ABSTRACT
The components of the musculoskeletal (MSK) system include the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons as well as the neurological and vascular structures. A simple system allows a concise yet comprehensive history to be taken and a reliable examination to be performed. This will permit diagnosis of the common, the rare and the clinically urgent MSK problems that are likely to be encountered in clinical practice. The gait cycle is all of the activity between the initial contact of the foot with the ground and the succeeding initial contact of the same limb. There are two main stages: the stance phase and the swing phase. The aim of sensory testing is to establish a pattern of sensory loss. Increased movement and flexibility of a joint can often cause joint pain and symptoms of instability. A formal assessment of joint mobility can help document the degree of mobility.
