Diagnosis and physical examination in physical therapy are crucial parts of the patient assessment process. Specifically, examination of the musculoskeletal system is vital, as this system is responsible for the mobility, support, and protection of the body. This chapter, 9.3, focuses on detailing the process of diagnosis and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system in physical therapy.
To begin with, it is important to understand that diagnosis in physiotherapy is an ongoing process that begins from the first interaction with the patient and continues throughout the treatment. This process involves collecting information about the patient's medical history, current symptoms, physical exams, and sometimes additional diagnostic tests. The goal is to identify the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms and plan effective treatment.
Physical examination of the musculoskeletal system begins with visual inspection. The physical therapist will observe the patient's posture, gait, limb alignment, and the presence of any deformities or swelling. This may provide clues about the nature and location of the problem.
The physiotherapist will then perform a palpation examination. This involves using your hands to feel the patient's muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. The physical therapist is looking for areas of tenderness, swelling, heat or stiffness that could indicate an injury or illness.
The range of motion (ROM) exam is another crucial part of the physical exam. The physical therapist will ask the patient to move several joints in different directions and compare the patient's ROM to the normal ROM for that joint. Restrictions in ROM may indicate problems such as arthritis, tendinitis, or muscle injury.
Muscle strength tests are also performed to assess muscle function. The physical therapist will ask the patient to resist pressure in several directions while he or she assesses muscle strength. Muscle weakness can be a sign of several conditions, including muscle injuries, neuromuscular diseases, and conditions that affect nerve function.
The physical therapist may also perform special tests to evaluate the function of certain joints or to identify specific conditions. For example, the Lachman test can be used to assess the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, while the Neer test can be used to identify shoulder impingement syndrome.
Finally, the physical therapist may order additional diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound, to confirm a diagnosis or to obtain more information about the patient's condition.
In summary, physical therapy diagnosis and examination are detailed, comprehensive processes that provide vital information about the patient's condition. Examination of the musculoskeletal system, in particular, is critical to identifying the cause of the patient's symptoms and planning effective treatment. This chapter has provided an overview of these processes, but it is important to remember that each patient is unique and that the diagnostic and physical examination process must be tailored to meet each patient's individual needs.
