MSK Subjective Assessment Flashcards
What type of pain is described as being sharp, burning or shooting
Nerve pain
What is muscle pain describe as
Dull ache, poorly localised, superficial
What is bone pain described as
Deep, boring and poorly localised
What is joint pain referred to as
Localised but referred to other areas like “deep/inside” pain
What is vascular pain described as
Diffuse, aching, poorly localised
How can pain intensity be measured
Numerical pain rating scale
Visual analogue scale
Pain diary
What factors determine if an objective assessment takes place after a subjective assessment
SIN factors (severity, irritability and nature)
What to look out for in terms of severity of pain (SIN factor)
Pain score and the impact it has on their life.
Consider what medication they’re taking and their behaviour
What to consider based on irritability in a subjective assessment (SIN factor)
How long the pain takes to come on and go away
Type of exercise/activities that make it worse and better
What to consider based in the nature of a patients pain (SIN factor)
Acute/sub-acture/chronic
Mechanical/inflammatory/central sensitisation
Source (myogenic, arthrogenic, vascular, ligamentous ect)
What are the routine special questions for MSK
Pins & needles
Numbness
Swelling
Colour
Temperature
Locking, catching, clicking or giving way
What are the special questions for lower back pain (LBP) for MSK
Pins & needles
Numbness
Bladder & Bowel functioning
Altered sensation around genitals
Effect of cough/sneeze symptoms
What are yellow flags
Indicators of factors that MAY increase the likelihood of chronic/persistent pain
What are the 7 yellow flags (ABCDEFW)
Attitudes and beliefs about pain
Behaviour
Compensation issues
Diagnosis and treatment issues
Emotions
Family
Work
What are red flags
Danger signs/symptoms that indicate the possible PRESENCE of serious pathology
What are the red flags to be aware of for MSK
Cancer
Infection
Trauma/fracture
Systemic/inflammatory
Cauda equina syndrome/myelopathy
What questions would to ask around cancer
History of cancer in themselves
Strong family history
Unexpected weight loss
General feeling of unwell
Constant non-mechanical pain
What questions would you ask around infection?
Recent surgery or open wound
High temperature
Generally feeling unwell
What questions would you ask around trauma/fractures
What age occurred at?
Use of any steroids
Any past medical history of osteoporosis / penia
What questions would you ask around systemically/inflammatory
Fever
Temperature
AM stiffness
Improves of activity and worsen with rest
What questions would you ask around cauda equina syndrome
Retention of urine
Loss of anal tone or bowel incontinence
Saddle anaesthesia
Bilat leg pain / worsening neuro
Erectile / sexual dysfunction
What subheadings would you use in a MSK subjective assessment
Introduce yourself, ask for consent and what they’d like to be called
PC
HPC
PMH
DH
SH/FH
Special questions, type of pain, intensity and SIN factors
Aggs and eases
Red and yellow flags
