OCS: Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
OCS - ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICAL SPECIALIST | BOARD-CERTIFIED CLINICAL
SPECIALIST IN ORTHOPAEDIC PHYSICAL THERAPY | EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED OCS LATEST 2026/2027
ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICAL SPECIALIST (OCS)
1. Which structure is the primary static restraint to anterior translation
of the humeral head with the arm abducted to 90° and fully externally
rotated?
A. Posterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament
B. Coracohumeral ligament
C. Anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament
D. Superior glenohumeral ligament
C. Anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament
In abduction and external rotation the anterior band of the inferior
glenohumeral ligament tightens and forms a sling under the humeral
head.
Page 1
, OCS: Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
2. During which phase of soft tissue healing is type III collagen
predominantly deposited?
A. Remodeling phase
B. Proliferative phase
C. Hemostasis phase
D. Inflammatory phase
B. Proliferative phase
Fibroblasts lay down type III collagen from about day 4 to day 21, and it
is later replaced by stronger type I collagen during remodeling.
3. Fibrocartilaginous soft callus formation is characteristic of which
stage of fracture healing?
A. Reparative stage
B. Hematoma induction stage
C. Inflammatory stage
D. Remodeling stage
A. Reparative stage
The reparative stage produces soft callus in the first weeks, which is
then converted to woven bone as hard callus.
4. Wolff's law states that:
A. Bone density is determined only by hormonal status
B. Bone heals fastest under complete immobilization
C. Bone adapts its structure to the loads placed upon it
D. Articular cartilage regenerates when unloaded
C. Bone adapts its structure to the loads placed upon it
Bone remodels along lines of mechanical stress, which is why
progressive loading is used to restore bone strength.
Page 2
, OCS: Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
5. Davis's law is best summarized as:
A. Soft tissue remodels along the lines of the demands imposed on it
B. Ligaments adapt only to compressive loads
C. Muscle length is fixed after skeletal maturity
D. Tendons remodel only when fully rested
A. Soft tissue remodels along the lines of the demands imposed on
it
Soft tissue models itself in response to the direction and magnitude of
applied stress.
6. Which clinical test is most sensitive for detecting an acute ACL
rupture?
A. Posterior sag sign
B. Anterior drawer test at 90° of flexion
C. Valgus stress test at 30°
D. Lachman test
D. Lachman test
The Lachman test has higher sensitivity than the anterior drawer, while
the pivot shift is the most specific but is limited by guarding.
7. A positive posterior sag sign indicates injury to which structure?
A. Anterior cruciate ligament
B. Posterior cruciate ligament
C. Lateral meniscus
D. Medial collateral ligament
B. Posterior cruciate ligament
In 90° of hip and knee flexion the tibia sags posteriorly when the PCL is
incompetent.
Page 3
, OCS: Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
8. According to the Ottawa ankle rules, radiographs are indicated when
there is malleolar zone pain and:
A. Lateral ankle swelling only
B. A positive anterior drawer test
C. Pain with passive dorsiflexion only
D. Bone tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of either malleolus
D. Bone tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of either malleolus
Bone tenderness over the distal 6 cm of the posterior edge or tip of a
malleolus, or inability to bear weight for four steps, triggers imaging.
9. Which is a criterion in the Ottawa knee rules?
A. Age 55 years or older
B. Age 40 years or older
C. Presence of a joint effusion
D. Positive McMurray test
A. Age 55 years or older
Age 55 or older, isolated patellar tenderness, fibular head tenderness,
inability to flex to 90°, or inability to bear weight for four steps.
10. Which finding is a high-risk factor in the Canadian C-spine rule that
mandates imaging?
A. Sitting position in the emergency department
B. Simple rear-end motor vehicle collision
C. Delayed onset of neck pain
D. Age 65 years or older
D. Age 65 years or older
Age of 65 or more, dangerous mechanism, or paresthesias in the
extremities are high-risk factors, while the other options are low-risk
factors.
