MSK clinical assessment Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 3 screening questions you must ask whilst taking an MSK history?
A
- Do you have any pain or stiffness in your joints or back?
- Can you dress yourself completely without difficulty?
- Can you walk up and down stairs without difficulty?
2
Q
What symptom do patients most commonly present with to GP etc?
A
Pain
3
Q
Common MSK symptoms
A
- Pain
- Dysaesthesiae (peripehral neuropathy) - abnormal sensation
- Weakness
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Reduced range of motion
- Deformity
- Discolouration i.e redness, pallor, bruising
4
Q
When taking a history what might you want to know about a patient’s typical day?
A
- Wake at normal time or waken by pain?
- How are they first thing in the morning?
- Is pain /swelling/stiffness at its worst?
- Can they dress themselves okay?
- Cut their own toenails?
- Get in and out of the bath?
5
Q
Red flags from the history that suggest serious pathology i.e tumour, infection etc
A
- Severe and worsening pain
- Night pain disturbing sleep
- Non-mechanical pain
- General malaise, febrile, rigors
- Unexplained weight loss, anorexia, night sweats
- Past history of malignant disease
6
Q
What is the GALS screen?
A
A rapid screen for MSK and neurological deficits and functional ability It is part of the systematic examination Gait, arms, legs, spine
7
Q
Look
A
