Musculoskeletal Assessment

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Examination of the gait, arms, legs and spine is essential to discover any musculoskeletal abnormalities.

The musculoskeletal system is composed of muscles, bones, joints and the other connective tissue components that join these structures. The musculoskeletal system is the framework and mechanism by which the body performs all mechanical functions and movements. Each joint is designed to perform a specific set of motions with a complicated system of muscles, tendons, bursae, etc., to produce and facilitate delivery of the mechanical forces acting around the joint to effect the desired function. An abnormality in any of these structures will produce a misalignment or a malfunction.
Musculoskeletal assessment therefore is key to making an accurate diagnosis and assessment of a patient. It includes performing an examination of the muscles, bones, and joints, using the classic techniques of observation, inspection, palpation, and manipulation and the multiple factors assessed include posture, muscle and neural tension, joint range of motion, balance and body fat measurement.