GALS screen
GALS screen is a medical examination used by doctors to detect problems in the general areas of Gait, Arms, Legs, and Spine. It is a quick and effective method of identifying musculoskeletal abnormalities and functional disabilities.
Overview[edit | edit source]
The GALS screen is a simple, quick, and systematic method for identifying significant musculoskeletal abnormalities. It is an acronym for Gait, Arms, Legs, and Spine, which are the key areas examined during the screening. The GALS screen is often used in primary care settings and is particularly useful in identifying early signs of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The GALS screen consists of three parts: observation of the patient's gait, examination of the arms, legs, and spine, and a brief functional assessment.
Gait[edit | edit source]
The patient is asked to walk a short distance while the doctor observes their gait. The doctor looks for any abnormalities such as limping, stiffness, or difficulty walking.
Arms[edit | edit source]
The doctor examines the patient's arms for any signs of muscle weakness, joint abnormalities, or pain. This includes checking the range of motion in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands.
Legs[edit | edit source]
The doctor examines the patient's legs, checking for any signs of muscle weakness, joint abnormalities, or pain. This includes checking the range of motion in the hips, knees, ankles, and feet.
Spine[edit | edit source]
The doctor examines the patient's spine for any signs of abnormal curvature, stiffness, or pain. This includes checking the range of motion in the neck and lower back.
Functional Assessment[edit | edit source]
The functional assessment involves asking the patient about their ability to perform daily activities. This includes questions about their ability to dress, eat, use the toilet, and perform other basic tasks.
Limitations[edit | edit source]
While the GALS screen is a useful tool for identifying musculoskeletal abnormalities, it is not a substitute for a comprehensive musculoskeletal examination. It is also not designed to identify specific diseases or conditions, but rather to identify patients who may need further evaluation.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| GALS screen Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
