Musculoskeletal

Question 1

Pain - site

Answer 1

Pattern of joint involvement?
Small/large joints?
Bilateral/symmetrical ?

Question 2

Pain - onset

Answer 2

When did it start, how (gradual)
Acute - gout
Subacute - septic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
Chronic - Osteoarthritis

Constant or episodic pain?

Question 3

Pain - Character

Answer 3

Ache
Sharp pain
Throbbing

Question 4

Pain - radiation

Answer 4

Neck pain > upper limb
Lower back pain > buttocks
Hip pain > knee

Question 5

Pain - associated symptoms

Answer 5

Stiffness/swelling, crepitus 
Erythema - increased local temperature 
Fatigue, malaise, depression
Fever (gout, sepsis)
Rashes, skin changes (psoriasis, erythema nodosum)
Nodules (rheumatoid, gout tophi)
Dry mouth, gritty eyes 
IBD - weight loss etc

Question 6

Pain - timing

Answer 6

Time of pain affects pain?
Stiffness/pain in morning?
(Rheumatoid stiff for 60+ mins, osteoarthritis <30mins)

Question 7

Pain - Exacerbating/alleviating factors

Answer 7

Exercise makes osteoarthritis worse - rheumatoid better

NSAIDs - help rheumatoid

Question 8

Pain - severity

Answer 8

Very severe - acute gout/sepsis

RA/OA - less severe

Question 9

PMHx

Answer 9

Trauma?
Recent infection? (Diabetes - infection more likely)

Psoriasis, coeliac, inflammatory bowel disease?

Autoimmune disease? Thyroid etc?