Perfect, Taalia.
Let’s build you a 30-day clinical skill ladder where every day you’ll do three
things:
1. Observation (what you see)
2. Palpation (what you feel)
3. Special tests (what you confirm)
By the end, you won’t just know the tests, you’ll think like a clinician.
30-Day MSK Skill Plan
Upper Limb
Day 1 – Shoulder (General posture)
Observation: Shoulder symmetry, rounded shoulders, scapular winging.
Palpation: Clavicle, acromion, coracoid process.
Tests: Neer’s, Hawkins-Kennedy (impingement).
Day 2 – Supraspinatus
Observation: Muscle wasting in supraspinous fossa.
Palpation: Greater tubercle of humerus, supraspinatus tendon.
Tests: Empty Can, Drop Arm.
Day 3 – Instability
Observation: Anterior vs posterior shoulder droop.
Palpation: Humeral head position.
Tests: Apprehension Test, Relocation Test.
Day 4 – Laxity
Observation: Sulcus sign at rest.
Palpation: Joint line of shoulder.
Tests: Sulcus Sign, Load & Shift.
Day 5 – Biceps tendon
Observation: Popeye sign (rupture).
Palpation: Bicipital groove.
Tests: Speed’s, Yergason’s.
Day 6 – AC Joint / Labrum
Observation: Step deformity at AC joint.
Palpation: AC joint line.
Tests: Cross-Body Adduction, O’Brien’s.
Day 7 – Subscapularis
Observation: Internal rotation weakness.
Palpation: Lesser tubercle.
Tests: Lift-Off, Belly-Press.
Elbow & Wrist
Day 8 – Tennis Elbow
Observation: Guarding of lateral elbow.
Palpation: Lateral epicondyle.
Tests: Cozen’s, Mill’s.
Day 9 – Golfer’s Elbow
Observation: Medial elbow swelling.
Palpation: Medial epicondyle.
Tests: Medial Epicondylitis Test.
Day 10 – Ligaments
Observation: Carrying angle changes.
Palpation: Collateral ligaments.
Tests: Valgus, Varus Stress.
Day 11 – Ulnar nerve
Observation: Clawing fingers.
Palpation: Cubital tunnel.
Tests: Tinel’s at elbow, Elbow Flexion Test.
Day 12 – De Quervain’s
Observation: Swelling at radial styloid.
Palpation: 1st dorsal compartment tendons.
Tests: Finkelstein’s.
Day 13 – Carpal Tunnel
Observation: Thenar wasting.
Palpation: Carpal tunnel area.
Tests: Phalen’s, Tinel’s at wrist.
Day 14 – Instability
Observation: Wrist shift under load.
Palpation: Scapholunate interval.
Tests: Watson’s Test.
Hip
Day 15 – Hip/SI joint
Observation: Pelvic tilt, gait.
Palpation: ASIS, PSIS, greater trochanter.
Tests: FABER.
Day 16 – Impingement
Observation: Restricted hip flexion.
Palpation: Hip joint line.
Tests: FADIR.
Day 17 – Flexor tightness
Observation: Increased lumbar lordosis.
Palpation: Iliopsoas area.
Tests: Thomas Test.
Day 18 – IT Band
Observation: Lateral thigh tightness.
Palpation: Greater trochanter, IT band.
Tests: Ober’s.
Day 19 – Gluteus medius
Observation: Trendelenburg gait.
Palpation: Gluteus medius bulk.
Tests: Trendelenburg.
Knee
Day 20 – ACL
Observation: Knee swelling, ant. instability.
Palpation: Joint line, patella.
Tests: Lachman, Anterior Drawer.
Day 21 – PCL
Observation: Sag sign when supine.
Palpation: Posterior joint line.
Tests: Posterior Drawer, Posterior Sag.
Day 22 – Collaterals
Observation: Genu valgum/varum.
Palpation: MCL/LCL.
Tests: Valgus, Varus Stress.
Day 23 – Meniscus
Observation: Locking/clicking during squat.
Palpation: Medial/lateral joint line.
Tests: McMurray’s, Thessaly.
Day 24 – Patellofemoral
Observation: Patellar maltracking.
Palpation: Patella borders.
Tests: Patellar Grind, Clarke’s Sign.
Day 25 – Patellar instability
Observation: Lateral displacement of patella.
Palpation: Medial patellofemoral ligament.
Tests: Patellar Apprehension.
Ankle & Foot
Day 26 – ATFL
Observation: Lateral ankle swelling.
Palpation: ATFL ligament.
Tests: Anterior Drawer (ankle).
Day 27 – CFL
Observation: Lateral instability.
Palpation: CFL ligament.
Tests: Talar Tilt.
Day 28 – Achilles tendon
Observation: Gap or defect in tendon.
Palpation: Achilles tendon.
Tests: Thompson.
Day 29 – Syndesmosis
Observation: Pain with external rotation.
Palpation: Distal tib-fib joint.
Tests: Squeeze, External Rotation.
Day 30 – Plantar fascia
Observation: Arch collapse, heel pain.
Palpation: Medial calcaneal tubercle.
Tests: Windlass Test.
