End Feel

Question 1

What is end feel?

Answer 1

Quality of resistance felt in PROM. Can determine the difference between normal end feel and pathological conditions.

Question 2

Hard (bony) end feel (normal)

Answer 2

Cause: bone contacting bone
Feeling: abrupt stop

Question 3

Soft end feel (normal)

Answer 3

Cause: soft tissue approximation
Feeling: soft, spongy stop due to tissue contact

Question 4

Firm (capsular or ligamentous) end feel (normal)

Answer 4

Cause: tension in the joint capsule, ligaments or muscles
Feeling: firm, but with some give

Question 5

Abnormal end feel

Answer 5

Occur later or earlier than usual and feels unexpected

Question 6

Empty end feel (abnormal)

Answer 6

Cause: pain limits motion before resistance is felt
Feeling: no resistance felt. Motion Stopped when patient is in pain

Question 7

Boggy end feel (abnormal)

Answer 7

Cause: soft tissue swelling
Feeling: soft, mushy sensation

Question 8

Springy end feel (abnormal)

Answer 8

Cause: internal derangement like a meniscal tear
Feeling: rebounding or bouncing sensation

Question 9

Spasm (muscle guarding) end feel (abnormal)

Answer 9

Cause: involuntary muscle contraction due to pain or instability.
Feeling: sudden, hard stop due to muscle spasm

Question 10

Firm or hard end feel at the wrong point (abnormal)

Answer 10

Normal end feel felt too early in the range. Often due to joint contraction or osteoarthritis.