Symptom-based Differential Diagnosis for Common Presentations in PT

1. Generalized Weakness

1.1. Musculoskeletal

1.1.1. Disuse

1.2. Neurogenic

1.2.1. Cerebral

1.2.2. Spinal

1.2.3. Peripheral

1.3. Electrolyte-induced

1.3.1. Na++

1.3.2. K*

1.3.2.1. Hyperkalemic Flaccid Paralysis

1.3.2.2. Hypokalemic Flaccid Paralysis

1.3.3. Ca**

1.3.3.1. Hypercalcemic Weakness

1.4. Cardiogenic

1.4.1. Demand Ischemia

1.4.2. Poor Exercise Tolerance in Heart Failure

1.5. Pulmonary

1.6. Hysterical

2. See Differential Diagnosis of Neurogenic Disorders here:

3. CHEST PAIN

3.1. Cardiogenic

3.1.1. Ischemia

3.1.2. Pending Infarction

3.2. Pulmonary

3.2.1. Pleuritic

3.3. Musculoskeletal

3.3.1. Costochondritis

3.3.1.1. Recreatable pain on pressure

3.3.2. Rib Fractures

4. Dizziness & Fainting

4.1. Vascular

4.2. Vestibular

4.3. Cardiac

4.4. Neurologic

4.5. Medication-related

4.5.1. Diuretics (Hypovolemia)

4.5.2. Aminoglycosides (Ototoxicity)

5. Gait Difficulty

5.1. MSK

5.2. Neurologic

5.3. Exercise Intolerance

5.4. Altered Mental Status

6. PAIN:

6.1. Inflammatory

6.1.1. Traumatic

6.1.2. Degenerative

6.1.3. Allergic

6.2. Musculoskeletal

6.3. Cardiac

6.3.1. Chest Pain

6.4. Pulmonary

6.5. Neurological

6.5.1. Nerve compression

6.5.1.1. Vascular

6.5.1.2. Tumor

6.5.1.3. Degeneration (of discs usually)

6.5.1.4. Neuromuscular disease

6.5.2. Nerve injury

6.6. Referred

6.6.1. Cortical confusion between embryologically related sites

6.6.1.1. Abdominal

6.7. Psychiatric / Behavioral

6.7.1. Malingering

6.7.1.1. Look for secondary gain

6.7.2. True Conversion

6.7.2.1. Waddell's signs