This document outlines the key objectives and steps in taking a history and conducting an examination of the musculoskeletal system. The objectives are to distinguish inflammatory from non-inflammatory symptoms, assess pain, and understand the impact on daily living. Examination involves identifying normality vs. abnormality, examining joints systematically, and recognizing common conditions. Key aspects of history include determining which joints are affected, onset, duration, associated symptoms, and impact on activities of daily living. Examination involves inspecting for signs like swelling, palpating for warmth and fluid, and assessing range of motion actively and passively. The GALS screening examines gait, ability to dress, and climb stairs as initial indicators of musculoskeletal problems.

1. Musculoskeletal System Taking a History and Conducting an Examination

2. Objectives: History You should be able to -Distinguish inflammatory vs non inflammatory symptoms -Take relevant histories for bone/joint/muscle/nerve problems -Assess acute and chronic pain -Understand the impact of chronic musculoskeletal condition on everyday activities

3. Objectives: Examination You should be able to -identify normality vs abnormality -Examine joints/bones in a systematic manner -Recognise common Musculoskeletal conditions -perform GALS Screening

4. Introduction Musculoskeletal problems are common -Commonest cause of long term pain -Second most common reason for consulting a Dr -Up to 20% primary care consultations -Predicted to increase with ageing population/obesity/lack of physical fitness -Bone and Joint Decade (2000-2010)

5. Inflammation: Key features Joints Warm Painful Swollen Erythema Lack of function = ROM restricted “ Synovitis”

6. Joints: history Which joints? Any precipitating event? When? (before or during/after use?) How long?-intermittent? Swollen? Stiff ?(partic. mornings/immobility) Any associated features? E.g. rashes, eye problems etc

7. Joints: history PMH: Any past history of joint problems? DH: What has been tried..any side effects? FH: Any FH of joint problems? SH: Important to understand impact on ADL

8. Features in history to distinguish between inflammatory vs non inflam. symps Mechanical Inflammatory Pain Using joint Mornings After use Improves with use Stiffness Minimal Marked Swelling None or Bony/fixed Fluid/soft tissues Variable Other Weight bearing joints Characteristic Distribution

10. GALS Screening Questions (Gait, Arms/Legs/Spine) Do you have pain or stiffness in your joints? Can you dress without difficulty? Can you walk up and down stairs? If all negative, unlikely to be significant musculoskeletal problem. These questions are helpful to an extent…

11. Examination: Joints LOOK, FEEL, MOVE Inspect Compare with other side Different shape? Swollen? Alignment, muscle wasting? Palpate Temperature Swollen? Bony or fluctuant? Move Full ROM? Active (patient does) first then passive (Dr does)

12. Examination Systematic Start with hands- Heberden’s Nodes? Psoriasis/nail changes Tophi? Wrists Elbows Nodules? Tophi? Shoulders Look At the Patient and Around the Bed Hands Behind your Back Sticks/drugs/Drips/inhalers/sputum/OT aids etc

13. Examination Hips Difficult to inspect and feel as deep Knees Patellar tap, ligamentous instability? Ankles Hinge/sub talar Feet MTP Squeeze Standing: Alignment-knees, ankles valgus/varus? Spine Cervical/Thoracic/Lumbar … Finally observe gait

21. Summary We have covered important points in History and Examination of Musculoskeletal system Introduced GALS System