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Orthopedic Special Tests & Differential Diagnosis Flashcards

7 cards from real CMT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Orthopedic Special Tests & Differential Diagnosis flashcards as text

  1. A positive Thomas test, in which the tested leg rises off the table when the contralateral hip is fully flexed, indicates tightness of the:

    Answer: Hip flexors

    The Thomas test eliminates lumbar lordosis; if the tested leg lifts off the table, the hip flexors (primarily iliopsoas and rectus femoris) are too tight to allow full hip extension.

  2. The McMurray test is designed to assess pathology of the:

    Answer: Knee menisci

    McMurray's test uses tibial rotation combined with knee flexion and extension to reproduce a click or pain arising from a torn meniscus between the femoral condyle and tibial plateau.

  3. A positive anterior drawer test at the ankle, in which the talus translates anteriorly in the mortise, indicates laxity of the:

    Answer: Anterior talofibular ligament

    The anterior drawer test stresses the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), the most commonly injured lateral ankle ligament, by translating the talus forward in the mortise.

  4. Ober's test, performed in sidelying with the hip extended and then adducted, evaluates tightness of the:

    Answer: Iliotibial band and tensor fasciae latae

    Ober's test assesses IT band and TFL tightness; inability of the leg to adduct and drop to the table indicates restricted lateral thigh soft tissue extensibility.

  5. During a Trendelenburg test, the contralateral pelvis drops when the patient stands on one leg. This finding indicates weakness of the:

    Answer: Ipsilateral hip abductors (gluteus medius)

    When the contralateral pelvis drops during single-leg stance, the ipsilateral hip abductors (gluteus medius) are too weak to maintain a level pelvis on the weight-bearing side.

  6. The Lachman test is considered the most sensitive clinical examination for:

    Answer: Anterior cruciate ligament tears

    Performed at 20-30° of knee flexion, the Lachman test relaxes the hamstrings and maximizes anterior tibial translation, giving it the highest sensitivity for ACL tears among manual tests.

  7. A positive FABER (Patrick's) test that reproduces posterior hip or buttock pain most likely indicates pathology of the:

    Answer: Hip joint or sacroiliac joint

    FABER (Flexion, ABduction, External Rotation) simultaneously stresses both the hip joint and sacroiliac joint; pain reproduction in either location implicates pathology at that site.