A musculoskeletal exam evaluates muscle and bone function, checking range of motion, strength, and reflexes. It can diagnose conditions early and varies depending on the patient’s needs. The exam involves visual assessment, palpation, and percussion, and further tests may be required for a conclusive diagnosis.
A musculoskeletal exam is the part of a routine physical exam that evaluates the overall function of your muscles and bones. The exam checks the patient’s range of motion, physical strength in different parts of the body, and reflexes. Routine musculoskeletal screenings can help diagnose conditions like multiple sclerosis and arthritis in their early stages.
There are several types of musculoskeletal exams that can be performed, depending on the patient’s needs. A basic screening exam checks the general function of a patient with no current musculoskeletal disorders. If the patient has symptoms of a disorder, a thorough examination of the specific affected region is performed. New patients complaining of multiple and widespread musculoskeletal symptoms typically receive a thorough version of the basic screening exam. Patients being treated for a diagnosed disorder receive periodic exams related to the specific region affected by the diagnosis.
The basic musculoskeletal exam does not require special equipment, although some doctors may use additional tools to make their task easier. A stethoscope can be used to listen for sounds in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), as popping and grating sounds can indicate a TMJ disorder. An instrument called a protractor can be used to measure joint angles.
During a musculoskeletal exam, your doctor begins by visually assessing your joints’ range of motion, both active and passive. The range of motion test measures the patient’s ability to extend, flex, and rotate joints in the arms, legs, hands, feet, and hips. Active range of motion refers to a person’s ability to move their joints without assistance. Passive range of motion refers to range when assisted by another person. The visual examination also looks for signs of redness and swelling around the joints.
Palpation, the part of the musculoskeletal exam in which the doctor examines the patient by touching the muscles and joints with the fingers and thumbs, helps determine whether there are any lumps or unseen lumps. Nodules can indicate the presence of arthritis. Palpation also helps determine if there is pain or tenderness in the joint or surrounding area.
The spine is evaluated using percussion, a method in which the doctor touches parts of the body, either with their hands or with a special instrument. The sounds produced during percussion can give the doctor information about the size of the organ and alert him to the presence of fluid accumulation. The doctor also notes the curvature of the spine and the symmetry of the shoulders.
If abnormalities are found during a musculoskeletal exam, further tests are usually requested to confirm a diagnosis. The exam itself is a useful tool for uncovering potential problems, but it cannot be used by itself to conclusively diagnose conditions. Before a musculoskeletal exam, patients should tell their doctor if they have been experiencing any pain, swelling, or tenderness and if any recent activities may have contributed to those symptoms.
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