Special Tests for the Foot & Ankle There are a plethora of clinical assessments used to identify a variety of foot and ankle injuries. Research into the diagnostic accuracy of these assessments demonstrate poor agreement and reliability. Combining the patient history, clinical findings & a variety of special tests may provide more confidence in an accurate diagnosis. 1st Ray Mobility 60 Degrees normal Dorsiflexion required Positive if reduced Range of motion Ankle Mobility P

How to assess Tendons The role of a tendon is to transfer force from muscle to bone, it plays an essential role in the elastic recoil to return energy during movement with great efficiency. Anyone who runs, jumps, kicks or throws can be affected by tendon issues. It is not limited to sports and recreation and can also be a work related issue. Almost any tendon can become painful whether it is the Achilles, Patella, Gluteal, High Hamstring, Adductor in the groin or Tennis elbo

Special Tests for the Knee Musculoskeletal knee pain is a significant problem and ‘Special clinical tests’ are often used to provide the diagnosis. A plethora of publications within the literature have investigated the diagnostic accuracy of these assessments, yet despite the wealth of research their diagnostic accuracy remains unclear. Assessments Effusion Grade effusion using a visual 'bulge' sign Grade effusion using a visual return of fluid following a sweep Evidence sug

Special Tests for the Groin Athletic Groin Pain is a common and complex problem which can be caused by numerous anatomical structures. The 'Doha agreement 2015' is a recent consensus for definition's and terminology that will be used for groin pain in athletic populations. Defined clinical entities for groin pain Adductor related-groin pain ​Adductor tenderness AND pain on resisted adduction testing Iliopsoas related-groin pain ​Iliopsoas tenderness and more likely if pain o

SIJ Special Test Cluster Examination of the SIJ is difficult. There are a multitude of clinical test that show limited reliability and validity on their own. A cluster of SIJ provocation tests can be used as a more reliable system to identify the SIJ as a driver for symptoms. The cluster includes SIJ compression, distraction, thigh thrust, sacral thrust and Gaenslen's tests. When 3 of 5 tests are positive it suggests there is a high probability of SIJ pain present. This clust

Special Tests for Hip Assessment Hip Osteoarthritis Femoral Acetabular Impingement FAI Acetabular Labral Tear ALT Chondrolabral Injury Gluteal Tendinopathy The overlap of symptoms and pathomechanics in intra-articular pathologies in conjunction with disease progression makes it difficult to accurately diagnose pathology and or injury. The majority of stand alone clinical hip assessments do not show high sensitivity and or specificity. Research to date varies in quality and

Neurological Assessments Lumbo-Sacral Radiculopathy Lumbo-sacral radiculopathy is a pathologic process involving the nerve roots, which may cause radicular symptoms into a lower extremity. This is typically caused by changes in the tissues surrounding the nerve roots. The nerve root may be compressed by a foraminal stenosis due to a degenerative process, a herniated disc, facet joint

SAPS Assessment SAPS is characterised as unilateral shoulder difficulties that are non-traumatic in origin. SAPS may cause pain locally around the acromion, which is frequently worse during or following lifting of the arm. There are numerous pathologies that are currently classified within SAPS SAPS Pathology Categories Sub Acromial Bursitis Calcific Tendinopathy Supraspinatus Tendinopathy / Tendinos

Cervicogenic Headache orthopaedic assessment special tests