SCREENING MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAMINATION

Today's Topic: SCREENING MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAMINATION

12-step procedure for comprehensive musculoskeletal screening examination:

STEP 1: Gait analysis in multiple directions
STEP 2: Observation of static posture & palpable assessment of paired anatomical landmarks.
STEP 3: Dynamic trunk sidebending
STEP 4: Standing flexion test
STEP 5: Stork test
STEP 6: Seated flexion test
STEP 7: Screening test of upper extremities
STEP 8: Trunk rotation
STEP 9: Trunk sidebending
STEP 10: HEad & neck mobility
STEP 11: Respiration of thoracic cage
STEP 12: Lower extremity screening

Today we will cover STEP 1: Gait Analysis
Observe gait with patient walking a) towards you, b) away from you & c) from the side
Observe following different measures:
a) Stride Length
b) Arm Swing
c) Heel Strike
d) Toe Off
e) Pelvic Tilt
f) Shoulder Adaption
Look for functional capacity of the gait rather than usual pathological conditions (i.e., cross-patterning of the gait & symmetry of stride)
Reference: Principles of Manual Medicine - Philip E. Greenman