Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

When facilitating movement in a patient, which type of end-feel would suggest further intervention is needed due to pain?

1. Soft end feel

2. Firm end feel

3. Empty end feel

4. Hard end feel

The correct answer is: Empty end feel

The type of end-feel that suggests further intervention is needed due to pain is the empty end-feel. This particular end-feel indicates that the movement has been limited by the patient's report of pain rather than by a physical barrier in the joint or soft tissue. In clinical practice, an empty end-feel often arises when a patient cannot tolerate further movement because of discomfort or pain, which warrants a re-evaluation of their treatment plan or a modification in technique to ensure patient safety and comfort. In contrast, a soft end-feel typically suggests normal tissue resistance, such as that occurring at the end of a range of motion due to muscle or fat, usually indicating a healthy movement pattern. A firm end-feel is commonly observed in normal capsular and ligamentous restrictions and can indicate that structures are functioning within their expected limits. A hard end-feel typically represents bony restriction or contact, which is generally expected in certain joint movements. Therefore, understanding these distinctions is crucial, as the empty end-feel highlights the need for careful attention to the patient's experience and may necessitate a change in the approach to treatment.