pGALS (paediatric Gait Arms Legs Spine)
pGALS - an evidence-based approach to basic musculoskeletal assessment and widely taught to medical students and physicians in primary care, paediatrics and orthopaedics.
- pGALS is simple, quick and easy.
- pGALS is an integral skill used within the examination of all children (...just like examining the heart, chest or abdomen!)
- pGALS is similar to adult GALS, with a few simple additional manoeuvres.
- It is important to assess all joints as the history may not localise the site of the problem.
- Check for non-verbal clues of discomfort.
- "Practice makes perfect" - opportunities to assess children's joints are numerous (consider physiotherapy outpatients and not just rheumatology clinics!)
- A 'copy me' approach is useful to help engage children in performing pGALS.
There are many resources to support pGALS teaching and learning:
- A free e-book from Versus Arthritis- this includes pGALS, V-pGALS and pREMS.
- Guidance on when to perform pGALS and Practical tips in performing pGALS.
- pGALS graphic animation demonstration.
- pGALS interactive tutorial.
- pGALS in clinical practice - see the PMM e-Modules (pGALS, Gait, Guide for Primary Care).
- Examples of abnormal pGALS findings.
- pGALS - a simple musculoskeletal assessment for children. Foster HE and Jandial S. Pediatric Rheumatology Online 2013.
- A pdf proforma - pGALS - 'Record your Findings'.
- The pGALS App - Google Play and Apple Store - with multiple language translations, explanatory notes, images, and relevant links to PMM.
A revision guide for pGALS OSCE is available from GeekyMedics.
