In TOTAPS, which step involves physically examining the injured area by touch?

• A. Touch
• B. Talk
• C. Active movement
• D. Skills test

Answer: (A)

Touch in TOTAPS is the palpation step, where you physically examine the injured area with your hands. Palpation helps you locate exactly where the pain is coming from and pick up signs such as tenderness, swelling, warmth, deformity, orPossible crepitus. Do this methodically: start away from the injury and gradually work toward it, applying gentle pressure and then deeper pressure as appropriate, while comparing with the uninjured side if possible. This hands-on check answers important questions about the injury that you can’t get from talking or watching alone.

The other stages are about different information: talking with the athlete gathers history and symptoms, observing looks for visible signs like swelling or deformity, active movement has the athlete move the joint themselves, and the skills test checks how the injury affects functional tasks.