An orthopedic examination is a comprehensive assessment performed by a healthcare professional, typically an orthopedic specialist or a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, to evaluate the condition of the musculoskeletal system. The examination aims to identify any abnormalities, injuries, or conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
The most common problems that patients report to the doctor and that require orthopedic examination are bone fractures, dislocations or sprains of joints, injuries of ligaments and muscles, various sports injuries, as well as degenerative changes of large joints and various deformities.
Goals of orthopedic examination
Diagnosis
The primary purpose of an orthopedic examination is to help diagnose musculoskeletal conditions or injuries. Through a comprehensive assessment, healthcare professionals can identify the underlying cause of the symptoms. This helps formulate an accurate diagnosis, which is essential for creating an adequate treatment plan.
Treatment planning
Orthopedic examinations provide valuable information that guides treatment decisions. By assessing range of motion, strength, stability, and other factors, healthcare professionals can determine the most appropriate treatment options. This may include conservative approaches such as physical therapy, medication or immobilization, as well as surgical interventions when necessary. The conclusions of the examination help to adapt the treatment plan to the specific needs of the patient.
Progress tracking
Orthopedic examinations are also carried out to monitor the progress of the patient’s condition or recovery. By conducting regular check-ups, healthcare professionals can assess how the patient responds to treatment, identify any changes or complications, and make the necessary adjustments to the treatment plan if necessary. This ongoing evaluation helps to ensure optimal outcomes and a successful recovery.
Prevention and risk assessment of injuries
Orthopedic examinations are not only used to diagnose and treat existing conditions, but also play a role in injury prevention and risk assessment of future musculoskeletal problems. Through a comprehensive examination, healthcare professionals can identify weakness or imbalance of body parts, as well as potential structural abnormalities that may be predisposed to disorders or injuries to those regions. This information enables targeted interventions such as strength training, flexibility exercises or modifications to activities or sports to reduce the risk of injury.
Symptoms that require an orthopedic examination
There are a number of symptoms that may require an orthopedic examination. Although this is not a complete list, these are some of the common symptoms that require an orthopedist examination:
- Pain: Persistent or severe pain in muscles, bones, joints or soft tissues, such as tendons and ligaments.
- Swelling: Swelling or inflammation in the area of the joint or any other area of the musculoskeletal system.
- Limited range of motion: Difficulty or inability to move a joint or part of the body through its full range of motion.
- Joint instability: Recurrent or chronic joint instability, where the joint feels loose, loosening, or causing frequent episodes of joint dislocation or subluxation.
- Weakness: Noticeable weakness or loss of strength in a particular muscle group or area.
- Deformity: Visible deformity or asymmetry of the limb, joint or part of the body.
- Stiffness: Persistent stiffness or rigidity in the joint or muscles, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
- Numbness or burning sensation: A feeling of numbness, burning or pricking in the extremities, often indicate nerve involvement, and therefore likely to require a neurological examination.
- Trauma: Various injuries, such as fractures, dislocations, sprains or sprains.
- Difficulty walking: Problems with gait, balance or coordination while walking, leading to difficulty in moving.
- Changes in function: A significant decrease in the ability to perform daily activities or certain movements when playing sports.
- Chronic conditions: Worsening symptoms or complications of chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis or sciatica.
It is important to note that the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that there is a disorder or injury. However, if any of these symptoms persist or worsen, and significantly affect the quality of life, an orthopedic examination is recommended for comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Orthopedic examination procedure
Anamnesis
The doctor begins by talking about the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and any previous injuries or conditions that may be relevant to current ailments.
Visual inspection
The doctor visually assesses whether there are visible signs of deformity, swelling, redness or asymmetry.
Gesture range estimation
The doctor uses a special device (goniometer) to measure the patient’s ability to move the joints through his full range of motion, thereby determining potential limitations, pain during movement or abnormalities.
Palpation
The doctor puts pressure on certain areas with his hands, determines whether there is sensitivity, swelling or any abnormality.
Checking muscle strength
The doctor tests the strength of different muscle groups by asking the patient to perform certain movements, with and without the application of resistance. This examination assesses muscle function and identifies possible weakness.
Neurological examination
If necessary, in case of symptoms of neurological outbursts, the neurologist can approximately evaluate nerve function by checking reflexes, sensations and muscle coordination.
