DHA Physiotherapist flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Oxford muscle grading

Six-point scale from 0 (no contraction) to 5 (normal against maximal resistance); grade 3 achieves full antigravity range without added resistance.

Capsular pattern

Characteristic proportional restriction of passive range in a whole-joint disorder, such as shoulder external rotation being most limited in adhesive capsulitis.

Dermatome testing

Sensory examination mapped to spinal nerve root skin territories; reduced light touch or pinprick suggests radiculopathy at the corresponding level.

Reflex grading scale

Graded 0 to 4+, where 2+ is normal, 0 is absent, and sustained clonus with hyperreflexia suggests upper motor neuron pathology.

Ottawa ankle rules

Imaging indicated after ankle injury when there is malleolar bone tenderness or inability to bear weight for four steps immediately and in clinic.

Cauda equina red flags

Saddle anaesthesia, new bladder or bowel dysfunction, and bilateral leg weakness require emergency medical referral for suspected cauda equina syndrome.

Lachman test

Anterior cruciate ligament test performed with the knee slightly flexed; anterior tibial translation with a soft endpoint indicates ligament rupture.

Tissue healing phases

Inflammation in the first week, proliferation to about six weeks, then remodelling for months; loading is progressed to match the current phase.

Centralization phenomenon

Migration of referred spinal pain from the limb toward the midline with repeated movements, indicating a favourable mechanical response and guiding exercise direction.

Upper motor neuron signs

Hyperreflexia, spasticity, positive Babinski sign, and clonus indicate central nervous system lesions above the anterior horn cell.

Modified Ashworth Scale

Grades 0 to 4 measuring resistance to passive movement; grade 1+ describes a catch followed by minimal resistance through the remaining range.

Rancho Los Amigos levels

Eight-level scale describing cognitive and behavioural recovery after traumatic brain injury, from no response to purposeful, appropriate behaviour.

Berg Balance Scale

Fourteen-item balance measure scored 0 to 56; scores below 45 predict increased fall risk in older adults and neurological populations.

Guillain-Barre syndrome

Ascending flaccid weakness with areflexia and albuminocytologic dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid; monitor vital capacity for respiratory failure.

Parkinson gait training

Amplitude-based cueing with large steps, visual or auditory cues, and dual-task practice targets bradykinesia and freezing of gait.

Normal tidal volume

Volume of air moved in a quiet breath, approximately 500 mL in adults, with a normal resting respiratory rate of 12 to 20 per minute.

Borg perceived exertion scale

Fifteen-point scale from 6 to 20 rating effort; a rating of 12 to 14 corresponds to moderate intensity for exercise prescription.

Six-minute walk test

Submaximal exercise test measuring distance walked in six minutes with heart rate, SpO2, and dyspnea; desaturation below 88% is a stopping criterion.

Active cycle of breathing

Airway clearance technique combining breathing control, thoracic expansion exercises, and forced expiration technique to mobilize secretions.

Postural drainage precautions

Head-down tilt is avoided with raised intracranial pressure, uncontrolled hypertension, recent hemoptysis, or severe gastroesophageal reflux.

Gross motor milestones

Head control around three months, independent sitting around six months, and walking between twelve and fifteen months, with normal variation expected.

GMFCS levels

Five-level classification of gross motor function in cerebral palsy, from independent walking at level I to wheelchair dependence at level V.

Moro reflex

Primitive startle reflex present at birth and integrated by four to six months; persistence beyond this suggests neurological concern.

Timed up-and-go test

Patient rises from a chair, walks three metres, turns, and returns; times over twelve seconds indicate increased fall risk in older adults.

Sarcopenia management

Progressive resistance training combined with adequate protein intake; screening uses grip strength and gait speed in older adults.

Conventional TENS

High-frequency electrical stimulation around 80 to 120 Hz with short pulse duration, producing pain relief through spinal gating mechanisms.

Therapeutic ultrasound modes

Continuous mode produces thermal effects; pulsed mode delivers non-thermal effects. Typical intensities range from 0.5 to 3 watts per square centimetre.

Cryotherapy contraindications

Avoid cold application in Raynaud phenomenon, cold hypersensitivity, impaired sensation, and over areas with compromised circulation.

Shortwave diathermy precautions

Contraindicated over metal implants in the field, with pacemakers, over the pregnant uterus, and across growing epiphyses.

Informed consent elements

Requires patient capacity, disclosure of risks and benefits of proposed and alternative options, and voluntary agreement, documented before treatment.

Hand hygiene priority

The single most effective measure for preventing healthcare-associated infection; applies before and after every patient contact under standard precautions.

Incident reporting

Mandatory documentation of adverse events and near misses in a non-punitive system that supports organizational learning and patient safety improvement.