GALS exam

Question 1

overall structure

Answer 1

screen

gait

arms

legs

spine

Question 2

screen

Answer 2

Do you have pain or stiffness in joints/muscles/back?

Can you dress yourself completely without any difficulty?

Do you have any problem getting up and down stairs unaided?

Question 3

general inspection

Answer 3

posterior:
- Scaring, ulceration, effusions, swelling
- Prominent or winged scapula
- Straight spine, Level iliac crests
- Muscle bulk and symmetry (Gluteal, Calf muscles)

lateral
- Normal cervical and lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis
- Abnormal knee flexion or hyperextension

Question 4

gait

Answer 4

symmetry, smoothness, ability to turn quickly

Question 5

arms

Answer 5

Look: Front observations

Move: Hands behind head (shoulder abduction and external rotation), Elbows into side with palms facing downwards

Inspect palms of hands, power grip, squeeze fingers, precision pinch, squeeze MCP joints

Question 6

legs

Answer 6

• Full knee flexion and internal rotation of hip
• Patellar tap to exclude knee effusion
• Inspect dorsum of feet
• Squeeze MTP joints

Question 7

spine

Answer 7

• Feel: Spinous processes
• Move: Trunk flexion (two fingers on lumbar spinous processes), Head lateral rotation, flexion/extension, ear to shoulder
• TMJ assessment