From: Validation of the GALS musculoskeletal screening exam for use in primary care: a pilot study
GAIT |
• Symmetry & smoothness of movement |
• Stride length & mechanics |
• Ability to turn normally & quickly |
ARMS (Hands) |
• Wrist/finger swelling/deformity |
• Squeeze across 2nd to 5th metacarpals for tenderness (indicates synovitis) |
• Turn hands over, inspect muscle wasting & forearm pronation/supination |
ARMS (Grip Strength) |
• Power grip (tight fist) |
• Precision grip (oppose each finger to thumb) |
ARMS (Elbows) |
• Full extension |
ARMS (Shoulders) |
• Abduction & external rotation of shoulders |
LEGS (Feet) |
• Squeeze across metatarsals for tenderness (indicates synovitis) |
• Calluses |
LEGS (Knees) |
• Knee swelling/deformity, effusion |
• Quadriceps muscle bulk |
• Crepitus during passive knee flexion |
LEGS (Hips) |
• Check internal rotation of hips |
SPINE (Inspection from behind) |
• Shoulders & iliac crest height symmetry |
• Scoliosis |
• Paraspinal, shoulder, buttocks, thighs & calves muscles normal |
• Popliteal or hind foot swelling or deformity |
SPINE (Inspection from front) |
• Quadriceps normal in bulk & symmetry |
• Swelling or at Varus or valgus deformity at knee |
• Forefoot of midfoot deformity, action normal |
• Ear against shoulder on either side to check lateral cervical spine flexion |
• Hands behind head with elbows back (check rotator cuff muscles, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular & elbow joints) |
SPINE (Inspection from side) |
• Normal thoracic & lumbar lordosis |
• Normal cervical kyphosis |
• Normal flexion (lumbosacral rhythm from lumbar lordosis to kyphosis) while touching toes |
SPINE (Trigger point tenderness) |
• Supraspinatus muscle tenderness (exaggerated response) |