CHANGING OUR DIAGNOSTIC PARADIGM: MOVEMENT SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC CLASSIFICATION.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Physical Therapy
• Movement Science

Background:

• Current musculoskeletal diagnoses often rely on pathoanatomy, which doesn't always align with physical therapy treatments focused on movement impairments or pain.
• A movement system diagnostic framework has been advocated for decades but lacks uniform development and adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a basic framework and rationale for a movement system diagnostic classification for atraumatic shoulder pain.
• To advocate for the broader development and adoption of movement system diagnostic labels in physical therapy.

Main Methods:

• The study proposes a conceptual framework and rationale for a new diagnostic classification system.
• It uses atraumatic shoulder pain as a case example to illustrate the application of this framework.

Main Results:

• The proposed framework offers a shift from pathoanatomic diagnoses to a movement system approach.
• This paradigm shift is expected to enhance communication, educational efficiency, and research facilitation.

Conclusions:

• Adopting a movement system diagnostic classification can directly link to patient function and improve clinical care.
• This approach has the potential to accelerate preventive interventions for musculoskeletal conditions.