Introduction
General examination can reveal abnormalities in a number of systems which may assist in making an accurate diagnosis.
Disorders of gait, speech and mood should be apparent on first meeting the patient and during the consultation process. Dyspnoea may be observed and abnormal movements, including tremor or paucity of facial expression, should be noted.
During the general examination, obvious features of systemic disease in one site should be correlated with signs elsewhere.
Hands
Note
- joint disorders – arthritis, gout, deformity
- neuromuscular changes – muscle wasting, loss of function
- skin temperature
![img](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/circ.gif)
![img](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/circ-3.gif)
- fingers
![img](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/circ-6.gif)
![img](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/circ-11.gif)
![img](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/circ-24.gif)
- nails
![img](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/circ-32.gif)
![img](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/circ-39.gif)
![img](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/circ-42.gif)
- clubbing – swelling of the ends of the fingers with increased curvature of the nails and loss of the angle at the nail beds
- palmar erythema
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- tremor
![img](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/circ-46.gif)
![img](/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/circ-57.gif)
![](https://freepngimg.com/download/social_media/63059-media-icons-telegram-twitter-blog-computer-social.png)
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
![](https://clinicalpub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/256.png)
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
![](https://videdental.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/appstore.png)
![](https://videdental.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/google-play.png)