Pain and Vibration Sense Testing

Pain and Vibration Sense Testing

by Professor Rhonda White

​Praire State College

​PTA Program

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable tool to use for pain testing?

• safety pin

• sterile cotton tipped applicator

• paper clip

• a twizzler

Poll

Is it important for your patient to be able to tell the difference between sharp (painful) or dull (non-painful) stimuli for accurate pain testing?

• Yes

• No

• It does'nt matter

​Sharp/Dull Testing

1. ​Ask the patient to close their eyes

2. ​Ask the patient to tell you when they feel a stimulus by saying "sharp" or "dull."

3. ​Touch the patient's skin on either side with enough pressure to slightly indent the skin.

4. ​Just record the results. Do not try to force the patient to "get it"

5. ​Abnormal responses include:

   1. ​inability to distinguish between sharp/dull

   2. not feeling either stimulus​

      1. AVOID REPEATED PATTERNS!!!

Vibration​ Testing

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE: You initiate vibration by tapping it on the heel of your hand?

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Vibration Testing

1. ​Ask the patient to close their eyes

2. ​Ask the patient to tell you when the vibration is felt

3. ​Test patient's accuracy by performing several tests when the for is not vibrating

4. ​You can feel the vibration also by lightly touching the finger or toe being tested

5. ​Test distally to proximally

6. ​LE: MTP to medial malleolus to the tibial tub to ASIS

7. ​UE: MCP to lateral epicondyle to the acromion process

Poll

What type of fork is used in vibration testing

• A pitchfork

• A tuning fork

• A plastic fork

• A spork