Clinical Reasoning

This chapter explores the integration of patient history, observational evaluation, and physical examination to identify the underlying cause of mobility disorders. Challenges such as patient temperament, multiple comorbidities, and limitations of diagnostic imaging are discussed, highlighting the importance of clinician expertise in navigating inconclusive or conflicting findings. Case examples demonstrate the application of diagnostic reasoning, prioritizing findings from gait, posture, and functional assessments over isolated imaging or physical examination results. The chapter also introduces the creation of rehabilitation-specific problem lists and SMART goal setting to guide individualized treatment plans, ensuring relevance and measurability in rehabilitation outcomes. These frameworks enable clinicians to optimize therapeutic interventions and track progress effectively.