What is a Homan’s Sign? The Homan’s sign test, also known as the dorsiflexion sign test, is a physical examination procedure that is used to test for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A deep vein thrombus, or DVT, develops most frequently in the leg. It is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications, such…
What is a Piano Key Test? The piano key Test is a physical examination test used to assess the stability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) and the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) of the wrist. It is a simple test that can be performed in the office setting. Purpose This test is used to examine…
What is a Functional Movement Screen (FMS)? The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a widely recognized and systematic approach used by fitness professionals, physical therapists, and sports trainers to assess an individual’s fundamental movement patterns and identify any limitations or dysfunctions in their movement. Developed by Gray Cook and Lee Burton, the FMS aims to…
What is a Y Balance Test? The Y Balance Test is a functional assessment tool used in the fields of sports medicine, physical therapy, and fitness to evaluate an individual’s balance, strength, and neuromuscular control. This test is designed to assess the stability and coordination of the lower extremities, particularly the legs and ankles. It…
What is a Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT)? The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a dynamic balance test that measures the ability of an individual to reach out and touch a target with one foot while balancing on the other foot. The test is performed on a grid with eight lines radiating from a…
The Valsalva maneuver is a physiological response that occurs when a person attempts to exhale forcefully while keeping the mouth and nose closed, creating a closed airway. This maneuver is named after Antonio Maria Valsalva, an Italian anatomist and physician who described it in the 18th century. What is the Valsalva maneuver? The Valsalva maneuver…
What is a Hoffa’s Test? Hoffa’s Test, also known as Patellar Fat Pad Impingement Test or Hoffa’s Sign, is a physical examination test used by healthcare professionals, particularly in orthopedics, to assess for potential issues in the infrapatellar fat pad, which is a fatty tissue located just below the kneecap (patella). This test is often…
What is a BERA Test? The BERA (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test is a diagnostic procedure used to assess the auditory function of an individual’s nervous system, specifically the brainstem and the auditory pathways. This non-invasive test is commonly employed to evaluate hearing disorders, especially in infants, young children, and individuals who cannot provide reliable…
What is a Buerger’s test? Buerger’s test, also known as the Buerger’s maneuver, is indeed used to assess arterial sufficiency in the lower extremities, particularly in the legs. It is named after Dr. Leo Buerger, a physician who first described the condition now known as thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger’s disease) in 1908. Buerger’s disease is a…
What is a Tripod Sign? The Tripod Sign, in the orthopedic context, is a test used to assess the length of the hamstring muscles. The hamstrings are a group of muscles located at the back of the thigh, and tight or shortened hamstrings can contribute to various musculoskeletal issues and postural imbalances. Positioning: A treatment…
