Musculoskeletal Regional Write-Up Reference II. Physical Examination Inspection: Note the size & contour of every joint. Inspect skin & tissues over the joints for color, swelling, & any masses or deformity. Presence of swelling is significant & signals...
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Musculoskeletal Regional Write-Up Reference II. Physical Examination Inspection: Note the size & contour of every joint. Inspect skin & tissues over the joints for color, swelling, & any masses or deformity. Presence of swelling is significant & signals joint irritation. Use the contralateral side for comparison. **Swelling may be excess joint fluid (i.e., effusion usually d/t inflammation), thickening of the synovial lining, inflammation of surrounding soft tissue (bursae, tendons), or bony enlargement. **Deformities include fracture (a break in a bone), dislocation (complete loss of contact between the two bones in a joint), subluxation (two bones in a joint stay in contact, but their alignment is off), contracture (shortening of a muscle leading to limited ROM of joint), or ankylosis (stiffness or fixation of a joint). Palpation: Palpate each joint, including its skin for temperature, its muscles, bony articulations, & area of joint capsule. Abnormalities include noticeable he
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