Focus on Clinical Skills
Musculoskeletal Physical Exam Checklist
Shoulder
Examiner
Patient
Evaluator
______________________
______________________
______________________
Inspection
Ask examinee to list what they are looking for in their inspection.
Listed
Not listed
____
____
Symmetry
____
____
Atrophy
____
____
Erythema/Ecchymosis
Palpation
Ask examinee to palpate the following areas:
Performed
Not performed
____
____
AC joint
____
____
Subacromial bursa
____
____
Coracoid process
Range of Motion
Ask examinee to assess ROM:
Performed
Not performed
____
____
Adduction
____
____
Abduction
____
____
Internal Rotation
____
____
External Rotation
Strength
Ask examinee to assess strength:
Performed
Not performed
____
____
Deltoid
____
____
Biceps
____
____
Rotator Cuff
Special Tests
Ask examinee to perform the following tests:
Performed
Not performed
____
____
Neer’s sign – arm is forward flexed in internal rotation,
stabilize the scapula and lift the patient’s arm.
____
____
Hawkins – abduct the shoulder to 90o, bend the elbow, then
internally rotate the shoulder
____
____
Apprehension test – arm is abducted 900, elbow flexed to 90o,
elbow rotated to maximal external rotation
Knee
Examiner
Patient
Evaluator
______________________
______________________
______________________
Inspection
Ask examinee what they are looking for in their inspection
Listed
Not listed
____
_____
Swelling
____
_____
Erythema/Ecchymosis
Palpation
Ask examinee to palpate the following:
Performed
Not performed
_____
_____
Effusion?
_____
_____
Joint Line
_____
_____
Patella and patellar tendon
_____
_____
Tibial tuberosity
Range of Motion
Ask examinee to assess ROM:
Performed
Not performed
_____
_____
Flexion
_____
_____
Extension
Strength
Ask examinee to assess for strength:
Performed
Not performed
_____
_____
Quadriceps
_____
_____
Hamstrings
Special Tests
Ask examinee to perform the following tests:
Performed
Not performed
_____
_____
Lachman - knee is flexed to 20-30o, one hand stabilizes
femur and the other pulls forward on the proximal tibia.
_____
_____
McMurray’s – bring the knee from full flexion to full
extension by combining external rotation and valgus
stress with one hand cupping the heel and the other over
the lateral joint line. Repeat in the opposite direction.
_____
_____
Valgus/Varus stress
Ankle and Foot
Examiner
Patient
Evaluator
______________________
______________________
_______________________
Inspection
Ask examinee what they are looking for in their inspection
Listed
Not listed
_____
_____
Erythema/Ecchymosis
_____
_____
Swelling
_____
_____
Pes planus
Palpation
Ask examinee to palpate the following:
Performed
Not performed
_____
______
Medial and lateral malleoli
_____
______
Achilles tendon
_____
______
Plantar fascia
Range of Motion
Ask examinee to assess ROM:
Performed
Not performed
_____
______
_____
______
_____
______
_____
______
Dorsiflexion
Plantar flexion
Supination/Pronation
Heel inversion and eversion
Strength
Ask examinee to assess the following:
Performed
Not performed
_____
______
Dorsiflexion
_____
______
Plantar flexion
_____
______
Supination/Pronation
Special Tests
Ask examinee to perform the following tests:
Performed
Not performed
_____
______
Talar tilt – stabilize the lower leg with one hand, grasp the
foot at the talus and apply a varus stress (toward the
midline)
_____
______
Anterior drawer test – with the foot plantar flexed,
stabilize the lower leg with one hand, grasp the calcaneus
and pull towards you