Orthopedic physiotherapy

Musculoskeletal Assessment

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