Physical Therapy Fundamentals

100 flashcards by MentisLibrary

The foundations of physical therapy practice: planes and kinesiology, examination and outcome measures, gait and mobility, therapeutic exercise, modalities, and the musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiopulmonary caseload.

What are the three cardinal planes of motion?
Sagittal, frontal and transverse, each with a perpendicular axis: the frontal, sagittal and vertical axis respectively.
In which plane and about which axis does shoulder abduction occur?
The frontal plane, about an anteroposterior (sagittal) axis running front to back through the joint.
Osteokinematics versus arthrokinematics
Osteokinematics is the gross motion of bones through a plane, such as knee flexion. Arthrokinematics is the accessory motion of the joint surfaces themselves: roll, glide and spin.
State the convex-concave rule.
If a convex surface moves on a fixed concave surface, roll and glide occur in opposite directions. If a concave surface moves on a fixed convex surface, roll and glide occur in the same direction.
What is a close packed joint position?
The position of maximum congruency between joint surfaces, with the capsule and ligaments taut and the least joint play available.
What is a capsular pattern?
A characteristic proportional limitation of passive range that appears when the whole joint capsule is involved, unique to each joint.
Concentric, eccentric and isometric contraction
Concentric shortens the muscle while it produces force, eccentric lengthens it under load, and isometric produces force with no change in joint angle.
Which type of contraction produces the greatest force?
Eccentric, followed by isometric, then concentric, for the same muscle at the same length.
What class of lever is most common in the human body?
Third class, in which the effort is applied between the fulcrum and the load.
What is scapulohumeral rhythm?
The coordinated contribution of glenohumeral and scapulothoracic motion to arm elevation, classically described as an overall ratio of about 2 to 1.
What is a force couple? Give a shoulder example.
Two or more muscles pulling in different directions to produce a single rotation. Upward rotation of the scapula is produced by the upper trapezius, lower trapezius and serratus anterior together.
Open versus closed kinetic chain exercise
In an open chain the distal segment moves freely, as in a seated knee extension. In a closed chain the distal segment is fixed against resistance, as in a squat.
What does the length-tension relationship describe?
The way a muscle's active force output varies with its length, peaking near its resting length where actin and myosin overlap is optimal.
What are the components of a SOAP note?
Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan.
How is a goniometer aligned?
The fulcrum over the joint axis, the stationary arm along the proximal segment landmark, and the moving arm along the distal segment landmark.
What is the commonly cited normal range for shoulder flexion?
Roughly 0 to 180 degrees by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reference values.
What are the six manual muscle testing grades?
0 no contraction, 1 trace contraction without motion, 2 full range with gravity eliminated, 3 full range against gravity, 4 full range against moderate resistance, 5 full range against maximal resistance.
Name the normal end-feels and what each one means.
Soft, from tissue approximation as in elbow flexion. Firm, from capsular or ligamentous stretch as in shoulder lateral rotation. Hard, from bone contacting bone as in elbow extension.
Which special test is most sensitive for an anterior cruciate ligament tear?
The Lachman test, performed with the knee at about 20 to 30 degrees of flexion.
What does the McMurray test assess?
Meniscal tears, by combining knee flexion and extension with tibial rotation and a valgus or varus stress.
Which tests screen for subacromial pain and what is their limitation?
The Neer and Hawkins-Kennedy tests. Both provoke the subacromial structures, and both are sensitive but not specific.
What does the empty can (Jobe) test target?
The supraspinatus, tested with the arm in the scapular plane at about 90 degrees, internally rotated, against downward resistance.
What is the Trendelenburg sign?
A drop of the pelvis on the unsupported side during single limb stance, indicating weakness of the hip abductors on the stance leg.
What does the Thomas test measure?
Hip flexor length, chiefly the iliopsoas, with the position of the knee distinguishing rectus femoris involvement.
What is the Ober test used for?
To assess tightness of the tensor fasciae latae and iliotibial band.
Why is the Homans sign not used to rule out deep vein thrombosis?
Its sensitivity and specificity are both poor, so neither a positive nor a negative result meaningfully changes the probability of a clot.
What does the Timed Up and Go test measure?
Functional mobility, timed as the patient rises from a chair, walks 3 meters, turns, walks back and sits down.
Describe the Berg Balance Scale.
A 14 item performance test of static and dynamic balance, each item scored 0 to 4, for a maximum of 56 points.
What does the six minute walk test measure?
Submaximal functional exercise capacity, recorded as the distance walked in six minutes on a level course.
Reliability versus validity in a clinical measure
Reliability is the consistency of a measure across repeats or raters. Validity is whether it measures what it claims to measure.