Page 4
OCS - ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICAL SPECIALIST | BOARD-CERTIFIED CLINICAL
SPECIALIST IN ORTHOPAEDIC PHYSICAL THERAPY | EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED OCS LATEST 2026/2027
ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICAL SPECIALIST (OCS)
1. Which structure is the primary static restraint to anterior translation
of the humeral head with the arm abducted to 90° and fully externally
rotated?
A. Posterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament
B. Coracohumeral ligament
C. Anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament
D. Superior glenohumeral ligament
C. Anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament
In abduction and external rotation the anterior band of the inferior
glenohumeral ligament tightens and forms a sling under the humeral
head.
Page 1
, OCS: Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
2. During which phase of soft tissue healing is type III collagen
predominantly deposited?
A. Remodeling phase
B. Proliferative phase
C. Hemostasis phase
D. Inflammatory phase
B. Proliferative phase
Fibroblasts lay down type III collagen from about day 4 to day 21, and it
is later replaced by stronger type I collagen during remodeling.
3. Fibrocartilaginous soft callus formation is characteristic of which
stage of fracture healing?
A. Reparative stage
B. Hematoma induction stage
C. Inflammatory stage
D. Remodeling stage
A. Reparative stage
The reparative stage produces soft callus in the first weeks, which is
then converted to woven bone as hard callus.
4. Wolff's law states that:
A. Bone density is determined only by hormonal status
B. Bone heals fastest under complete immobilization
C. Bone adapts its structure to the loads placed upon it
D. Articular cartilage regenerates when unloaded
C. Bone adapts its structure to the loads placed upon it
Bone remodels along lines of mechanical stress, which is why
progressive loading is used to restore bone strength.
Page 2
, OCS: Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
5. Davis's law is best summarized as:
A. Soft tissue remodels along the lines of the demands imposed on it
B. Ligaments adapt only to compressive loads
C. Muscle length is fixed after skeletal maturity
D. Tendons remodel only when fully rested
A. Soft tissue remodels along the lines of the demands imposed on
it
Soft tissue models itself in response to the direction and magnitude of
applied stress.
6. Which clinical test is most sensitive for detecting an acute ACL
rupture?
A. Posterior sag sign
B. Anterior drawer test at 90° of flexion
C. Valgus stress test at 30°
D. Lachman test
D. Lachman test
The Lachman test has higher sensitivity than the anterior drawer, while
the pivot shift is the most specific but is limited by guarding.
7. A positive posterior sag sign indicates injury to which structure?
A. Anterior cruciate ligament
B. Posterior cruciate ligament
C. Lateral meniscus
D. Medial collateral ligament
B. Posterior cruciate ligament
In 90° of hip and knee flexion the tibia sags posteriorly when the PCL is
incompetent.
Page 3
, OCS: Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
8. According to the Ottawa ankle rules, radiographs are indicated when
there is malleolar zone pain and:
A. Lateral ankle swelling only
B. A positive anterior drawer test
C. Pain with passive dorsiflexion only
D. Bone tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of either malleolus
D. Bone tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of either malleolus
Bone tenderness over the distal 6 cm of the posterior edge or tip of a
malleolus, or inability to bear weight for four steps, triggers imaging.
9. Which is a criterion in the Ottawa knee rules?
A. Age 55 years or older
B. Age 40 years or older
C. Presence of a joint effusion
D. Positive McMurray test
A. Age 55 years or older
Age 55 or older, isolated patellar tenderness, fibular head tenderness,
inability to flex to 90°, or inability to bear weight for four steps.
10. Which finding is a high-risk factor in the Canadian C-spine rule that
mandates imaging?
A. Sitting position in the emergency department
B. Simple rear-end motor vehicle collision
C. Delayed onset of neck pain
D. Age 65 years or older
D. Age 65 years or older
Age of 65 or more, dangerous mechanism, or paresthesias in the
extremities are high-risk factors, while the other options are low-risk
factors.
Page 4
