Evaluation Process MS. Bowman

Evaluation Process  Many evaluation models  The model you use should be systematic and follow a logical process

Evaluation Model  H-history  I/O-inspection/observation  P-palpation  S-special tests

History  Most important part of the evaluation process  Rest of the eval is used to confirm findings from history  Open-ended questions should be used instead of simple yes and no questions  What happened?  Where is the pain?  How long have you had the issue?  Have you injured this body part before?  How did it feel when you were injured?  Change in symptoms  Description of symptoms

Inspection/Observation  Provides reference for symmetry, muscle tone, structure, etc  Observe gait and the way the patient is carrying/holding his body  Look for:  Swelling  Deformity  Color  Texture  Muscle tone  Bilateral differences

Palpation  Process of touching/feeling the tissues  Pay attention to landmarks  Look for  Point tenderness  Trigger points  Change in tissue density  Crepitus  Symmetry  Tissue temperature

Special Tests  These include  Range of motion tests  Ligamentous tests’  Specific special tests  Neurological tests

Range of Motion Tests  Assessment of patient’s ability to move through the range of motion allowed at joint  Perfomed:  Actively-patient moves his/herself  Passively-clinician moves limb through ROM  Resisted-clinician applies resistance while patient moves limb  Break test  Make Test

Ligamentous Tests  Evaluate the structural integrity of the ligaments of a joint  Tests how much “give” a joint has  End-Feels  Firm-slight stretching of the ligament, but there is a definite stopping point  Soft-increased “openness” of joint when compared to contralateral side  Empty-joint completely opens up; no end feel present

Specific Special Tests  Specific procedures applied to a joint to determine the presence of a specific injury  Must be performed precisely and bilaterally so a comparison can be made

Neurological Tests  Screen of motor and sensory function as well as reflexes  Used to identify nerve root impingement, peripheral nerve damage, CNS trauma, or disease