NPTE-PT Musculoskeletal System Interventions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with a rotator cuff repair is 8 weeks post-op. Which exercise is most appropriate at this stage?
- Full overhead press with resistance
- Active-assisted shoulder flexion to 90° (Correct answer)
- Passive range of motion only
- Plyometric throwing exercises
Correct answer: Active-assisted shoulder flexion to 90°
At 8 weeks post rotator cuff repair, active-assisted ROM to 90° is typically appropriate as the tendon has sufficient healing to tolerate gentle active movement.
Question 2: Which manual therapy technique is most appropriate for a patient with a stiff glenohumeral joint and limited external rotation?
- Anterior glide of the humeral head
- Posterior glide of the humeral head (Correct answer)
- Inferior glide of the humeral head
- Superior glide of the humeral head
Correct answer: Posterior glide of the humeral head
A posterior glide mobilization of the humeral head is used to improve glenohumeral external rotation based on the convex-concave rule.
Question 3: A patient presents with lateral epicondylalgia. Which intervention has the strongest evidence for long-term outcomes?
- Corticosteroid injection
- Eccentric wrist extensor exercises (Correct answer)
- Ultrasound therapy
- Kinesio taping alone
Correct answer: Eccentric wrist extensor exercises
Eccentric exercise programs targeting the wrist extensors have the strongest long-term evidence for lateral epicondylalgia compared to passive interventions.
Question 4: Which stretching technique is most effective for improving muscle flexibility by using reciprocal inhibition?
- Static stretching held for 30 seconds
- Contract-relax (CR) PNF technique
- Agonist contract (AC) PNF technique (Correct answer)
- Ballistic stretching
Correct answer: Agonist contract (AC) PNF technique
The agonist contract PNF technique uses reciprocal inhibition by contracting the agonist, which neurologically inhibits the antagonist being stretched.
Question 5: A therapist is treating a patient with lumbar spinal stenosis. Which position will most likely relieve the patient's symptoms during exercise?
- Prone extension
- Standing upright
- Lumbar flexion (e.g., seated or supine knee-to-chest) (Correct answer)
- Lumbar rotation
Correct answer: Lumbar flexion (e.g., seated or supine knee-to-chest)
Lumbar flexion increases the spinal canal diameter, relieving neural compression and symptoms in patients with lumbar stenosis.
Question 6: A patient with a grade II MCL sprain of the knee is in week 3 of rehabilitation. Which intervention is MOST appropriate?
- Full weight-bearing gait training with functional activities (Correct answer)
- Non-weight-bearing exercises only
- Immobilization in a cast
- High-impact jumping activities
Correct answer: Full weight-bearing gait training with functional activities
Grade II MCL sprains typically allow full weight-bearing by weeks 2-3, and functional gait training supports ligament remodeling and return to activity.
Question 7: Which intervention is MOST appropriate for a patient with acute cervical radiculopathy at C6?
- Cervical traction in slight flexion (Correct answer)
- Cervical manipulation with high-velocity thrust
- Strengthening of cervical extensors with heavy resistance
- End-range cervical extension exercises
Correct answer: Cervical traction in slight flexion
Cervical traction in slight flexion can open the neural foramina and relieve compression on the C6 nerve root, reducing radicular symptoms.
NPTE-PT Musculoskeletal System Interventions 2
A patient with a rotator cuff repair is 8 weeks post-op.
Which exercise is most appropriate at this stage?