Blog

You are treating a patient with medial epicondylitis of the elbow.  The patient informs you that he is an avid golfer and participated in a weekend tournament at a local golf club.  He comes to the clinic complaining of pain, inflammation and tendonitis in the medial epicondyle region of the elbow.  The physical therapist informs you that you should perform a musculoskeletal assessment on the patient, as well as evaluate possible nerve injury.  You are palpating behind the medial epicondyle region of the elbow for pain and tenderness.  Of the following, which is the nerve that lies behind the medial epicondyle of the elbow?

A patient enters the clinic with what appears to be a “pinched nerve” in the cervical area.  Which of the following special tests should be included in the patient assessment to assist in identifying the affected nerve’s dermatome distribution?

A therapist observes a patient’s static posture.  The therapist notes significant increase in hyperextension of the lumbar spine.  This structural deviation can be caused by ______?

In many shoulder pathologies including rotator cuff strains you should begin exercise in the plane of the scapula, or scaption position, to restore normal rhythm and retrain the rotator cuff musculature.  Define the starting point for exercise “in the plane of the scapula”?

You are completing an ergonomic assessment of a patient following a back injury. Elements that should be considered include:

Bob, a PTA, performs a special test in which the patient is supine. He passively flexes his patient’s neck and notes immediate hip and knee flexion. Bob is performing which test? 

Common exercises included in PT management of spinal stenosis include Williams flexion exercises.  Which additional muscle stretch would assist in decreasing lumbar lordosis?

CLO 4 Obstetric patients who would benefit from PT services include those who deliver vaginally as well as those who have a Cesarean delivery.

A therapist performs a special orthopedic test on a patient to determine muscular tightness.  The patient is positioned  in supine with their lower leg hanging over the edge of the table.  The patient can lower their thigh fully on the table, however the knee can not flex to 90 degrees.  A probable cause includes tightness of the ______________?

Your patient suffered a syndesmotic sprain while skiing over the weekend.  Which of the following special tests do you expect to be positive?