Orthopedic Imaging, Special Tests, and Clinical Conditions

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering musculoskeletal imaging modalities, anatomical special tests, pediatric and adult orthopedic conditions, rheumatologic disorders, and differential diagnoses.

X-ray

The best first-line imaging modality for fractures, alignment, and bony changes.

CT scan

Cross-sectional imaging best for detailed bone and trauma evaluation.

MRI

Gold standard imaging modality for soft-tissue lesions (ligaments, spine, brain).

$T_1$ sequence

MRI sequence where fat and protein appear bright.

$T_2$ sequence

MRI sequence where water and fluid appear bright.

Proton Density fat-saturation (PD fat-sat)

MRI sequence used to suppress fat to make edema and pathology easier to see.

MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography)

Imaging modality used specifically to visualize vascular structures (MRI with contrast dye).

Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)

Shoulder condition with a hallmark presentation of progressive painful and stiff shoulder with capsular restriction and capsular end-feel.

Drop-arm test

Special test for a large or supraspinatus rotator cuff tear where the patient cannot control lowering the arm from abduction.

Jobe test

Special test indicating a full-thickness rotator cuff tear (Empty Can test).

Lift-off test (Gerber)

Special test for the subscapularis where the patient is unable or weak to lift their hand away from their low back.

Rent test

Special clinical test corresponding to a full-thickness rotator cuff tear.

Horizontal Adduction / Cross-body adduction test

Special provocative test for AC joint pathology, evaluated alongside tests like the Paxinos sign.

Subacromial impingement syndrome tests

Cluster of provocative clinical tests that includes Hawkins-Kennedy, Neer, Yocum, Coracoid Impingement, and Supine Impingement.

Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Overuse condition involving the common extensor tendon at the lateral elbow.

Maudsley's test

Special test used to evaluate lateral epicondylitis alongside Cozen's and Mill's tests.

Medial epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)

Overuse condition involving the common flexor-pronator tendon at the medial elbow.

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Entrapment neuropathy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow causing little finger sensory symptoms.

De Quervain tenosynovitis

Inflammatory condition involving the first dorsal wrist compartment presenting as thumb-side tendinopathy.

Finkelstein test

Special provocative test for De Quervain tenosynovitis involving radial wrist pain with a thumb/wrist maneuver.

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)

Downward displacement of the femoral head from the growth plate in adolescents, presenting with obligatory external rotation during hip flexion.

Drehmann sign

An obligatory external rotation pattern observed whenever the hip is flexed, characteristic of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE).

Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (LCPD)

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurring in children.

Ortolani test

Infant hip instability test that assesses for hip reduction / clunk.

Barlow test

Infant hip instability test that provokes posterior displacement / dislocation.

Galeazzi sign

Clinical sign assessing knee-height asymmetry for leg-length discrepancy or congenital hip dislocation.

Trendelenburg test

Special test revealing a pelvic drop on the unsupported side due to hip abductor dysfunction.

Myositis ossificans

Heterotopic bone formation complication that can occur following a severe thigh contusion.

Meralgia paresthetica

Compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve causing sensory-only symptoms over the anterolateral thigh.

Patellar tendinitis / tendinopathy ("Jumper's Knee")

Overuse degenerative condition of the patellar tendon associated with jumping.

Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome

Overuse condition causing lateral knee pain around $30$ degrees of knee flexion, commonly assessed via Ober's or Noble compression tests.

Plantar fasciitis

Heel condition classically presenting with pain during the very first steps after rest or in the morning.

Thompson test

Special test for Achilles tendon rupture where a calf squeeze results in absent or abnormal plantarflexion.

Cervical radiculopathy

Neck disorder involving cervical nerve-root irritation with radiating pain and dermatomal numbness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Autoimmune systemic inflammatory disease primarily involving the synovium with symmetric joint involvement and HLA-DR4 association.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Seronegative spondyloarthropathy characterized by young male onset, inflammatory back pain, syndesmophytes, and bamboo spine.

Gout

Crystal arthropathy characterized by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals (needle-shaped, negatively birefringent) typically affecting the 1st MTP joint (podagra).

Pseudogout

Crystal arthropathy characterized by calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals (rhomboid, positively birefringent) with chondrocalcinosis.

Heberden nodes

Hard bony nodes specifically located over the DIP joints of the fingers in osteoarthritis.

Bouchard nodes

Hard bony enlargements located specifically at the PIP joints of the fingers in osteoarthritis.

Dactylitis

Severe swelling of an entire single digit ("sausage digit") seen in conditions such as psoriatic arthritis.

Reactive Arthritis

Arthritis following a recent gastrointestinal or genitourinary infection, presenting with the classic triad of conjunctivitis, urethritis, and asymmetric arthritis.

SCFE

An adolescent presents with a limp and groin pain, showing an obligatory external rotation pattern whenever the hip is flexed. What condition does the Drehmann sign point to?

ITB Syndrome

A runner complains of sharp lateral knee pain that worsens when climbing or descending stairs, with tenderness near Gerdy's tubercle and a positive Noble compression test. What is the diagnosis?

Plantar Fasciitis

A patient reports severe heel pain with their very first steps in the morning or after a long period of sitting, which eases slightly with continued walking. What is the primary suspect?