Orthopedic Assessment & Diagnosis Flashcards

A patient presents with lateral elbow pain that worsens with resisted wrist extension and gripping. Which provocative test is MOST specific for lateral epicondylalgia?

Answer: Cozen's test

Cozen's test (resisted wrist extension with elbow extended) provokes pain at the lateral epicondyle and is highly specific for lateral epicondylalgia.

During a lumbar spine assessment, a patient has a positive slump test that is relieved by cervical extension. What does this finding indicate?

Answer: Neural tissue mechanosensitivity

Relief of symptoms with cervical extension during the slump test confirms neural tissue mechanosensitivity, implicating the neuromeningeal structures.

Which special test assesses the integrity of the transverse carpal ligament and median nerve compression at the wrist?

Answer: Phalen's test

Phalen's test (sustained wrist flexion) increases carpal tunnel pressure and reproduces median nerve symptoms in carpal tunnel syndrome.

A 55-year-old presents with insidious onset of shoulder pain and progressive loss of glenohumeral motion equally in all planes. The MOST likely diagnosis is:

Answer: Adhesive capsulitis

Global loss of glenohumeral motion (capsular pattern: ER > ABD > IR) in a progressive insidious presentation is pathognomonic for adhesive capsulitis.

When assessing for a posterior cruciate ligament tear, the clinician should perform which test?

Answer: Posterior drawer test

The posterior drawer test evaluates posterior tibial translation and is the primary clinical test for posterior cruciate ligament integrity.

A patient exhibits a Trendelenburg gait pattern during single-leg stance on the right. Which structure is MOST likely dysfunctional?

Answer: Right hip abductors

A Trendelenburg sign occurs ipsilaterally when the stance-side hip abductors (right) are weak, causing the pelvis to drop on the contralateral side.

Which of the following best describes the McKenzie classification of 'derangement syndrome' in lumbar assessment?

Answer: Pain that centralizes with repeated movements in one direction

Derangement syndrome is characterized by centralization of symptoms with repeated end-range loading in a specific direction, guiding directional preference treatment.