Wednesday, February 7, 2024

GALS ASSESSMENT - ARM, LEG AND SPINE EXAMINATION SCHEME

 1. Shoulder Joint:

   - Inspection:

      - Observe for deformities, swelling, or muscle wasting.

   - Palpation:

      - Check for tenderness, bony abnormalities, and warmth.

   - Range of Motion (ROM):

      - Assess forward flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation.

   -Muscle Strength:

      - Test deltoid, rotator cuff muscles.

   - Special Tests:

      - Neer's Test: Assesses impingement.

      - Hawkins-Kennedy Test: Checks for impingement.

      - Empty Can Test: Evaluates supraspinatus strength.


2. Elbow Joint:

   - Inspection:

      - Look for deformities, swelling, or muscle atrophy.

   - Palpation:

      - Assess for tenderness, bony abnormalities.

   - ROM:

      - Evaluate flexion, extension, pronation, supination.

   - Muscle Strength:

      - Test flexors and extensors.

   - Special Tests:

      - Tinel's Sign: Checks for ulnar nerve compression.

      - Cozen's Test: Screens for lateral epicondylitis.

      - Varus and Valgus Stress Tests: Assess ligament stability.


 3. Wrist and Hand Joints:

   - Inspection:

      - Observe for swelling, deformities, or muscle wasting.

   - Palpation:

      - Check for tenderness, nodules, and warmth.

   - ROM:

      - Assess flexion, extension, abduction, adduction.

   - Muscle Strength:

      - Test grip strength, finger movements.

   - Special Tests:

      - Phalen's Test: Screens for carpal tunnel syndrome.

      - Finkelstein Test: Checks for De Quervain's tenosynovitis.

      - Tinel's Sign at the wrist: Evaluates median nerve compression.


4. Hip Joint:

   - Inspection:

      - Look for gait abnormalities, limb length discrepancy.

   - Palpation:

      - Assess for tenderness, muscle bulk, and bony landmarks.

   - ROM:

      - Evaluate flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation.

   - Muscle Strength:

      - Test hip flexors, extensors, abductors, and rotators.

   - Special Tests:

      - Thomas Test: Assesses hip flexor tightness.

      - Trendelenburg Test: Screens for hip abductor weakness.

      - FABER Test (Patrick's Test): Checks for hip pathology.


 5. Knee Joint:

   - Inspection:

      - Observe for swelling, deformities, and alignment.

   - Palpation:

      - Check for joint line tenderness, effusion, and bony landmarks.

   - ROM:

      - Assess flexion, extension, and rotation.

   - Muscle Strength:

      - Test quadriceps and hamstrings.

   - Special Tests:

      - Lachman Test: Evaluates anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

      - McMurray Test: Assesses meniscal tears.

      - Varus and Valgus Stress Tests: Evaluate ligament stability.


 6. Ankle and Foot Joints:

   - Inspection:

      - Look for deformities, swelling, and gait abnormalities.

   - Palpation:

      - Assess for tenderness, warmth, and bony landmarks.

   - ROM

      - Evaluate dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, eversion.

   - Muscle Strength:

      - Test dorsiflexors, plantarflexors, invertors, and evertors.

   - Special Tests:

      - Thompson Test: Checks for Achilles tendon integrity.

      - Talar Tilt Test: Evaluates ankle ligament stability.

      - Morton's Test: Screens for Morton's neuroma.


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