On-field orthopedic screening begins with which essential component?

• A. History
• B. Observation
• C. Palpation
• D. Special Tests

Answer: (A)

Starting with a thorough history provides the context that drives the entire on-field evaluation. Knowing the mechanism of injury, exactly where the athlete felt pain, how the pain began, what movements or activities aggravate it, and whether there are symptoms like numbness or weakness helps you form a working hypothesis about what structures might be involved and what safety concerns exist. This information tells you what to look for as you observe how the athlete moves, where to palpate for tenderness, and which provocative tests will be most informative. Without a clear history, you risk chasing tests that don’t fit the injury pattern or missing red flags that require immediate care. Observation and palpation are important next steps to verify and localize findings, and targeted special tests follow to confirm suspected injuries, but the history sets the direction for the entire assessment. If there are signs of urgent issues (like severe deformity or neurovascular symptoms), those take priority and can override the usual sequence.