ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL
POSTURE AND GAIT
Inspection
Observe posture. Note the
alignment of the head, trunk,
pelvis and extremities
Observe gait. Note the base of
support, weight-bearing
stability, foot position, stride
and length and cadence of
stride, arm swing and posture.
Palpation
Percussion
Auscultation
Temporomandibular Joint
Inspection
Inspect the Temporomandibular
Joint (TMJ)
Palpation
Palpate the
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
Percussion
Auscultation
STERNOCLAVICULAR JOINT
Inspection
Inspect the sternoclavicular
joint for location in midline,
color, swelling, and masses.
Palpation
Palpate the tenderness of pain
Percussion
Auscultation
Normal Finding Abnormal Finding
Posture is erect and Slumped shoulders and
comfortable for age. Abnlrmal curvatures of the
spine
Evenly distributed weight Uneven weight bearing is
evident.
NOT APPLICABLE
Normal Finding Abnormal
Snapping ang clicking may be Decreased ROM, swelling,
felt and heard. tenderness or crepitus,
decrease muscle strength,
clicking, popping or grating
sound may be noted.
Snapping ang clicking may be Decreased ROM, swelling,
felt and heard. tenderness or crepitus,
decrease muscle strength,
clicking, popping or grating
sound may be noted.
NOT APPLICABLE
Normal Finding Abnormal
No visible bony overgrowth, Swollen,red or elongated joint
swelling or redness;joint is not or tender, painful joint is seen.
tender.
No visible bony overgrowth, Swollen,red or elongated joint
swelling or redness;joint is not or tender, painful joint is seen.
tender.
NOT APPLICABLE
Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar spine
Inspection
Observe the cervical, thoracic
and lumbar curves from the
side, then from behind.
Palpation
Palpate the spinous process and
the paravertebral muscles on
both sides of the spine for
tenderness of pain
Percussion
Auscultation
Shoulders, Arms and Elbows
Inspection
Inspect shoulders and arms for
symmetry, color, swelling, and
masses
Palpation
Palpate the shoulder and arms
for tenderness, swelling or heat.
Anteriorly palpate the
clavicle,acromioclavicular joint,
subacromial area and the
biceps. Posteriorly palapte the
glenohumeral joint, coracoid
area, trapezius muscle and the
scapular area.
Percussion
Auscultation
Elbows
Inspection
Inspect for size, shape,
deformities, redness or
swelling. Inspect elbows in both
flexed and extended positions.
Palpation
Palpate the olecranon process
and epicondyles.
Normal Finding
Cervical and lumbar spines are
concave; thoracic spine is
convex. Spine is straight
Nontender spinous process;
well developed, firm and
smooth, nontender
paravertebral muscles. No
muscle spasm
NOT APPLICABLE
Normal Finding
Shoulders are symmetrically
round; no redness, swelling, or
deformity or heat.
Muscles are fully develop.
Clavicles and scapulae are even
and symmetric. The clients
reports no tenderness.
NOT APPLICABLE
Normal Finding
Elbows are symmetric without
deformities, redness or swelling
Nontender; without nodules
Abnormal
A flattened lumbar curvature,
lateral curvature of the thoracic
spinewith an increase in the
convexity on the curved side,
exaggerated lumbar curve, and
unequal heights of the hips may
be seen.
Compression fractures and
lumbosacral muscle strain.
Abnormal
Flat, hollow or less-rounded
shoulders are seen.
Muscle atrophy is seen and
tenderness, swelling, and heat
may be noted.
Abnormal
Redness, heat and swelling may
be seen
Firm, nontender, subcutaneous
nodules may be palpated as
well as tenderness or pain.
 Percussion
NOT APPLICABLE
Auscultation

Wrist

Inspection Normal Finding Abnormal

Inspect wrist size, shape,
symmetry, color and swelling.
Perform the squeeze test
Perform Phalen test
Perform test for Tinel sign
Observe for the flick signal
Palpation
Palpate for tenderness and
nodule.
Percussion
Auscultation
Wrist are symmetric, without
redness, or swelling.
Client tolerates the test without
exreme pain
No tingling, numbness, burning
or pain.
No tingling or shocking
sensation experienced with test
for tinel sign.
Client will not shkae or flick
wrist when asked this question
Nontender and free of nodules.
NOT APPLICABLE
Swelling, tenderness, nodules,
nontender, round, enlarged,
fluid-filled cyst may be noted.
Extreme pain is indicated.
Client may report tingling,
numbness burning or pain.
Tingling or shicking sensation is
experienced.
Client responds with a motion
that resembles shaking a
thermometer.
Tenderness, nodules,
nontender, round, enlarged,
fluid-filled cyst may be noted.