Imaging
If necessary, the doctor can refer the patient to one of the imaging diagnostic methods, such as X-ray, CT scanner, MRI or ultrasound, in order to obtain a more detailed examination of the affected area and confirm the diagnosis.
Based on the findings of the entire examination and all diagnostic tests, the doctor will make a diagnosis and discuss with the patient about appropriate treatment options. Therapy may include medication, physical therapy, immobilization, surgery, or a combination of therapies.
It is worth noting that the specific components of the orthopedic examination may differ depending on the patient’s condition, the preferences of the doctor and the available resources.
Body parts that are being examined
During the orthopedic examination, the doctor assesses the range of motion, symmetry, strength, stability and detects possible deformities or injuries in different parts of the body, depending on the present problems and symptoms:
Spine: The doctor assesses the range of motion, symmetry and any signs of deformity or sensitivity in the cervical, thoracic (middle back) and lumbar (lower back) spine. During the examination, the doctor can also check for signs of nerve compression or instability of the spine.
Upper extremities: This includes an examination of the shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists and hands. Some of the common conditions diagnosed include rotator cuff shoulder rupture, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fractures.
Lower extremities: This involves examining the hips, legs, knees, ankles and feet. Examples of lower limb condition diagnosed are fractures, meniscus injuries, hip arthritis, knee ligament injuries (such as anterior cruciate ligament – ACL), ankle sprain and plantar fasciitis.
Joints: In addition to the large hip, knee, elbow joints, and hock and wrist joints, other joints such as the temporomandibular joint (jaw), sternoclavicular ankle (between the collarbone and the sternum), acromioclavicular joint (shoulder) and sacroiliac joint (between the pelvis and sacrum) can be examined as needed.
Gait assessment: The doctor observes the pattern of the patient’s walk and assesses his posture, balance and coordination during walking. This helps identify abnormalities or problems with the musculoskeletal system that affect the patient’s mobility. It is important to note that the examination will be tailored to the individual symptoms and ailments of the patient, and the doctor will focus on the regions that are relevant to the given condition.
Why are regular orthopedic examinations important?
Regular orthopedic examinations play a key role in maintaining bone and joint health for several reasons:
- Regular orthopedic examinations can help identify potential problems with bones, joints, muscles and other structures early on. Early detection of the problem allows for quick intervention and treatment, which can prevent the progression of the condition or injury.
- Orthopedic examinations provide an opportunity to assess the risk factors that can contribute to bone and joint problems. An orthopedist can identify factors such as poor posture, muscle imbalance, or improper body mechanics, which can increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal problems. By identifying these factors, preventive measures such as exercise programs, ergonomic modifications or lifestyle adjustments can be recommended to maintain optimal bone and joint health.
- Regular orthopedic examinations are especially important for people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis or osteoporosis. These examinations are used to monitor the progression of the condition and assess the effectiveness of treatment. Regular monitoring allows doctors to intervene early in case of exacerbation or occurrence of complications of the disease..
- Orthopedic examinations provide an opportunity for doctors to give patients guidance for maintaining bone and joint health. This includes counseling on proper nutrition, weight reduction, various exercises and injury prevention strategies. By adopting a proactive approach to bone and joint health, patients can reduce the risk of developing certain conditions and maintain overall musculoskeletal well-being.
- For patients recovering from bone fractures, joint surgeries, or musculoskeletal injuries, regular orthopedic examinations are crucial. These examinations help monitor rehabilitation progress, ensure proper healing, and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Regular check-ups allow doctors to lead the rehabilitation process, provide adequate rehabilitation exercises and monitor the restoration of function and mobility.
- Good health of bones and joints is essential to maintain an active and independent lifestyle. Regular orthopedic examinations contribute to general well-being by promoting mobility, reducing pain and optimizing functional abilities. By timely solving any musculoskeletal problems, patients can maintain an optimal quality of life.
In short, regular orthopedic examinations are important for maintaining bone and joint health because they facilitate early detection of problems, allow preventive measures and monitoring of chronic conditions, help with rehabilitation and recovery, and contribute to general well-being. By proactively taking care of bone and joint health, individuals can enjoy better mobility, reduced pain, and generally a better quality of life.
