Lower Extremity Injury Assessment Flashcards
6 cards from real NATA-BOC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Lower Extremity Injury Assessment flashcards as text
An athlete presents with pain at the anterolateral ankle that worsens with dorsiflexion and external rotation of the foot. Which injury should the athletic trainer suspect?
Answer: Syndesmotic (high) ankle sprain
Pain at the anterolateral ankle that increases with dorsiflexion and external rotation (positive squeeze test or external rotation test) is characteristic of a syndesmotic or high ankle sprain, involving the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament.
Which special test is used to assess the integrity of the posterior cruciate ligament?
Answer: Posterior drawer test
The posterior drawer test is the primary special test for assessing the posterior cruciate ligament. It is performed with the knee at 90 degrees of flexion, applying a posterior force to the proximal tibia.
A distance runner presents with gradually worsening medial tibial pain that is relieved by rest. Palpation reveals diffuse tenderness along the posteromedial border of the tibia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)
Medial tibial stress syndrome presents with diffuse tenderness along the posteromedial tibial border, typically in the middle to distal third. The gradual onset, relationship to activity, and relief with rest are characteristic features.
During a lateral pivot shift test, the athletic trainer feels a clunk as the knee moves from flexion to extension. What does this positive finding indicate?
Answer: ACL insufficiency with anterolateral rotatory instability
A positive pivot shift test indicates ACL insufficiency with anterolateral rotatory instability. The clunk occurs as the laterally subluxed tibial plateau spontaneously reduces as the knee moves from flexion to extension.
An athlete complains of lateral knee pain that worsens during downhill running. Tenderness is localized over the lateral femoral condyle. Which condition is most likely?
Answer: Iliotibial band syndrome
Iliotibial band syndrome presents with lateral knee pain localized to the lateral femoral condyle that worsens with repetitive flexion/extension activities. Downhill running increases friction of the IT band over the condyle.
Which test is most appropriate for assessing a suspected Achilles tendon rupture in an acute setting?
Answer: Thompson (Simmonds) test
The Thompson test is the primary clinical test for Achilles tendon rupture. The examiner squeezes the calf with the patient prone; absence of passive plantar flexion indicates tendon discontinuity.