History
-Surgical History
-Family History
-Personal History
-Pain History- onset of pain
- Pattern of pain
- Type of pain
- Site & side of pain
- Nature of pain
- Intensity of pain
- Aggravating factors
- Relieving factors
- Red flag/ yellow flag

2. Observation
It include the features that are observed in the affected joint and
area without touching.
-Skin
-swelling
-Oedema
-Gait
-Posture
-attitude
-deformity
-limb length
-Amputation
-Any other significant finding

3. Examination
It include the features that are examined in the affected joint and
area with touching.
-Muscle spasm
-Range of Motion(Active, then passive)
-End feel
- Muscle Strength
-Muscle tightness
-Contracture
-Manual Muscle Testing(MMT)
- soft tissue contour
-bony contour
-Resisted Isometric Contraction(RIC)
-Dermatome
-Myotome
-Tone of muscle
-Reflexes

4. Palpation
Palpation of the affected area include
- Palpating the movement of joint.
- Check bony contours
- Trick/ compensatory movements

5. Special tests
There are clinical tests designed for the diagnostic and
confirmation of conditions.
6. Joint movement, Reflexes and
Cutaneous Sensation
Joint movement include-
-Range of Motion
-Behavior of joint

Cutaneous sensation include

-sensation of joint or area affected.
-analgesic
- Dermatome

7. Diagnostic Imaging
These are the confirmatory reports of the conditions which are
obtained from- X ray
- CT scan
- Ultrasound
- MRI