How To: Perform a musculoskeletal exam on a patient

Perform a musculoskeletal exam on a patient


General: Preparation, Inspection, Palpation:
* Patient in gown or loosely dressed
* ALWAYS begin each joint exam with inspection for asymmetry, deformity, atrophy
* ALWAYS compare each joint and muscle group bilaterally
* Palpate each joint and muscle group in sequence
* Isolate each axis when testing ROM
* Identify 6 cardinal signs of musculoskeletal disease: pain, redness, swelling, warmth, deformity, loss of function

* Palpate over each spinous process and paraspinous muscle groups
* Measure ROM in 6 axes

* Palpate: clavicle; A/C joint; corocoid process; scapula; glenohumeral joint; long head of biceps
* Measure ROM in 6 axes (active and passive): abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation

* Palpate: medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus, the olecranon, the grooves between the epicondyles and the olecranon
* Assese range of motion for flexion, extension, supination and pronation

Wrist and Hand:
* Palpate interphalangeal joints
* Perform ROM (active and passive) of wrist, thumb, and fingers; isolating each axis of motion
* Thumb abduction and opposition

Go to OPETA for the rest of the written instructions, including the back, hip, knee, ankle, foot, and strength testing against resistance, along with all of the special considerations.


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