Beyond the Orthopedic Test: Building a Better Framework for Clinical Assessment

A great clinical assessment is not about knowing more tests. It is about asking better questions.

Orthopedic tests, range of motion, strength, movement, and neurologic findings are all pieces of the clinical examination, but no single finding tells the entire story. This article explores a practical framework for musculoskeletal assessment built around clinical reasoning, meaningful testing, reassessment, and the gradual development of pattern recognition.