The Virtual Shoulder and Knee Physical Examination

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Telehealth
• Orthopedics

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid transition from in-person to telehealth visits in sports medicine.
• Telehealth offers convenience and accessibility, indicating its continued use post-pandemic.
• The physical examination is perceived as a significant challenge in virtual sports medicine consultations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive guide for conducting virtual shoulder and knee physical examinations for sports medicine telehealth visits.
• To address the perceived limitations of telehealth in sports medicine evaluations.
• To facilitate effective remote patient assessment and documentation.

Main Methods:

• Development of patient-friendly verbal instructions for remote physical examination.
• Creation of multimedia resources (narrated videos, annotated presentations) for virtual shoulder and knee assessments.
• Design of a documentation checklist to support telehealth physical examinations.

Main Results:

• A majority of standard physical examination maneuvers for the shoulder and knee can be adapted for telehealth with minimal modifications.
• Provided resources enable clinicians to guide patients through virtual examinations effectively.
• The proposed methods enhance the feasibility and thoroughness of remote sports medicine evaluations.

Conclusions:

• Virtual physical examinations for shoulder and knee are feasible and effective within a telehealth framework.
• The provided guidelines and multimedia tools can overcome common obstacles in remote sports medicine care.
• Telehealth, augmented by standardized virtual examination protocols, represents a sustainable model for sports medicine delivery.