Examination of the shoulder
Rationale: Assesses the patient for acute tears or tendinopathy and aids shoulder stability. Technique: This rotator cuff muscle is assessed with the ‘empty can test’. This involves abducting the shoulder…
Examination of abdominal scars
Midline laparotomy Position: vertical incision through the linea alba. Use: most widely used incision for exploring the abdominal cavity. Xiphisternum to pubis incisions are used for major operations, giving access…
Shoulder x-ray
Normal shoulder: AP view, with key anatomy and review lines highlighted. A, acromion; Cl, clavicle; Co, coracoid process; G, glenoid; GT, greater tuberosity; HH, humeral head; LT, lesser tuberosity. Normal…
Wrist and distal forearm x-ray
Radiograph of the wrist showing fracture of the distal radius with dorsal angulation (Colles’ fracture). The reverse would constitute a Smith’s fracture. Radiograph of the right hand showing a widening…
Foot and ankle x-ray
DP and oblique x-rays of a normal foot, with normal alignment lines and review areas. Line A shows the medial margin of the second MT lining up with the medial…
Examination of the carotid artery
A longitudinal carotid endarterectomy scar is placed on the anterior aspect of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The middle of the incision is situated at the level of the carotid bifurcation, which…
Facial x-ray
Mandible radiograph showing an oblique fracture of the left mandible at the angle (arrow). Examination notes What are the three McGrigor’s lines? Line 1 Upper lines: zygomaticofrontal sutures (laterally), upper…
Principles of surgical practice
Principles of diagnosis How is a diagnosis reached? Three steps: 1. History taking 2. Physical examination 3. Investigations Differential diagnoses How can a differential diagnosis be made? A logical differential…
Examination of the ear
Down’s syndromeAchondroplasiaTurner’s syndromeSee aboveSensorineural hearing loss (SNHL),SNHL, low hairline, webbed neckTall statureMarfan’s syndromeMixed hearing loss, arachnodactylyChanges in skin – loss of pigmentation – café-au-lait spots – depigmented patchesAlbinismNeurofibromatosis type 2VitiligoSNHLBilateral…
