Objective examination

• Neuro-musculoskeletal examination - Objective examination methods:

  • Testing of structures
  • Based on subjective examination findings
• Objective examination - aims

  • Confirm/disprove hypothesis
  • Establish baseline data for re-assessment & evaluation
  • Contraindications/precautions
  • Make clinical diagnosis
  • Identify problems & goals for management
• Planning the objective examination

  • Must/should/could examine as cause of symptoms
  • Joints in the symptomatic area
  • Soft tissue in the symptomatic area
  • Joints, soft tissue, nerve that refers into symptomatic area
  • Structures that could be affected – e.g. neural integrity
• SIN (severity, irritability and nature) factors- the relevance

  • Effect of pain on patient
  • The kind of examination required
  • Testing to onset of pain
  • Testing into pain
  • Testing to limit of available range