University of Scranton - Department of Physical Therapy
Edmund M. Kosmahl, PT, EdD
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PT351 ORTHOPAEDIC PT
EVALUATION
Definitions from the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice, Phys Ther,
77(11), Nov.1997.
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Evaluation is a dynamic process in which the physical therapist
makes clinical judgments based on data gathered during the examination.
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Examination is the process of obtaining a history, performing relevant
systems reviews, and selecting and administering specific tests and measures
to obtain data.
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Diagnosis is both the process and the end result of evaluating
informationobtained from the examination, which the physical therapist
then organizesinto defined clusters, syndromes, or categories to help
determine the most appropriate intervention strategies.
PT Evaluation and PT diagnosis are intertwined processes. They
happen simultaneously. For this course, we will use the following
(somewhat arbitrary) evaluation outline:
EVALUATION OUTLINE
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History
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Observation
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Quarter Screening Examination
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Appropriate Examinations
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X-ray studies
For this course, start reading about evaluation at the
Principles of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
page.
There are many types of examinations that the orthopaedic physical
therapist performs. Perhaps the most important examination component
is the Selective
Tissue Tension examination.
Beyond the definition stated above, physical
therapy diagnosis is important to identify problems that are beyond
the scope of physical therapy practice.
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