Knee and Ankle Sports Injury Assessment Trainer

I love having this as a tool for our lower evaluation class. It is one thing to teach knee and ankle special tests and another for them to actually feel what a positive test is. This tool allows students to obtain hands-on skills with feedback opportunities. They definitely have a better understanding of the skills after using it!

I have used this to improve the assessment skills of my nurse practitioner students. The model allows students to have hands on training to differentiate between the various injuries when doing their assessment. I also created a binder that I place alongside the model that outlines the steps to take to make the assessment, allowing for greater diagnostic accuracy. Students comment that they have a greater understanding of the musculoskeletal conditions after using the model.

Being able to have tools like this for students to touch and feel what a torn ACL or ATF would feel like – is it spongy? Is there end-feel? - is crucial. Otherwise, unfortunately, you’re looking for live models of individuals that are hurt and hoping they’re in your class so you can ask if they mind whether you use them as an example. With this, students can practice their skills but also get that feedback – that ‘oh, I see what you mean now.’ They can see the description, hear the description, but to feel it is something else entirely.