Virtual Orthopaedic Examination of the Lower Extremity: The Know-How of an Emerging Skill

Telemedicine has become an emerging necessity in the practice of orthopaedic surgery following the paradigm shift that was brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Physical examination is an integral component of orthopaedic care and plays a crucial role in diagnosis.

Based on our experience and expert opinion in the literature, we recommend the following infrastructure for a virtual orthopaedic physical examination: a computing device with a functioning camera and high-definition input/output audio, a 720p (high-definition) display, a processing speed of 3.4 GHz, an internet connection speed range from 1 to 25 Mbps, adequate lighting, a steady camera that is positioned 3 to 6 ft (0.9 to 1.8 m) from the patient, a quiet environment for the examination, and clothing that exposes the area to be examined.

When performing a virtual examination of the lower extremity, inspection, range of motion, and gait analysis can be easily translated by verbally instructing the patient to position his or her body or perform the relevant motion. Self-palpation accompanied by visual observation can be used to assess points of tenderness. Strength testing can be performed against gravity or by using household objects with known weights. Many special tests (e.g., the Thessaly test with knee flexion at 20° for meniscal tears) can also be translated to a virtual setting by verbally guiding patients through relevant positioning and motions.

Postoperative wound assessment can be performed in the virtual setting by instructing the patient to place a ruler next to the wound for measuring the dimensions and using white gauze for color control. The wound can be visually assessed when the patient's camera or smartphone is positioned 6 to 18 in (15 to 46 cm) away and is held at a 45° angle to the incision.