Dizziness in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice: History and Physical Examination

To facilitate differential diagnosis and screening of patients with a complaint of dizziness, we discussed in an earlier article1 a diagnostic classification system based on symptomatology and pathophysiology. This classification system included four subtypes of dizziness: vertigo, presyncope, dysequilibrium, and other dizziness. Many tests and measures that are needed for a full differential diagnostic work-up of patients presenting with dizziness are obviously outside of the physical therapy (PT) scope of practice. Many causes of dizziness discussed in that earlier article require medical-surgical management rather than or in addition to PT management. However, there is mounting evidence that conservative measures may be beneficial for a select subset of patients with dizziness. Repositioning maneuvers may decrease Dizziness in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice: History and Physical Examination