OT Clinical Reasoning
Bones & Landmarks
Ligaments & Stabilizers
Muscle Actions & Function
Occupation-Based Clinical Reasoning
100

A patient with genu valgum would demonstrate knee alignment commonly referred to as this.

What are knock knees?

100

This carpal bone can be palpated distal to the ulnar styloid process.

What is the triquetrum?

100

This ligament forms the roof of the carpal tunnel.

What is the transverse carpal ligament?

100

This muscle group is the primary knee extensor.

What is the quadriceps femoris?

100

A client with limited wrist extension will most likely struggle with this common kitchen task.

What is opening jars or forceful grasping?

200

Which occupation would likely become difficult first with severe quadriceps weakness?

What is stair climbing or sit-to-stand?

200

This structure serves as the attachment site for the patellar tendon.

What is the tibial tuberosity?

200

This ligament prevents excessive valgus motion at the knee.

What is the medial collateral ligament?

200

This portion of the quadriceps assists with both hip flexion and knee extension.

What is the rectus femoris?

200

A client with weak quadriceps would most likely have difficulty with this transfer.

What is sit-to-stand?

300

A client with a TFCC injury would most likely report difficulty performing this forearm motion.

What is pronation/supination?

300

This carpal bone articulates with seven surrounding bones and serves as the central axis of wrist motion.

What is the capitate?

300

This ligament primarily limits clavicular elevation at the SC joint.

What is the costoclavicular ligament?

300

This muscle stabilizes and depresses the clavicle during arm movement.

What is the subclavius?

300

A client with impaired subtalar pronation/supination would most likely struggle walking on this type of surface.

What is uneven terrain?

400

A client with weakness of the tibialis anterior is most likely to demonstrate this gait problem.

What is foot drop?

400

This bony prominence of the fibula acts as a pulley for the fibularis longus and brevis tendons.

What is the lateral malleolus?

400

These two ligaments are the major non-muscular stabilizers of the subtalar joint.

What are the interosseous and cervical ligaments?

400

The oblique fibers of this quadriceps muscle help orient and stabilize the patella.

What is the vastus medialis?

400

A client reports pain directly below the patella that worsens with jumping and squatting. This condition is most likely:

What is patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)?

500

You observe excessive pronation, knee valgus, and poor balance while a client descends stairs. Name two body regions that should be evaluated in addition to the knee.

What are the foot/ankle and hip? (regional interdependence)

500

This structure separates the tendon of the extensor pollicis longus from the extensor carpi radialis brevis.

What is Lister's tubercle?

500

This ligament prevents anterior displacement of the lunate and contributes significantly to wrist proprioception.

What is the dorsal radiocarpal ligament?

500

During heel strike, the quadriceps function primarily in this type of contraction.

What is eccentric contraction?

500

A patient demonstrates decreased ankle dorsiflexion during gait. What compensatory strategy might you observe?

What is foot drop compensation/high stepping gait? (Clinical application of dorsiflexor weakness.)