National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

What test is most appropriate for a runner experiencing sharp, localized anterior leg pain aggravated by heel strike?

1. Compartmental pressure testing

2. Joint range of motion and strength

3. Biomechanical gait assessment

4. Vibration and percussion testing

The correct answer is: Vibration and percussion testing

The scenario describes a runner with sharp, localized anterior leg pain that worsens upon heel strike, which suggests a possible issue related to a specific structure in the anterior compartment of the leg, such as the muscles, tendons, or possibly nerve irritation. Utilizing vibration and percussion testing is particularly useful for assessing conditions like stress fractures, tendonitis, or other soft tissue injuries. In this case, the anterior leg pain could be indicative of conditions such as anterior tibial stress syndrome (also known as shin splints) or an injury to the tibialis anterior or other structures in that area. Vibration testing can help evaluate whether the pain is associated with a specific bony or soft tissue source. Other options like compartmental pressure testing can be valuable for diagnosing conditions such as acute compartment syndrome, but they are less commonly performed in the case of chronic anterior leg pain. Joint range of motion and strength assessments provide useful general information about the knee and ankle but may not directly pinpoint the cause of the localized pain as effectively as vibration testing. Biomechanical gait assessment could offer insights into the runner's overall movement mechanics, but it may not provide the immediate, localized assessment needed to evaluate sharp, focused pain in this context. Thus, vibration and percussion testing serve