Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Diagnosis of Musculus Gastrocnemius Tightness - Key Factors for the Clinical Examination
Published on: July 7, 2016
The diagnostic value of clinical examination after falanga--a pilot validation study
Kirstine Amris1, Ole Vedel Rasmussen, Turkcan Baykal
1The Parker Institute, Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. Kirstine.Amris@fh.hosp.dk
Abstract:
Medico-legal documentation of alleged exposure to falanga torture warrants a high diagnostic accuracy of the applied clinical tests. The objective of this study was to establish data on the validity of palpatory examination of the footpads and the plantar fascia and to assess the distribution of observations among selected cases and non-cases in a small study sample. Calculated estimates of sensitivity and specificity of the individual diagnostic tests are reported and, in general, did not meet the authority-based criteria of an 80% cut-off point. The observed total number of true tests in this study was 65 %. It is concluded that future studies of the reliability of clinical examination and assessment of the variability of observations among unselected cases and non-cases should be conducted in a larger cross-sectional study population.
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Assessment of the Abdomen III: Palpation
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...
Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection.