Musculoskeletal System Examination Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Musculoskeletal System Examination flashcards as text
A patient presents with a positive Thompson test (no plantar flexion with calf squeeze). This indicates rupture of which structure?
Answer: Achilles tendon
The Thompson test assesses Achilles tendon continuity; absence of plantar flexion when the calf is squeezed indicates a complete Achilles tendon rupture.
Which of the following describes the Cyriax concept of a 'non-capsular pattern' of restriction?
Answer: Limitation of only one or two movements not following capsular ratio
A non-capsular pattern involves restriction of one or two movements not in the proportions expected for capsular involvement, suggesting ligament adhesion, loose body, or extra-articular pathology.
A patient has decreased sensation on the medial forearm and weak elbow flexion after a humeral fracture. Which nerve is most likely injured?
Answer: Musculocutaneous nerve
The musculocutaneous nerve innervates the biceps and coracobrachialis (elbow flexion/supination) and provides sensation to the lateral forearm via the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve — medial forearm loss suggests this nerve.
When using a goniometer to measure knee flexion in prone, the stationary arm is aligned with:
Answer: The lateral femur parallel to the femoral shaft
For knee flexion, the stationary arm follows the lateral femoral shaft (toward the greater trochanter), and the moving arm follows the fibular shaft toward the lateral malleolus.
A positive Apley compression test combined with a negative Apley distraction test at the knee indicates pathology of which structure?
Answer: Menisci
Apley compression loads the menisci between the femur and tibia (positive = meniscal pain), while distraction unloads the menisci but stresses the ligaments.
During cervical spine assessment, Spurling's test (cervical quadrant test) is performed to reproduce which type of symptom?
Answer: Cervical radiculopathy
Spurling's test (cervical compression with ipsilateral side-bending and rotation) reproduces radicular arm pain by narrowing the neural foramen and compressing nerve roots.
Which of the following BEST describes the end-feel found in an acutely inflamed joint?
Answer: Empty end-feel
An empty end-feel occurs when the patient stops the examiner before the true end of range due to severe pain, with no tissue resistance reached — typical of acute inflammation or serious pathology.