Musculoskeletal Examination:
General Principles and Detailed
Evaluation Of the Knee & Shoulder
By Daniel M. Kangutu
, General Principles
• Musculoskeletal exam performed if
symptoms(i.e. injury, pain, decreased
function) –Different from “screening exam”
• Focused on symptomatic area
• Musculoskeletal complaints common-
frequently examined
, Historical Clues
• What’s functional limitation?
• Symptoms in single v multiple joints?
• Acute v slowly progressive?
• If injury mechanism?
• Prior problems w/area?
• Systemic symptoms?
, Examination Keys To Evaluating Any Joint
• Area well exposed-no shirts, pants, gowns etc
• Inspect joint(s)in question. Signs inflammation, injury
(swelling, redness, warmth)? Deformity? Compare
w/opposite side
• Understand normal functional anatomy
• Observe normal activity–what can’t they do? Specific
limitations? Discrete event (e.g. trauma)? Mechanism
of injury?
• Palpate joint warmth? Point tenderness? Over what
structure(s)?
General Principles and Detailed
Evaluation Of the Knee & Shoulder
By Daniel M. Kangutu
, General Principles
• Musculoskeletal exam performed if
symptoms(i.e. injury, pain, decreased
function) –Different from “screening exam”
• Focused on symptomatic area
• Musculoskeletal complaints common-
frequently examined
, Historical Clues
• What’s functional limitation?
• Symptoms in single v multiple joints?
• Acute v slowly progressive?
• If injury mechanism?
• Prior problems w/area?
• Systemic symptoms?
, Examination Keys To Evaluating Any Joint
• Area well exposed-no shirts, pants, gowns etc
• Inspect joint(s)in question. Signs inflammation, injury
(swelling, redness, warmth)? Deformity? Compare
w/opposite side
• Understand normal functional anatomy
• Observe normal activity–what can’t they do? Specific
limitations? Discrete event (e.g. trauma)? Mechanism
of injury?
• Palpate joint warmth? Point tenderness? Over what
structure(s)?
