The first step in the physical examination is an evaluation of the patient's general appearance.

Our patient's general appearance is that of a healthy 16 year old young man who is holding his left arm close to his body to protect it. His left shoulder and pectoral areas are tender and movement reproduces the pain.

The first finger of the physical examination of the patient is the general appearance. This can be subdivided into two categories: the general state of the circulation, and physical appearance clues to a specific diagnosis.