EXAMINATION OF THE
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
Dr Prince Wokekoro
The musculoskeletal system (locomotor system) is
an organ system which enables the body (an
organism) to move, support itself, maintain stability
during locomotion as well as maintain its shape
It is subdivided into two broad systems:
Skeletal system
Muscular system
Functions of the MSS
Provides
Shape /form
Stability
Support .
Movement
Skeletal system
 Main component is the bone.
 Axial
 Appendicular
 Axial skeleton
 Includes the bones along the long axis of the body.
 The axial skeleton consists of the
 Vertebral column
 Bones of the head and
 Bones of the thoracic cage .
 Appendicular skeleton
 Includes the bones of the shoulder and pelvic girdle
 Bones of the upper and lower extremities
Skeletal system
Bones articulate with each other to form the joints
The integrity and function of the bones and joints is
supported by the accessory structures of the
skeletal system;
Articular cartilage
Ligaments
Joint capsule
Bursae
Skeletal system
Bones:
Mechanical basis for movements
Providing framework for the body
Vital organs protection
Blood cells production
Storage of minerals
Skeletal system
The skeletal system plays an important role in other
homeostatic functions such as
Storage of minerals e.g. calcium,phosphate and
Hematopoiesis
Muscular system
Includes all types of muscles in the body.
Skeletal muscles, in particular, are the ones that act
on the body joints to produce movements.
Tendons attach the muscles to the bones.
Stores the majority of the body's carbohydrates in
the form of glycogen.
Muscles:
Movement production
Joint stabilization
Maintaining posture
Body heat production
Clinical correlation
• A variety of conditions can
affect the muscles,bones
and joints
• They can be:
 Degenerative
 Metabolic
 Congenital
 Neurologic
 Traumatic
 Infective
 Autoimmune
 Nutritional
 Malignant
 vascular
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Primary symptoms of the musculoskeletal disease
include
Pain
Stiffness
Swelling
Limited range of motion,
Weakness
Fatigue and
Decreased physical function.
Diseases involving MSS
Muscular
• Muscle Dystrophy
• Muscle atrophy
• Myasthenia gravis
• Sarcopenia
• Lupus erythematosus
• Pyomyositis
Skeletal
• Arthritis:
 Osteoarthritis
 Rheumatoid arthritis
• Rotator cuff tear
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Osteomalacia/osteoporosis
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Osteomyelitis
Examination of MSS
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Site of lesion
Size and extent of involvement of lesion
Nature of lesion
Movement of joint
Loss of function
Any swelling ?
Any tenderness ?
Correlate disorder of MSS with the clinical picture
Examination of the locomotor system
Same Clinical Assessment Format or sequence
applies,ie
Inspection
Palpation
GALS-Brief and sensitive in detecting locomotor
disorders that may lead to disability.
Gait
Arms
Legs
Spine
Examination of the locomotor system
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Check for swelling, deformities,limb shortening
Inspect for ulcers or any lesion
Any muscle wasting ?
Check for movements across joints,note if there is
crepitus
• Palpate for warmth and tenderness
Further Reading
• https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/themusculoskeletal-system
• Overview of the Musculoskeletal System. (2020, August
14). https://med.libretexts.org/@go/page/7455
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-musculoskeletalsystem-what-is-it-189651
• Hutchison’s Clinical method