AOTA Board Certification in Physical
Rehab Exam 2026 Questions and Answers
Bouchard's nodes - Correct answer-PIP joint
Heberden's nodes - Correct answer-DIP joint
What part of the joint does RA attack first? - Correct answer-Synovial fluid/lining
Chronic inactive RA - Correct answer-joint deformities and skeletal collapse
Boggy RA - Correct answer-acute phase, soft and spongy
Chronic synovitis RA - Correct answer-Firm to touch
How to assess stability arthritis - Correct answer-Stabilize proximal phalanx and
glide distal phalanx laterally/medially to address collateral ligaments; glide distal
phalanx ant/post to assess volar plate and joint capsule
Heat is contraindicated for arthritis when? - Correct answer-During an acute flare-
up
What type of exercise is contraindicated during acute phase of arthritis - Correct
answer-Resistive (do pain free gentle ROM)
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What exercise for chronic active and chronic inactive arthritis? - Correct answer-
AROM pain free, gentle resistive exercise, start with isometrics and proceed to
isotonic
Week 2-4 TSA - Correct answer-IROT/EROT PROM with cane
Week 4-6 TSA - Correct answer-Increase PROM per MD, gentle isometrics but
delay IROT until week 6
Week 6-8 TSA - Correct answer-Begin AROM, start in supine with dowel/cane
then progress to against therapy
Week 8 TSA - Correct answer-Strengthening with light resistance
Week 12 TSA - Correct answer-Begin light work and leisure skills
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty contraindicated movements - Correct answer-
Avoid internal rotation, adduction, and extension of the shoulder for 12 weeks;
some surgeons hold pendulums
Boutonniere deformity - Correct answer-PIP joint
Swan neck - Correct answer-DIP joint
Stage 1 Neer's classification of Impingement - Correct answer-Edema and
hemorrhage from excessive overhead use (reversible)
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, Stage 2 Neer's classification of impingement - Correct answer-Fibrosis and
tendinitis of the rotator cuff due to multiple occurrences of inflammation
(irreversible)
Stage 3 Neer's classification of impingement - Correct answer-Bone spurs, partial
and complete tears of the rotator cuff and/or long head of the biceps tendon
Shoulder impingement occurs.... - Correct answer-At the subacromial space
How is bursitis different than tendonitis? - Correct answer-Pain even at rest and
with palpation/PROM
RTC tests - Correct answer-Hawkins-Kennedy, Neer Impingement, Jobe/Empty
Can, Biceps Speed Test
Freezing stage adhesive capsulitis treatment - Correct answer-PAIN FREE
A/PROM, preserve functional movements as much as possible
Frozen adhesive capsulitis - Correct answer-Joint mobs, gentle stretching
Thawing phase adhesive capsulitis - Correct answer-More aggressive exercise,
return to baseline
Motions lost with adhesive capsulitis - Correct answer-EROT**, followed by
abduction and IROT
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
Rehab Exam 2026 Questions and Answers
Bouchard's nodes - Correct answer-PIP joint
Heberden's nodes - Correct answer-DIP joint
What part of the joint does RA attack first? - Correct answer-Synovial fluid/lining
Chronic inactive RA - Correct answer-joint deformities and skeletal collapse
Boggy RA - Correct answer-acute phase, soft and spongy
Chronic synovitis RA - Correct answer-Firm to touch
How to assess stability arthritis - Correct answer-Stabilize proximal phalanx and
glide distal phalanx laterally/medially to address collateral ligaments; glide distal
phalanx ant/post to assess volar plate and joint capsule
Heat is contraindicated for arthritis when? - Correct answer-During an acute flare-
up
What type of exercise is contraindicated during acute phase of arthritis - Correct
answer-Resistive (do pain free gentle ROM)
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What exercise for chronic active and chronic inactive arthritis? - Correct answer-
AROM pain free, gentle resistive exercise, start with isometrics and proceed to
isotonic
Week 2-4 TSA - Correct answer-IROT/EROT PROM with cane
Week 4-6 TSA - Correct answer-Increase PROM per MD, gentle isometrics but
delay IROT until week 6
Week 6-8 TSA - Correct answer-Begin AROM, start in supine with dowel/cane
then progress to against therapy
Week 8 TSA - Correct answer-Strengthening with light resistance
Week 12 TSA - Correct answer-Begin light work and leisure skills
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty contraindicated movements - Correct answer-
Avoid internal rotation, adduction, and extension of the shoulder for 12 weeks;
some surgeons hold pendulums
Boutonniere deformity - Correct answer-PIP joint
Swan neck - Correct answer-DIP joint
Stage 1 Neer's classification of Impingement - Correct answer-Edema and
hemorrhage from excessive overhead use (reversible)
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, Stage 2 Neer's classification of impingement - Correct answer-Fibrosis and
tendinitis of the rotator cuff due to multiple occurrences of inflammation
(irreversible)
Stage 3 Neer's classification of impingement - Correct answer-Bone spurs, partial
and complete tears of the rotator cuff and/or long head of the biceps tendon
Shoulder impingement occurs.... - Correct answer-At the subacromial space
How is bursitis different than tendonitis? - Correct answer-Pain even at rest and
with palpation/PROM
RTC tests - Correct answer-Hawkins-Kennedy, Neer Impingement, Jobe/Empty
Can, Biceps Speed Test
Freezing stage adhesive capsulitis treatment - Correct answer-PAIN FREE
A/PROM, preserve functional movements as much as possible
Frozen adhesive capsulitis - Correct answer-Joint mobs, gentle stretching
Thawing phase adhesive capsulitis - Correct answer-More aggressive exercise,
return to baseline
Motions lost with adhesive capsulitis - Correct answer-EROT**, followed by
abduction and IROT
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
