GALS examination

Question 1

Key screening questions to detect rheumatological disease?

Answer 1

Have you got any pain/stiffness in muscles, joint or back?

Can you dress yourself completely without difficulty?

Can you walk up and down stairs without difficulty?

Question 2

What does GALS stand for?

Answer 2

Gait
Arms
Legs
Spine

Question 3

Descirbe a DETAILED examination of abnormal joints

Answer 3

Inspection - swelling, redness, deformity
Palpation - warmth, tenderness, crepitus
Movement - active, passive, against resistance
Function - loss of function?

Question 4

Arthritis vs arthralgia?

Answer 4

Arthritis = definite inflammation of a joint
Arthralgia = pain in joint WITHOUT demonstrable inflammation by examination

Question 5

Main features of active inflammation in clinical practice?

Answer 5

Tumor (swelling)

Dolor (tenderness)

Question 6

Define gout

Answer 6

Tissue deposition of MSU crystals as a result of hyperuricaemia
Leads to gouty arthritis and/or tophi

Commonly affects first MTP joint (big toe)

Example of acute joint inflammation

Question 7

Other important diagnostic features?

Answer 7

Rheumatoid NODULES in rheumatoid arthritis

TOPHI in gout

Question 8

Define subluxation

Answer 8

PARTIAL dislocation of joint or organ

Question 9

Define synovitis

Answer 9

Inflammation of synovial membrane lining synovial joints