Virtual or Video-pGALS (V-pGALS)
V-pGALS aims to facilitate assessment in the context of remote / telehealth clinics.
V-pGALS includes amended / additional manoeuvres to pGALS derived from components of pREMS Hip and Spine.
The Table below lists V-pGALS components: * denotes the amends / additions to pGALS. 'TP' refers to a Telepresenter who may be a parent, carer or a health care professional.
The V-pGALS Table is available as a pdf download (checklist).
There is a pdf download V-pGALS to demonstrate the manoeuvres (graphic).
QUESTIONS |
Any pain (joint/muscle/back) scale 0-10* |
Any morning stiffness / Gelling [in minutes]* |
Difficulty with dressing or undressing? |
Difficulty walking or going up or downstairs? |
GAIT |
Standing posture: swelling, alignment, rash, deformity, wasting, posture, feet |
Walk & turn, walk on heels, walk on tiptoe: ability, foot posture, limp |
ARMS |
Observation: nails, skin, muscles, deformity |
Hold hands out straight: elbow, wrist, finger extension |
Make a fist (*‘cat claw’/‘monkey paw’): supination, full flexion fingers |
Pinch index finger & thumb: small finger joints, key grip strength |
Touch individual fingers to thumb: small finger joints, dexterity, |
TP to squeeze MCP joints*: tenderness grade (0-10) |
Hands palm to palm / back to back: wrist flexion/extension |
Reach arms up, head back: elbow, wrist, neck extension |
Hands behind neck: shoulder abduction, external rotation |
LEGS |
Observation: nails, skin / soles, muscles, posture, alignment, leg length, flat feet |
TP feels knee: at rest & on moving. Check for warmth, swelling, crepitus. If swollen ask TP if swelling feels soft (grape like) or hard (stone)? |
TP assess movement of hips: leg roll* or prone lying*(‘X’/‘W’ leg position*) |
TP assess range of movement knees: full extend and heel to buttock |
Squat*: active knee flexion, restriction at ankle |
Balance on tip toes* |
1-leg stand*: balance, Trendelenberg |
Sit cross legged & stand up*: fluency, balance, power |
SPINE |
Observation: skin, muscles, posture, normal lordosis, deformity |
Touch ear to shoulder: cervical spine lateral flexion |
Open mouth (1-3 fingers) & move jaw side-to-side* |
Bend forward and touch toes |
TP to assess sacroiliac joint tenderness [grade 0-10]* |