msk

Question 1

What is the exposure for MSK examination?

Answer 1

Knee joint, quadriceps, calf muscles must be exposed

Question 2

What must be looked for in an MSK exam (during inspection) and what does this show?

Answer 2

Scars - previous surgery or trauma to the joint
Wasting of muscle due to disuse of muscle - arthritis

Question 3

Muscle atrophy is a sign to conduct what other examination?

Answer 3

LMN lesion -> perform neuro exam

Question 4

What are the two different knee deformities?

Answer 4

Valgus - knock knees (inwards)
Varus - bow legged

Question 5

Why do you feel for temperature around the knee? How?

Answer 5

Warmth is indication of inflammatory condition (osteoarthritis/septic arthritis)

use back of hand

Question 6

What is a sign of meniscal damage?

Answer 6

pain when palpating around the patella and medial and lateral joint lines

Question 7

What is swelling in the popliteal fossa a sign of?

Answer 7

Bakers cyst

Question 8

What is an effusion in MSK?

Answer 8

Excess of synovial fluid caused by arthritis or joint damage to the internal structures of the knee such as the meniscus

Question 9

What part of the knee has to be emptied during examination of the joint for effusion?

Answer 9

suprapatellar pouch (diagram in booklet

Question 10

What test is used for small effusions? What will you see?

Answer 10

Sweep test - ripple or bulge of fluid appears on the medial side of the knee from the lateral compartment

Question 11

What muscles is flexion of the knee performed by?

Answer 11

Hamstring
- biceps femoris
- semitendinosus
- semimembranosus
and gracilis

Question 12

What muscles is extension of the knee performed by?

Answer 12

Quadriceps
- vastus medius
- vastus lateralis
- vastus intermedius
- rectus femoris

Question 13

Damage to which group of muscles results in an inability to straight leg raise?

Answer 13

Quadriceps

Question 14

What can reduced range of motion during active movement of the knee be due to?

Answer 14

Arthritis

Question 15

What can pain during active movement of the knee be due to?

Answer 15

Damage to structures ie fracture of the meniscus

Question 16

What degree of hyperextension is normal at the knee?

Answer 16

10 degrees

Question 17

What are the two special knee tests? What do they test for?

Answer 17

Anterior draw for ACL (ACL prevents anterior subluxation)
Posterior sag for PCL (PCL prevents posterior subluxation)

Subluxation = dislocation

Question 18

What test indicates ACL pathology and what is this associated with?

Answer 18

Movement of >1.5cm in the anterior draw test suggest ACL rupture

Often associated with medial ligament injury

Question 19

How are medial and lateral ligaments of the knee tested?

Answer 19

Valgus and varus stress is applied

Question 20

When palpating the knee joint which structures are palpated?

Answer 20

• Around the patella
• Medial Joint Line
• Lateral Joint Line
• Tibial Tuberosity
• Head of Fibula
• Popliteal Fossa

Question 21

What is the normal range of motion at the knee?

Answer 21

0-140

Question 22

What is the normal range of movement at the hip joint?

Answer 22

0-180

Question 23

Where do you place your hands when testing the medial collateral ligament?

Answer 23

Lateral aspect of lower thigh
Medial aspect of upper leg with fingers over medial joint line
Apply valgus stress (inwards force)

Question 24

Where do you place your hands when testing the lateral collateral ligament?

Answer 24

Medial aspect of lower thigh
Lateral aspect of upper leg with fingers over lateral joint line
Apply varus stress (outwards force)