title: A Practical Concussion Physical Examination Toolbox.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With heightened awareness of concussion, there is a need to assess and manage the concussed patient in a consistent manner. Unfortunately, concussion physical examination has not been standardized or supported by evidence. Important questions remain about the physical examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of ClinicalKey, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and PubMed prior to July 2015 was performed using search terms, including concussion, mTBI, physical examination, mental status, cranial nerves, reflexes, cervical, vestibular, and oculomotor. The references of the pertinent articles were reviewed for other relevant sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pertinent physical examination elements for concussion include evaluation of cranial nerves, manual muscle testing, and deep tendon reflexes; inspecting the head and neck for trauma or tenderness and cervical range of motion; Spurling maneuver; a static or dynamic balance assessment; screening ocular examination; and a mental status examination that includes orientation, immediate and delayed recall, concentration, mood, affect, insight, and judgment. Other examination elements to consider, based on signs, symptoms, or clinical suspicion, include testing of upper motor neurons, cervical strength and proprioception, coordination, pupillary reactivity, and visual acuity; examination of the jaw, temporomandibular joint, and thoracic spine; fundoscopic evaluation; orthostatic vital signs; assessment of dynamic visual acuity; and screening for depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorders, and preinjury psychiatric difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Various elements of the physical examination, such as screening ocular examination, cervical musculoskeletal examination, static and/or dynamic balance assessment, and mental status examination, appear to have utility for evaluating concussion; however, data on validity are lacking.
authors.affiliation: Excelsior Orthopaedics, Amherst, New York.
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Matuszak
authors.affiliation: Dent Neurology, Amherst, New York.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McVige
authors.affiliation: Susan Bennett Physical Therapy, North Tonawanda, New York.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.affiliation: UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Willer
authors.affiliation: UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leddy
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000503:physiopathology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: concussion; mTBI; physical examination