KnotesFree Orthopaedic & FRCS notes, viva stations and higher order SBAs

Examination equipment

High YieldApplied Basic SciencesthinKbox SBA

A practical orthopaedic examination kit should be simple and reliable.

Essential items

  • tendon hammer
  • measuring tape
  • goniometer
  • penlight or torch
  • pen or marker
  • two paper clips or a suitable two-point discrimination tool
  • tuning fork, commonly 128 Hz

Useful additions

Depending on the examination setting:

  • monofilament
  • cotton wool
  • neurotip or disposable pin
  • hand sanitiser
  • small ruler

Equipment should be checked before the examination and used consistently.

Written/reviewed by Kishore Puthezhath

Professor of Orthopaedics and Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

FRCS (Tr & Orth) revision resource

Reviewed: September 2026