This post will include a PowerPoint lecture on “Lower Extremity Evaluation” taught by Dr. Anne Resty, DPT. She is a Physical Therapist that I have worked with and I highly respect. I greatly appreciate her assistance here. I recommend you also the watch videos further down on how to perform these special tests that she covers in her presentation (videos have already been posted to the blog covering knee exams-click here to go to this post). Additionally, the “When to get an Xray” video further down should be educational for any and all medics or corpsmen.
Lastly, there are a few links sprinkled in on this post that highlight products that I use for my patients, or have used in the past with success. There is a link to a cheaper version of the “Game Ready” ice compression machine, sold on Amazon. I’ve purchased this much cheaper alternative in the past, and it works. Patients love it. Additionally, I’ve linked to the ankle brace on Amazon.com that I give out to students – I call it the “Cadillac ankle brace” because it completely stabilizes the ankle and helps Soldiers continue on once we determine the injury is just a sprain. Soldiers can wear it under their boots or with their running shoe. I’m sharing the things that have worked for us.
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This video by Dr. Resty, DPT, will cover the following:
- Ankle Exam
- Knee Exam
- When to get an X-ray for an Ankle Injury
- When to get an X-ray for a Knee Injury
- IT band Syndrome
ANKLE SPECIAL TESTS
WHEN WE NEED TO GET AN XRAY
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Extra Credit for Next Level Medics
Link to “Ankle Sprain” Outline created by Orthopaedic Residents on “OrthoBullets” website. Gives Anatomy, Diagnosis criteria, Imaging, Surgical options, and Rehab Timelines.
All content is intended to be educational only. Medics should operate under the supervision of a medical provider and abide by all local laws while stateside. Medics should only practice at the level credentialed, and only at the level allowed. This content is not intended to treat or give a substitution for any credentialed provider. Content is intended to aid in a deployed prolonged care setting. Take guidance from your leaders. Utilize these posts as preparation and as a supplement to your provider’s direction and teaching.
This content is the author’s opinion alone and does not necessarily reflect the opinion, official position, or stance of the Department of Defense, or any other branch of the United States Military.
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