Sign of the buttock test: how to perform and interpret findings
What is the sign of the buttock test? The sign of the buttock test is a red-flag screen used across musculoskeletal and physical therapy practices. Described by orthopedic physician James Cyriax, it detects serious pathology in or behind the hip joint. It works by comparing two passive movements. One is a straight leg raise (SLR). […]
7-color LED light therapy chart: Free PDF template
Download your free 7-color LED light therapy chart template Two printable pages. Page one lists all seven wavelengths with their target concern, mechanism, and session length, next to a pre-treatment screening checklist. Page two gives you a concern-first lookup table and a blank session log. Download template A 7-color LED light therapy chart tells you […]
Passive compression test: Procedure, interpretation and accuracy
SLAP tears are hard to confirm on clinical examination alone. Most shoulder special tests were described before diagnostic accuracy studies were routine, so clinicians inherited a crowded toolkit with thin evidence behind it. The passive compression test is better documented than most of them. It came out of a peer-reviewed study, it carries published sensitivity […]
Squish test: How to perform, interpret, and document findings
What is the squish test and why does it matter in clinical practice? A sacroiliac joint diagnosis depends on including a dedicated pelvic provocation test in the examination sequence. The squish test is one of the fastest tests to add to that sequence. The squish test is a manual pelvic compression provocation test. The clinician […]
Gaze stabilization test: Administration, scoring, and interpretation
What is the gaze stabilization test and why does it matter clinically? Most patients with vestibular dysfunction don’t complain of spinning rooms. They complain that the world blurs when they turn their head, that reading signs is difficult on a moving bus, that crowded spaces feel destabilizing. These are gaze stability failures, and the gaze […]
Reverse Lachman test: Technique, grading, and PCL interpretation
What is the reverse lachman test and when should you use it? The reverse lachman test is the go-to clinical orthopedic test for assessing posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) integrity. Most clinicians who have trained in knee assessment know the standard Lachman test for ACL tears. The reverse variation flips the force direction. Instead of pulling […]
Froment’s sign test: Procedure, grading, and interpretation
Froment’s sign test: Definition and clinical purpose Most clinicians can spot a weak thumb grip. Knowing exactly which nerve is responsible is where the Froment’s sign test earns its place in the musculoskeletal examination. The test isolates adductor pollicis function, the single muscle that tells you whether the deep branch of the ulnar nerve is […]
Feagin test: How to perform, interpret, and document it
Most shoulder instability examinations focus on anterior laxity. The inferior direction gets far less clinical attention. Yet inferior glenohumeral instability is a common finding in overhead athletes, swimmers, and gymnasts, and missing it can delay appropriate rehabilitation by months. Physical therapy EMR software designed for musculoskeletal practices can support structured documentation of these findings, but […]
Piano key test: How to perform and interpret it
Download your free piano key test template A ready-to-use clinical assessment form covering patient positioning, examiner technique, and result interpretation. It includes bilateral comparison, DRUJ stability grading, differential diagnoses, and findings documentation. Download template The piano key test is a physical examination technique used by hand surgeons, physiotherapists, and orthopedic practitioners to assess distal radioulnar […]
Elderly home safety checklist
Download your free elderly home safety checklist A printable room-by-room assessment covering bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and stairway hazards, medication storage, fire safety, outdoor access, and emergency contacts. Use it during a home visit or a family safety conversation. Download template An elderly home safety checklist is a structured tool for finding hazards in an older […]