OMSB Physiotherapy flashcards

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

Ottawa Ankle Rules

Ankle X-ray is indicated when there is malleolar zone pain plus bone tenderness at the posterior lateral or medial malleolus, or inability to bear weight for four steps.

Lachman test

Knee held at 20-30 degrees flexion while the tibia is translated anteriorly; the most sensitive clinical test for anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

Trendelenburg sign

During single-leg stance the pelvis drops on the contralateral side, indicating weakness of the gluteus medius on the stance limb.

Progressive tendon loading

Tendons adapt to mechanical load; eccentric or heavy slow resistance exercise progressed by pain response is first-line management for tendinopathy.

ASIA impairment scale

Classifies spinal cord injury from A (complete, no sacral sparing) to E (normal), with B sensory incomplete and C/D motor incomplete by key muscle grades.

Modified Ashworth Scale

Grades 0 to 4 (including 1+) resistance to passive movement; it measures spasticity rather than function and has moderate inter-rater reliability.

Berg Balance Scale

Fourteen-item balance measure scored out of 56; 41-56 low fall risk, 21-40 medium, 0-20 high, with a minimum detectable change near 4-5 points.

Rancho Los Amigos levels

Eight levels of cognitive recovery after traumatic brain injury, from no response (I) through confused/agitated (IV) to purposeful and appropriate (VIII).

Guillain-Barré syndrome

Ascending symmetrical weakness with areflexia; monitor vital capacity because respiratory failure can develop, with intubation considered below 15-20 mL/kg.

Six-minute walk test

Submaximal endurance test; contraindicated with resting heart rate above 120, severe hypertension, or SpO2 below 85 percent on room air.

MET definition

One metabolic equivalent equals 3.5 mL of oxygen per kilogram per minute; used to grade activity tolerance and prescribe cardiac rehabilitation intensity.

Pursed-lip breathing

Prolongs expiration and reduces dynamic hyperinflation in obstructive lung disease, easing dyspnea during exertion and improving ventilation.

Active cycle of breathing

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

Sternal precautions

For six to eight weeks after median sternotomy, avoid lifting more than 5-10 kg and pushing or pulling with the arms to protect the healing sternum.

GMFCS levels

Five-level classification of gross motor function in cerebral palsy; level I walks independently and level V is transported in a manual wheelchair.

GMFM-66

Interval-scaled measure of gross motor function in cerebral palsy used to detect change over time across five dimensions including standing and walking.

Congenital muscular torticollis

Head tilt with rotation restriction present at birth; managed with positioning, gentle stretching, and tummy time, often alongside plagiocephaly repositioning advice.

Ortolani and Barlow tests

Neonatal hip tests for developmental dysplasia; Ortolani reduces a dislocated hip and Barlow dislocates a reducible hip, with ultrasound preferred before ossification.

ICF framework

World Health Organization model classifying body functions and structures, activities, participation, and environmental and personal factors influencing functioning.

SMART goals

Goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, ideally patient-centered and focused on meaningful functional activity.

Minimum clinically important difference

The smallest change in an outcome score that patients perceive as beneficial, such as about 2 points on a numeric pain rating scale.

SBAR handover

Structured communication tool covering Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation, used for clinical handover and escalation of deteriorating patients.

Four elements of negligence

A successful negligence claim requires a duty of care, a breach of that duty, causation, and resulting harm to the patient.

Informed consent

Valid consent requires patient capacity, disclosure of material risks and alternatives, and voluntary agreement, all documented in the clinical record.

Standard precautions

Hand hygiene and barrier protection applied to all patients when contact with blood or body fluids is possible, regardless of known infection status.

Morse Fall Scale

Validated screening tool scoring fall risk from history, secondary diagnosis, aids, intravenous lines, gait, and mental status to target prevention.

SOAP note format

Structured documentation of Subjective history, Objective findings, Assessment and diagnosis, and Plan including goals, interventions, and review date.

Manual muscle testing grades

Zero to five scale: 0 no contraction, 1 trace, 2 gravity eliminated, 3 against gravity, 4 some resistance, 5 normal strength.

Red flag screening

Unexplained weight loss, night pain, fever, progressive neurological deficit, or bowel and bladder changes warrant urgent medical referral before treatment.

FITT-VP principle

Exercise prescription framework covering Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, Volume, and Progression for aerobic, resistance, and flexibility training.

Epley one-repetition maximum formula

Estimated 1RM equals weight lifted multiplied by one plus repetitions divided by thirty; valid for sets of ten repetitions or fewer.

Rotator cuff muscles

Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis; they stabilize the humeral head and control shoulder rotation and abduction.