Position/Activity | Observation |
---|---|
Gait | Symmetry, smoothness of movement (legs, arm swing, pelvic tilting) |
Normal stride length | |
Normal heel strike, stance, toe off, swing through | |
Ability to turn quickly | |
Spine | Â |
Inspection from behind | Straight spine (no scoliosis) |
Normal, symmetrical paraspinal muscles | |
Normal shoulder and gluteal muscle bulk/symmetry | |
Level iliac crests | |
No popliteal swelling | |
No hindfoot swelling/deformity | |
Inspection from the side | Normal cervical and lumbar lordosis |
Normal (mild) thoracic kyphosis | |
Inspection from in front | Â |
‘Head on shoulders’ | Normal cervical lateral flexion |
‘Touch toes’ | Normal lumbar spine (and hip) flexion |
Palpation from behind | Â |
Press over the midpoint of each supraspinatus | Note any tenderness |
Arms | Â |
‘Arms behind head’ | Normal glenohumeral, sternoclavicular, and acromioclavicular joint movement |
‘Arms straight’ | Full elbow extension |
‘Hands in front’ | No wrist/finger swelling or deformity |
Ability to fully extend fingers | |
‘Turn hands over’ | Normal supination/pronation (superior and inferior radioulnar joints) |
Normal palms (no swelling, muscle wasting, erythema) | |
‘Make a fist’ | Normal power grip |
‘Fingers on thumb’ | Normal fine precision pinch/dexterity |
Squeeze across second to fifth metacarpals | Note any tenderness |
Legs | Normal quadriceps bulk/symmetry |
No knee swelling or deformity (varus/valgus) | |
No forefoot/midfoot deformity | |
Normal arches | |
Flex each hip and knee while holding the knee | Confirm full knee flexion with no crepitus |
Passively internally rotate each hip in flexion | No pain or restriction |
Press on each patella | Note tenderness or effusion |
Squeeze across the metatarsals | Note tenderness |
Inspect the soles | Note any callosities, reflecting abnormal weight bearing |