OT Physical Rehabilitation & Musculoskeletal OT 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of occupational therapy following rotator cuff repair?
- Immediate full range of motion restoration
- Progressive return to functional activities within healing constraints (Correct answer)
- Aggressive strengthening exercises in the first postoperative week
- Full passive range of motion of all shoulder movements immediately
Correct answer: Progressive return to functional activities within healing constraints
After rotator cuff repair, OT focuses on graded return to occupational performance while respecting tissue healing timelines and surgeon protocols.
Question 2: Which splint is MOST appropriate for a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome during conservative management?
- Dynamic finger extension splint
- Ulnar deviation splint
- Wrist cock-up splint in neutral to slight extension (0–10°) (Correct answer)
- Resting hand splint in 30° wrist extension
Correct answer: Wrist cock-up splint in neutral to slight extension (0–10°)
A wrist cock-up splint in neutral to slight extension reduces pressure in the carpal tunnel by keeping the wrist out of flexion, which narrows the tunnel and compresses the median nerve.
Question 3: A patient is 4 weeks post-Colles' fracture. Which intervention is MOST appropriate at this stage?
- Heavy lifting to restore muscle strength
- Resistive grip strengthening
- Full passive range of motion of the wrist
- Active range of motion exercises within pain tolerance (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Active range of motion exercises within pain tolerance
At 4 weeks post-Colles' fracture, the fracture is typically clinically healed enough to begin active ROM; resistive exercises are deferred until approximately 8–10 weeks.
Question 4: Which instrument is the gold standard for measuring grip strength in hand rehabilitation?
- Goniometer
- Jamar dynamometer (Correct answer)
- Pinch gauge
- Semmes-Weinstein monofilament
Correct answer: Jamar dynamometer
The Jamar dynamometer is the gold standard for measuring grip strength due to its reliability and validity across multiple handle positions.
Question 5: For a counterforce brace used in lateral epicondylitis, where is the brace BEST positioned?
- Wrist in full extension with brace over the wrist
- Approximately 2–3 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle over the extensor muscle belly (Correct answer)
- Directly over the lateral epicondyle
- Proximal to the elbow joint on the upper arm
Correct answer: Approximately 2–3 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle over the extensor muscle belly
The counterforce brace is placed over the extensor muscle mass approximately 2–3 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle to distribute tensile force away from the tendon origin.
Question 6: Following Zone II flexor tendon repair, when is RESISTIVE hand activity typically introduced?
- 2–3 weeks post-repair
- 12 weeks post-repair for all activity types
- 1 week post-repair
- 6–8 weeks post-repair (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 6–8 weeks post-repair
Resistive activity is generally introduced at 6–8 weeks after Zone II flexor tendon repair, once adequate tendon tensile strength has been achieved.
Question 7: Which intervention is CONTRAINDICATED during the acute inflammatory phase of a musculoskeletal injury?
- Gentle active range of motion
- Ice application
- Resistive strengthening exercises (Correct answer)
- Elevation of the affected extremity
Correct answer: Resistive strengthening exercises
Resistive strengthening during acute inflammation increases mechanical stress on damaged tissue, prolonging the inflammatory response and risking further injury.
OT Physical Rehabilitation & Musculoskeletal OT 1
What is the primary goal of occupational therapy following rotator cuff repair?