A physical therapist (PT) evaluates a patient with a lumbar radiculopathy. During the neurological examination, the PT notes the patient has fatigable weakness with testing the patient’s big toe extension. What other motion could the PT test to determine whether the weakness is truly myotome weakness?

A 55-year-old male has a chief complaint of chronic right-sided low back pain that has occurred in the last 3 weeks. He reports that the pain is worst when he stands for long periods of time, sleeping on his back with his knees extended, and walking long distances with his dog. Symptoms of low back pain improve when he sits immediately. PT examination finds ROM deficits and tenderness to palpation at the lower lumbar segments with mobilization. Based on this information alone, what interventions are the most evidence-based, considering the patient’s diagnosis?

Centralization can occur in which of the following MDT syndromes?

Patient Case: A 58-year-old patient reports stiffness and aching in the lower back that is worse in the morning and after prolonged activity. The pain is primarily localized to the lumbar region. The patient notes difficulty standing fully upright after sitting for extended periods, and describes relief with short periods of rest. On examination, lumbar extension reproduces their symptoms, segmental mobility testing reveals hypomobility, and no centralization occurs with repeated movement testing. Neurological screening is unremarkable. Why does extension reproduce this patient’s symptoms?

Case Study: Chris, a 55-year-old male, presents for his first physical therapy visit for lower back pain. He reports a 15-year history of recurring low back symptoms following a traumatic car accident in 2001. Chris expresses doubt that therapy will help, but his physician recommended it before another pain injection or potential surgery. He avoids exercise, noting that nearly all movements increase his pain to 6/10 on the VAS. His pain is typically diffuse across the lumbar region and occasionally radiates into the buttocks when straining or lifting objects over 10 pounds. Significant guarding is observed with bending and extension movements due to pain, and the PT identifies myospasm in the paraspinal and rectus abdominis muscles during objective assessment. Which outcome measure would BEST provide insight into his psychosocial factors and pain-related beliefs?

A treating physical therapist is attempting to stretch the quadratus lumborum for a patient with unilateral low back pain. Which of the following anatomical landmarks is the origin of this muscle?

The physical therapist implements the following manual therapy technique below to improve what direction of patient mobility? The PT’s right arm is mobilizing in a cranial/cephalic direction. (A clinical photograph showing a clinician applying a manual therapy technique to a patient positioned side-lying on a treatment table.)

A physical therapist has been working with a 42 year old teacher who is engaged in heavy weight lifting as her leisure activity. Her stress incontinence is getting better; however, she continues to have leaks when squatting with heavy weights. What interventions should be your primary focus?

Case Study: Chris, a 55-year-old male, presents for his first physical therapy visit for lower back pain. He reports a 15-year history of recurring low back symptoms following a traumatic car accident in 2001. Chris expresses doubt that therapy will help, but his physician recommended it before another pain injection or potential surgery. He avoids exercise, noting that nearly all movements increase his pain to 6/10 on the VAS. His pain is typically diffuse across the lumbar region and occasionally radiates into the buttocks when straining or lifting objects over 10 pounds. Significant guarding is observed with bending and extension movements due to pain, and the PT identifies myospasm in the paraspinal and rectus abdominis muscles during objective assessment. The PT performs the following special tests, with all of the tests being negative. What is the most appropriate interpretation of these examination items? (Three photographs showing different components of a clinical examination testing procedure performed by a clinician on a patient. Patient is in supine for two of the pictures and in sidelying position for another picture. The clinician is placing his hands on different areas of the patients sacroiliac anatomy.)

A physical therapist is educating a patient on core strengthening, specifically focusing on the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. Which of the following correctly lists the muscle layers from superficial to deep?