Clinical Pattern Recognition: Orthopaedics

As clinical specialist who will care for clients over the life span, it is critical to be aware of fall risk in patients with conditions that may impair their balance! This includes asking two critical questions and performing some quick tests that can help with screening for fall risk:

2 key questions:

• Have you fallen in the last 12 months?

• Do you have difficulty with balance or walking?

Conduct a balance and mobility screen:

• STEADI

• 30 second chair stand test

• 4-stage balance test

• Timed up and go test

Fall risk assessment has been added into the differential diagnosis tab for these common conditions!

• Knee osteoarthritis

• Knee meniscus tears

• Hip osteoarthritis

• Ankle sprains

• Posterior tibial tendonitis

• Plantar fasciitis

• Ankle osteoarthritis

• Hallux valgus

• Hallux rigidus

• Morton's neuroma

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Special Thanks to Dr. Gregory Hartley for his input on adding this important geriatric consideration to the Clinical Pattern Recognition Apps!

This comes from the 2015 article in the Physical Therapy Journal.