Physiology & Rehabilitation MCQs

A 28-year-old weightlifter feels a "pop" and tearing sensation in his anterior chest wall while performing a heavy bench press. Examination reveals loss of the anterior axillary fold and weakness in internal rotation. Which of the following is true regarding this injury?

During rehabilitation, a patient slowly lowers a weight from a flexed elbow position, lengthening the active biceps brachii muscle. This is an example of which type of muscle contraction?

During an eccentric muscle contraction, the muscle length actively increases while generating tension. Compared to concentric contractions, eccentric contractions are biomechanically characterized by:

During normal human gait, the joint reaction force across the knee is highest during which specific phase?

A patient presents with a severe procurvatum deformity of the proximal tibia (apex anterior angulation) due to a prior unreduced fracture. Which of the following compensatory gait abnormalities is mechanically most likely to be observed?

A patient with severe unilateral right hip osteoarthritis walks with a Trendelenburg gait, characterized by a lateral lurch of the torso over the affected right hip during the stance phase. What is the primary biomechanical effect of this compensatory gait pattern?

The inability to feel a 5.07 Semmes-Weinstein monofilament on the plantar surface of the foot in a diabetic patient is clinically defined as the loss of:

In the evaluation of a diabetic patient, the inability to perceive the 5.07 Semmes-Weinstein monofilament specifically indicates the loss of which of the following?

Which metabolic pathway is primarily implicated in the development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy through the accumulation of intracellular osmoles and subsequent cellular edema?

A 35-year-old male presents with a painless burn on his right hand. Neurological examination reveals a loss of pain and temperature sensation in a cape-like distribution over his shoulders and upper extremities, while light touch and proprioception remain intact.

Which of the following neuroanatomical structures is primarily affected in the early stages of this condition?

In a patient developing syringomyelia, the expanding syrinx initially causes bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation while preserving touch and proprioception. Which specific spinal cord structure is compressed first to cause this presentation?

As a cervical syrinx progressively enlarges ventrally, it begins to compress and destroy adjacent structures beyond the central commissure. Which of the following neurological findings in the upper extremities is a classic consequence of this ventral extension?

A patient with syringomyelia presents with the classic 'cape-like' bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation over the shoulders and upper extremities.

This specific neurological deficit is caused by the expanding syrinx compressing which structure within the spinal cord?

A 65-year-old man presents with a massively enlarged, painless knee. He has a history of untreated syphilis in his youth. Radiographs reveal severe joint destruction and large osteophytes. Neurological exam shows loss of proprioception and a positive Romberg sign. Which of the following is the most likely pathophysiological mechanism for his joint destruction?

A 32-year-old male presents with painless swelling and instability of his left shoulder. He has noted recent burns on his hands that he did not feel. Imaging shows severe joint destruction.

What is the most likely underlying pathophysiology?

A 45-year-old male presents with painless swelling and severe crepitus in his right shoulder. He has a history of cervical syringomyelia. Radiographs show severe joint destruction, debris, and dislocation.

What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism for this joint destruction?

A pelvic support osteotomy (Ilizarov hip reconstruction) is planned for a young adult with a chronically dislocated, painful hip. The first osteotomy of this procedure is typically performed in the proximal femur. What specific geometric changes are created at this proximal osteotomy site?

A patient has a fixed equinus contracture of the ankle due to spasticity. Over time, what is the most common compensatory deformity observed at the knee during the stance phase of gait?

A young adult with a painful, chronically dislocated hip due to childhood sepsis undergoes an Ilizarov pelvic support osteotomy. This procedure involves a double level femoral osteotomy. What is the primary purpose of the distal femoral osteotomy in this specific reconstruction?