Physiotherapy Assessment and Diagnosis
Patient assessment, clinical screening, measurement and physiotherapy diagnosis
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Physiotherapy Assessment and Diagnosis
Subject Summary
The public overview below follows the supplied PhysioVeda Academics subject summary.
Physiotherapy assessment combines systematic interviewing, observation, physical examination and clinical reasoning to identify movement problems, functional limitations, participation needs and safety concerns.
A reliable examination follows the patient’s presentation rather than a fixed battery of tests: screening protects safety, focused tests evaluate hypotheses, and standardized outcome measures establish progress.
Interpret every finding in context. Pain behavior, posture, imaging, isolated special tests or single vital-sign values rarely establish a diagnosis without supporting history and examination data.
This study summary follows all 28 major topics and 208 subtopics of the uploaded PhysioVeda Academics outline, in the same order. Definitions, examples, exam points and clinical cautions are added educational synthesis—not text quoted from the outline or individualized medical advice.
Clinical note: Test interpretation, normal ranges, contraindications and referral pathways depend on population, clinical setting, local policy and updated guidance. This is an educational revision document and does not replace supervised examination, licensing requirements or medical escalation protocols.
Whole-subject high-yield numbers and concepts
Use these supplied values and key facts for quick whole-subject revision.
| Item | Key number / exam point |
|---|---|
| Assessment sequence | Safety and consent → history → focused observation/testing → interpretation → goals → reassessment |
| WHO ICF | Body functions/structures, activities, participation and contextual factors |
| NPRS | Pain rating often 0–10; report activity and measurement context |
| MRC muscle strength | Ordinal grades 0–5; record position and pain-limited performance |
| Resting adult heart rate | Frequently 60–100 beats/min; interpret in context and with medications |
| Resting adult respiratory rate | Frequently 12–20 breaths/min; interpret effort, trend and symptoms |
| Gait cycle | Approximately 60% stance / 40% swing at comfortable speed |
| BMI | Weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²; not a stand-alone measure of health |
| Functional tests | 10MWT: speed; 6MWT: capacity; TUG: transitions and timed mobility |
| Standardized outcomes | Reliability, validity, responsiveness, MDC and meaningful change |
| Goal formulation | SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound |
| Documentation | SOAP: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan |
| Emergency screening | New progressive weakness, cauda equina features, stroke signs or severe chest/breathing symptoms → immediate escalation |
Core references
- Magee DJ. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. Elsevier.
- O’Sullivan SB, Schmitz TJ, Fulk GD. Physical Rehabilitation. F. A. Davis.
- Dutton M. Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention. McGraw Hill.
- Goodman CC, Fuller KS. Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. Elsevier.
- Kisner C, Colby LA, Borstad J. Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques. F. A. Davis.
- American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. Wolters Kluwer.
- World Health Organization. International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). WHO; 2001.
- American Physical Therapy Association. Guide to Physical Therapist Practice (online practice framework).
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