Wrist Examination
Wrist Examination - Related Videos
12:21
Wrist and Hand Examination
0 Views •
2015
Source: Robert E. Sallis, MD. Kaiser Permanente, Fontana, California, USA The wrist is a complex joint made up of 8 carpal bones and their numerous articulations and ligaments. Overlying the wrist are the tendons and muscles of the hand and fingers. The hand is made up of 5 metacarpal bones, and the tendons that run to the hand overlie these bones. Finally, the fingers consist of 14 phalanges with their articulations held together by collateral ligaments and volar plates. Common mechanisms of...
07:19
Simulating Fall-Induced Wrist Fractures Using a Cadaveric Human Forearm Specimen
0 Views •
2026
Source:Anthony J. Yosick1,2, Christine Massie1, Emma Knapp2, Hani A. Awad1,2,31Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, US2Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Orthopedics, University of Rochester Medical Center, USA3Department of Orthopedics, University of Rochester Medical Center, USAThe video demonstrates fall-related wrist fractures using human cadaver forearms with varying bone densities. Specimens are standardized by removing upper soft tissue,...
07:44
Ophthalmoscopic Examination
0 Views •
2023
Source: Richard Glickman-Simon, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, MA The simplest ophthalmoscopes consist of an aperture to look through, a diopter indicator, and a disc for selecting lenses. The ophthalmoscope is primarily used to examine the fundus, or the inner wall of the posterior eye, which consists of the choroid, retina, fovea, macula, optic disc, and retinal vessels (Figure 1). The spherical eyeball...
35:03
Mental Status Examination
0 Views •
2023
Source: Carmen Black, Matthew Goldenberg, and Jaideep Talwalkar; Yale School of Medicine The mental status exam is a clinical evaluation of emotional, perceptual, and cognitive functioning that spans both the fields of psychiatry and neurology. Developing skill in the psychiatric portions of the examination are important to describe salient aspects of the patient's mental state that may be observed during routine history and/or physical exam. Proficiency in the cognitive portions of this...
20:06
The Comprehensive Infant Examination
0 Views •
2023
Source: Heather Collette and Jaideep Talwalkar; Yale School of Medicine The newborn exam is important in establishing a baby's baseline health status as they enter the world. Newborn providers have the unique opportunity to evaluate a patient for the very first time. They are also tasked with identifying congenital anomalies that require early intervention to promote a long and healthy life for the child. Many newborn anomalies, such as heart defects, are noted on prenatal ultrasound. However,...
FAQs
Comparing active with passive range of motion helps clarify whether restricted movement is associated with the patient’s own movement capacity or persists when the joint is moved during assessment. The comparison is interpreted alongside pain, strength, and functional impairment rather than in isolation. These combined findings can support differential diagnosis and help determine whether imaging or further testing is warranted.
Targeted maneuvers provide focused information about structures that may contribute to symptoms. Depending on the finding being investigated, they can help assess ligament stability, tendon function, or nerve involvement. Their results should be integrated with inspection, palpation, movement, strength, sensation, and circulation findings, allowing clinicians to refine the differential diagnosis instead of relying on a single maneuver.
Pain, restricted movement, instability, deformity, weakness, sensory changes, impaired circulation, or abnormal tendon function may increase concern for a clinically important problem. The examination does not by itself establish every diagnosis, but the pattern and combination of findings can guide decisions about imaging or other testing. It also provides a baseline for comparing later assessments.
A systematic assessment generally begins with inspection and palpation, followed by active and passive range-of-motion testing. The clinician then evaluates strength, sensation, circulation, and tendon function, adding targeted maneuvers when ligament, tendon, or nerve involvement is suspected. Organizing the examination in this way reduces the chance of overlooking relevant findings and supports consistent clinical documentation.
Documentation should address visible abnormalities and tenderness identified through inspection and palpation, movement during active and passive testing, strength, sensation, circulation, and tendon function. It should also record relevant findings from targeted maneuvers and describe functional impairment when present. This broad record helps connect physical findings with the patient’s symptoms and supports decisions about subsequent evaluation.
The assessment is useful when clinicians evaluate suspected fractures, sprains, tendinopathies, or nerve compression, as well as when they need to investigate pain, instability, deformity, or impaired function. It also helps monitor recovery after injury or treatment by providing comparable findings over time. Examination results can indicate whether ongoing observation is appropriate or whether further testing should be considered.