End Feels. NPTE Study Guide: Master the NPTE

Normal End Feels:

  1. Hard: Bone or cartilage. Example: elbow extension

  2. Soft: Soft tissue approximation. Example: elbow flexion

  3. Firm: Capsular and ligamentous stretching. Example: shoulder flexion

Pathological/Abnormal End Feels:

  1. Hard: Heterotropic ossification or other bony obstruction (in abnormal location)

  2. Boggy: Edema, joint swelling

  3. Springy: Meniscal displacement

  4. Rubbery: Muscle spasm

  5. Firm with decreased elasticity: Fibrosis of soft tissues 

  6. Empty: Muscle guarding or pain

  7. Hypermobile: Too much motion

  8. Hypomobile: Too little motion