4621 Musculoskeletal Examination: Posture, Gait, Joint Deformities,
Swelling, Nodules, Bursae, Muscle Atrophy, Skin Lesions, Crepitus,
Tenderness, Effusion, Ligament Laxity, Muscle Tone, Fasciculations,
Active and Passive ROM, Flexion, Extension, Abduction, Adduction,
Rotation, Lateral Bending, Goniometry, Manual Muscle Strength,
Reflexes, Sensory Mapping, Tinel’s Sign, Phalen’s Sign, Spurling’s Test,
Drop Arm, Neer and Hawkins Impingement, McMurray, Bulge and
Ballottement Tests Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Musculoskeletal disorders
Leading cause of medical office visits in the US
Most common - arthritis and back pain
Major parts
Joints
Ligaments
Muscles
Tendons
Cartilage
Bursae
Conditions associated with joint pain
Mechanical problems
Soft tissue conditions
Inflammatory diseases
,Noninflammatory disease
Red flags
Major trauma
Hot or swollen joints
Focal or diffuse weakness
Neurogenic pain
Claudication
Nighttime pain
Poorly localized pain
Recent joint surgery or procedure
Review of System
History of associated pain
Swelling
Redness
Stiffness
Crepitus
Limitation
Weakness
Past medical history
Recent or remote trauma
Recent infections
RA, OA, osteoporosis, gout
Any prior muscoskeletal surgeries
,Medications
Previous treatment from PT, chiropractors
Other disorders - gonococcal arthritis, lyme disease or SLE
Medications with Musculoskeletal effects
•Diuretics, chemotherapy - hyperuricemia
•Hydralazine, Procainamide, Isoniazid, methyldopa and oral contraceptives - SLE
•NSAIDS, statins, fibrates and e-mycins - rhabdomyolysis
Family history
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Gout
Social history/habits
Use of devices (crutches, walkers)
Normal daily activities and limitations
Occupational, social and recreational physical activities - that may trigger symptoms
Inspection (overall assessment)
•Posture
•Any joint deformity
•Limited motion
•Asymmetry of joints or muscles
•Skin lesions, scars, bulges
, •Any redness or swelling (inflammatory)
•Gaits (normal, heel-to-toe, on toes and heels)
•Full ROM of all joints without resistance
Focused exam
area of complaint
Palpate
•Joints - deformities, nodularities, tenderness, swelling or warmth (inflammatory or infectious causes of
pain)
•Palpable crepitus
•Muscles - tone, size and tenderness
•Point tenderness (bursitis, tendinitis, fibromyalgia)
crepatius
crunching or grating noise when flexing a joint
can indicate arthritis
ROM
start with active ROM (when the individual is doing the ROM) of each joint - if pain support the limb
through passive ROM
Passive ROM
When you are helping the individual move their joints or extremities
Swelling, Nodules, Bursae, Muscle Atrophy, Skin Lesions, Crepitus,
Tenderness, Effusion, Ligament Laxity, Muscle Tone, Fasciculations,
Active and Passive ROM, Flexion, Extension, Abduction, Adduction,
Rotation, Lateral Bending, Goniometry, Manual Muscle Strength,
Reflexes, Sensory Mapping, Tinel’s Sign, Phalen’s Sign, Spurling’s Test,
Drop Arm, Neer and Hawkins Impingement, McMurray, Bulge and
Ballottement Tests Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Musculoskeletal disorders
Leading cause of medical office visits in the US
Most common - arthritis and back pain
Major parts
Joints
Ligaments
Muscles
Tendons
Cartilage
Bursae
Conditions associated with joint pain
Mechanical problems
Soft tissue conditions
Inflammatory diseases
,Noninflammatory disease
Red flags
Major trauma
Hot or swollen joints
Focal or diffuse weakness
Neurogenic pain
Claudication
Nighttime pain
Poorly localized pain
Recent joint surgery or procedure
Review of System
History of associated pain
Swelling
Redness
Stiffness
Crepitus
Limitation
Weakness
Past medical history
Recent or remote trauma
Recent infections
RA, OA, osteoporosis, gout
Any prior muscoskeletal surgeries
,Medications
Previous treatment from PT, chiropractors
Other disorders - gonococcal arthritis, lyme disease or SLE
Medications with Musculoskeletal effects
•Diuretics, chemotherapy - hyperuricemia
•Hydralazine, Procainamide, Isoniazid, methyldopa and oral contraceptives - SLE
•NSAIDS, statins, fibrates and e-mycins - rhabdomyolysis
Family history
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Gout
Social history/habits
Use of devices (crutches, walkers)
Normal daily activities and limitations
Occupational, social and recreational physical activities - that may trigger symptoms
Inspection (overall assessment)
•Posture
•Any joint deformity
•Limited motion
•Asymmetry of joints or muscles
•Skin lesions, scars, bulges
, •Any redness or swelling (inflammatory)
•Gaits (normal, heel-to-toe, on toes and heels)
•Full ROM of all joints without resistance
Focused exam
area of complaint
Palpate
•Joints - deformities, nodularities, tenderness, swelling or warmth (inflammatory or infectious causes of
pain)
•Palpable crepitus
•Muscles - tone, size and tenderness
•Point tenderness (bursitis, tendinitis, fibromyalgia)
crepatius
crunching or grating noise when flexing a joint
can indicate arthritis
ROM
start with active ROM (when the individual is doing the ROM) of each joint - if pain support the limb
through passive ROM
Passive ROM
When you are helping the individual move their joints or extremities
