5-POINT JOINT ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Ankle Instructions

General Observations

1. Before you begin the test please observe how your feet feel and where your feet fall naturally.  Take note.  Do they fall out to the side, do they fall naturally inward.  Are they pointed away from your body or do the pull back towards your body?  Note this on the notes section of your intake form for the 5 Point Joint Assessment.

Starting Position                         

1. Sit upright on a flat surface with your legs straight out in front of you.
2. Your feet should be pointing straight up into the air.
   1. This is your starting position and where you begin your measurement.

Ending Position                                      

1. Pull your toes back towards your body (Dorsi Flexion).

Results

1. Observe where your feet are and measure the ROM based on the starting position.
2. If you have access to a goniometer have a friend use that to get an exact measure of your results.  Otherwise eyeball your ROM and annotate that on the intake form.
3. Observe the difference between your right and left side.

Hip Instructions

General Observations

1. Before you begin the test please observe how your hips feel.  Take note.  When you are standing do your feet turn outward or inward?  Are your feet symmetrically pointing in the same direction?  Note this on the notes section of your intake form for the 5 Point Joint Assessment.

Starting Position                                                  

1. Sit off an edge of a stool or ledge so your feet do not touch the ground.
2. Your lower legs should be hanging naturally at a 90 deg angle from your thighs which should be a 90 deg angle form your hips.
   1. This is your starting position and where you begin your measurement.

Ending Position

1. Keeping your knee from moving, take your ankle and move it away from your centerline (Internal Rotation).  You can do this by rotating your femur inward which will cause your ankle to move away from your centerline.

Results

1. Observe where your hips are and measure the ROM based on the starting position.
2. If you have access to a goniometer have a friend use that to get an exact measure of your results.  Otherwise eyeball your ROM and annotate that on the intake form.
3. Observe the difference between your right and left side.

Back Instructions

General Observations

1. Before you begin the test please observe how your back feels.  Take note.  Do you have a limited motion in one direction?  Does it grab on you in specific movements?  Note this on the notes section of your intake form for the 5 Point Joint Assessment.

Starting Position                   

1. Sit upright on a chair or bench with your feet on the floor.
2. Your feet should be hip width apart and your hands can be either out to the side or placed across your chest.
   1. This is your starting position and where you begin your measurement.

Ending Position

1. Rotate your torso to the Right/Left (Axial Rotation).

Results

1. Observe where your shoulders are pointing and measure the ROM they moved from the starting position to where they are now.
2. If you have access to a goniometer have a friend use that to get an exact measure of your results.  Otherwise eyeball your ROM and annotate that on the intake form.
3. Observe the difference between your right and left side.

Shoulder Instructions

General Observations

1. Before you begin the test please observe how your shoulders feel.  Where do they sit in relation to each other?  Is one higher than the other?  Are they rounded forward?  Take note.  Note this on the notes section of your intake form for the 5 Point Joint Assessment.

Starting Position                                                  

1. Sit upright on a chair or bench with your feet on the floor.
2. Place your hand on your legs with your thumbs pointing up to the sky.
   1. This is your starting position and where you begin your measurement.

Ending Position

1. Rotate your hands out away from your centerline keeping your elbow in the same position (External Rotation).

Results

1. Observe where your hands are and measure the ROM they moved from the starting position to where they are now.
2. If you have access to a goniometer have a friend use that to get an exact measure of your results.  Otherwise eyeball your ROM and annotate that on the intake form.
3. Observe the difference between your right and left side.

Neck Instructions 

General Observations

1. Before you begin the test please observe where your head sits on top of your neck.  Take note.  Do you feel a restriction?  Do you have pain?  Do you notice that your head is off-center?  Note this on the notes section of your intake form for the 5 Point Joint Assessment.

Starting Position                               

1. Sit upright on a chair or bench with your feet on the floor/or you can stand upright.
   1. This is your starting position and where you begin your measurement.

Ending Position

1. Rotate your head to the Right then Left as if you are trying to look over your shoulders (Axial Rotation).  

Results

1. Observe where your nose is pointing and measure the ROM your head has moved from the starting position to where it is now.
2. If you have access to a goniometer have a friend use that to get an exact measure of your results.  Otherwise eyeball your ROM and annotate that on the intake form.
3. Observe the difference between your right and left side.

Need some more help?  Watch the video below on how to perform each Assessment: