Musculoskeletal Care

This collection features AFP content deemed current by the AFP online medical editor on musculoskeletal care and related issues, including fracture management, joint aspiration, joint injections, pain in various parts of the body (foot and ankle; neck and back; hip; knee; arm and shoulder; and wrist and hand). New research may affect the interpretation and application of this material. Clinical judgment is advised. Note that AFP content published within the past 12 months is accessible to AAFP members and paid subscribers only.

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Last Update: 04/15/2013

Joint Injections/Aspiration Fracture Management Foot and Ankle Neck and Back Hip Knee

Arm and Shoulder Wrist and Hand Athletic and Child/Adolescent Conditions Editorials and Letters Improving Practice Patient Education, Self-Care

Joint Injections/Aspiration

• Musculoskeletal Injections: A Review of the Evidence (10/15/2008)
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Ankle and Foot (10/01/2003)
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Hip and Knee (05/15/2003)
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Wrist and Hand Region (02/15/2003)
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Elbow Region (12/01/2002)
• Knee Joint Aspiration and Injection (10/15/2002)
• Joint and Soft Tissue Injection (07/15/2002)

Fracture Management

• Common Finger Fractures and Dislocations (04/15/2012)
• Stress Fractures: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention (01/01/2011)
• Common Forearm Fractures in Adults (11/15/2009)
• Splints and Casts: Indications and Methods (09/01/2009)
• Principles of Casting and Splinting (01/01/2009)
• Clavicle Fractures (01/01/2008)
• Diagnosis and Management of Metatarsal Fractures (09/15/2007)
• Diagnosis and Management of Scaphoid Fractures (09/01/2004)
• Evaluation and Management of Toe Fractures (12/15/2003)
• Tarsal Navicular Stress Fractures (01/01/2003)
• Foot Fractures That Are Frequently Misdiagnosed As Ankle Sprains (09/01/2002)

Foot and Ankle

• Update on Acute Ankle Sprains (06/15/2012)
• Diagnosis of Heel Pain (10/15/2011)
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (09/15/2011)
• Tendinopathies of the Foot and Ankle (11/15/2009)
• NSAIDs vs. Acetaminophen for the Treatment of Ankle Sprains [AFP Journal Club] (12/01/2007)
• Radiologic Evaluation of Chronic Foot Pain (10/01/2007)
• Evaluating the Patient with an Ankle or Foot Injury [Point-of-Care Guides] (10/15/2004)

Neck and Back

• Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain (02/15/2012)
• Low Back Pain (Chronic) [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (08/15/2011)
• Radiologic Evaluation of Chronic Neck Pain (10/15/2010)
• Cervical Radiculopathy: Nonoperative Management of Neck Pain and Radicular Symptoms (01/01/2010)
• Chronic Low Back Pain: Evaluation and Management (06/15/2009)
• Predicting Benefit of Spinal Manipulation for Low Back Pain [Point-of-Care Guides] (02/15/2009)
• Acute Lumbar Disk Pain: Navigating Evaluation and Treatment Choices (10/01/2008)
• Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Return to Work (11/15/2007)
• Treatment of Acute Sciatica [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (01/01/2007)
• Acute Low Back Pain [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (09/01/2006)
• Herniated Lumbar Disk [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (04/01/2006)
• Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Low Back Pain in Adults: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force] (06/15/2005)
• Neck Pain [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (01/01/2005)
• Neuroimaging in Low Back Pain (06/01/2002)

Hip

• Evaluation of Hip Pain in Older Adults [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (08/15/2012)
• Hip Impingement: Identifying and Treating a Common Cause of Hip Pain (12/15/2009)

Knee

• Exercise for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (09/01/2011)
• Clinical Significance of Meniscal Damage on Knee MRI [AFP Journal Club] (05/15/2011)
• Reducing ACL Injuries in Female Athletes [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (01/15/2011)
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention (10/15/2010)
• Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (06/01/2011)
• Arthroscopic Surgery for Knee Osteoarthritis [Cochrane for Clinicians] (08/01/2008)
• Management of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (01/15/2007)
• Intra-articular Corticosteroid for Treating Osteoarthritis of the Knee [Cochrane for Clinicians] (10/01/2005)
• Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A Common Source of Knee Pain (04/15/2005)
• Evaluating the Patient with a Knee Injury [Point-of-Care Guides] (03/15/2005)
• Evaluation of Patients Presenting with Knee Pain: Part II. Differential Diagnosis (09/01/2003)
• Evaluation of Patients Presenting with Knee Pain: Part I. History, Physical Examination, Radiographs, and Laboratory Tests (09/01/2003)
• Acute Knee Effusions: A Systematic Approach to Diagnosis (04/15/2000)
• Knee Braces: Current Evidence and Clinical Recommendations for Their Use (01/15/2000)
• Acute Knee Injuries: Use of Decision Rules for Selective Radiograph Ordering (12/01/1999)
• Acute Knee Effusions: A Systematic Approach to Diagnosis (04/15/2000)
• Knee Braces: Current Evidence and Clinical Recommendations for Their Use (01/15/2000)
• Acute Knee Injuries: Use of Decision Rules for Selective Radiograph Ordering (12/01/1999)

Arm and Shoulder

• Adhesive Capsulitis: A Review (02/15/2011)
• Shoulder Pain [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (01/15/2011)
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Biceps Tendinitis and Tendinosis (09/01/2009)
• Chronic Shoulder Pain: Part II. Treatment (02/15/2008)
• Chronic Shouler Pain Part I: Evaluation and Diagnosis (02/15/2008)
• Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis (09/15/2007)
• Tennis Elbow [Clinical Evidence Handbook] (03/01/2007)
• Diagnosing Rotator Cuff Tears [Point-of-Care Guides] (04/15/2005)
• Acute Shoulder Injuries (11/15/2004)
• Acute Brachial Plexus Neuritis: An Uncommon Cause of Shoulder Pain (11/01/2000)
• The Painful Shoulder: Part II. Acute and Chronic Disorders (06/01/2000)
• The Painful Shoulder: Part I. Clinical Evaluation. (05/15/2000)
• Evaluation of Overuse Elbow Injuries (02/01/2000)
• Management of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome and Rotator Cuff Tears (02/15/1998)

Wrist and Hand

• Evaluation and Diagnosis of Wrist Pain: A Case-Based Approach (04/15/2013)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (04/15/2011)
• Acute Finger Injuries: Part II. Fractures, Dislocations, and Thumb Injuries (03/01/2006)
• Acute Finger Injuries: Part I. Tendons and Ligaments (03/01/2006)
• A Clinical Approach to Diagnosing Wrist Pain (11/01/2005)
• Hand and Wrist Injuries: Part II. Emergent Evaluation (04/15/2004)
• Hand and Wrist Injuries: Part I. Nonemergent Evaluation (04/15/2004)
• Fingertip Injuries (05/15/2001)

Athletic and Child/Adolescent Conditions

• Management of Chronic Tendon Injuries (04/01/2013)
• Managing Intoeing in Children [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] (10/15/2011)
• Osteochondrosis: Common Causes of Pain in Growing Bones (02/01/2011)
• Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: Diagnosis and Management (08/01/2010)
• Health-Related Concerns of the Female Athlete: A Lifespan Approach (03/15/2009)
• Evaluation of Back Pain in Children and Adolescents (12/01/2007)
• Common Problems in Endurance Athletes (07/15/2007)
• The Athlete Preparticipation Evaluation: Cardiovascular Assessment (04/01/2007)
• Management of Head and Neck Injuries by the Sideline Physician (10/15/2006)
• Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Children: Part I. Initial Evaluation (07/01/2006)
• Prevention and Treatment of Common Eye Injuries in Sports (04/01/2003)
• Common Conditions of the Achilles Tendon (05/01/2002)
• Groin Injuries in Athletes (10/15/2001)
• Osteochondritis Dissecans: A Diagnosis Not to Miss (01/01/2000)
• Cardiovascular Screening of Student Athletes (08/15/2000)
• The Female Athlete Triad (06/01/2000)
• Exercise-Related Syncope in the Young Athlete: Reassurance, Restriction or Referral? (11/01/1999)
• The "Burner": A Common Nerve Injury in Contact Sports (11/01/1999)
• Shoulder Instability in Young Athletes (05/15/1999)
• Snowboarding Injuries (01/01/1999)
• Sudden Death in Young Athletes: Screening for the Needle in a Haystack (06/01/1998)
• Commonly Missed Orthopedic Problems (01/15/1998)

Editorials and Letters

• Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain? Yes: Evidence Shows Benefit in Most Patients [Editorials] (04/15/2012)
• Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain? Yes: Spinal Manipulation Is a Useful Adjunct Therapy [Editorials] (04/15/2012)
• Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain? No: Evidence Shows No Clinically Significant Benefit Over Watchful Waiting [Editorials] (04/15/2012)
• Appropriate Use of MRI for Evaluating Common Musculoskeletal Conditions [Editorials] (04/15/2011)
• Acupuncture May Be Helpful for Patients with Plantar Fasciitis [Letters to the Editor] (05/15/2012)

Improving Practice

From Family Practice Management

AAFP's Journal of Practice Improvement

• Sports Physicals: A Coding Conundrum (10/01/2006)

Patient Education, Self-Care

• How to Care for Your Ankle Sprain (06/15/2012)
• Plantar Fasciitis (09/15/2011)
• Knee Osteoarthritis (06/01/2011)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (04/15/2011)
• Adhesive Capsulitis (02/15/2011)
• Stress Fractures (01/01/2011)
• ACL Injuries (10/15/2010)

From FamilyDoctor.org

AAFP's Patient Education Resource

• Lifting Safety: Tips to Help Prevent Back Injuries
• Low Back Pain
• Rotator Cuff Exercises
• Shoulder Instability
• Shoulder Pain
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis
• Hip Fractures
• Transient Synovitis of the Hip