The musculoskeletal system constitutes a demanding part of the physical
examination in terms of both knowledge and time. The skillful examiner focuses this
critical task through information obtained in a careful history. The examiner should
take the opportunity to observe the patient’s posture and mobility when he or she first
enters the examination room. Musculoskeletal exam nearly exclusively relies on
inspection and palpation of the joints and some specialized tests involving those
techniques. Rarely do percussion and auscultation play a role in the musculoskeletal
exam. The key features to note and record on the examination of the joints are swelling,
tenderness, and loss of motion.
Keywords: Bone, Cartilage, Connective tissues, Muscle, Tendons.
