Final answer:
In physical therapy, a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) can perform several orthopedic tests to assess and evaluate the patient's condition, including pain description, postural assessment, range of motion, dermatomal assessment, and gait assessment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In physical therapy, a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) can perform several orthopedic tests to assess and evaluate the patient's condition. Some of these tests include:
- Pain description: The PTA will ask the patient to describe the location, intensity, and nature of their pain to better understand their condition.
- Postural assessment: The PTA will observe the patient's posture and body alignment to identify any abnormalities or imbalances that may contribute to their orthopedic issue.
- Range of motion: The PTA will assess the patient's joint mobility and flexibility by guiding them through various movements to determine the extent of their range of motion.
- Dermatomal assessment: The PTA may perform selective nerve root tension tests or assess sensory changes in specific areas to evaluate nerve-related symptoms.
- Gait assessment: The PTA will observe the patient's walking pattern and movements to identify any limitations or abnormalities that may affect their orthopedic function.