AFP BY TOPIC

Musculoskeletal Care

Editors' Choice of Best Available Content

This collection features the best content from AFP, as identified by the AFP editors, 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 two years is accessible to AAFP members and paid subscribers only.

Categories

General

Joint Injections/Aspiration

Athletic and Child/Adolescent Conditions

Editorials and Letters

Improving Practice

Patient Education, Self-Care

General
04/15/2021	Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders
02/01/2021	Telemedicine Management of Musculoskeletal Issues
12/01/2020	Management of Acute Pain from Non–Low Back Musculoskeletal Injuries: Guidelines from AAFP and ACP [Practice Guidelines]
Joint Injections/Aspiration
12/01/2021	Trigger Finger: Safety and Effectiveness of NSAID vs. Steroid Injection Therapy [Cochrane for Clinicians]
11/01/2021	Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Injections for Trigger Finger [Medicine by the Numbers]
10/15/2015	Corticosteroid Injections for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions
10/01/2013	Ultrasound-Guided Steroid Injections for Shoulder Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
10/01/2003	Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Ankle and Foot
05/15/2003	Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Hip and Knee
02/15/2003	Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Wrist and Hand Region
12/01/2002	Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Elbow Region
10/15/2002	Knee Joint Aspiration and Injection
07/15/2002	Joint and Soft Tissue Injection
Fracture Management
04/01/2022	Splint vs. Cast for Forearm Buckle Fracture in Children [Medicine by the Numbers] new
03/01/2022	Thumb Spica Casts for Scaphoid Fractures [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries] new
03/15/2021	Common Fractures of the Radius and Ulna
02/01/2016	Diagnosis and Management of Common Foot Fractures
04/15/2020	Ketorolac vs. Morphine for Pain Relief After Fractures [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
04/15/2012	Common Finger Fractures and Dislocations
01/01/2011	Stress Fractures: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
09/01/2009	Splints and Casts: Indications and Methods
01/01/2009	Principles of Casting and Splinting
01/01/2008	Clavicle Fractures
09/15/2007	Diagnosis and Management of Metatarsal Fractures
09/01/2004	Diagnosis and Management of Scaphoid Fractures
12/15/2003	Evaluation and Management of Toe Fractures
01/01/2003	Tarsal Navicular Stress Fractures
09/01/2002	Foot Fractures That Are Frequently Misdiagnosed As Ankle Sprains
Foot and Ankle
05/01/2022	Tendinopathies of the Foot and Ankle new
03/01/2021	Platelet-Rich Plasma vs. Corticosteroids for Refractory Plantar Fasciitis [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
06/15/2019	Plantar Fasciitis
09/01/2018	Common Foot Problems: Over-the-Counter Treatments and Home Care
05/01/2018	Charcot Foot: Clinical Clues, Diagnostic Strategies, and Treatment Principles
02/01/2018	Injected Corticosteroids for Plantar Heel Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
01/15/2018	Heel Pain: Diagnosis and Management
06/01/2015	Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
06/15/2012	Update on Acute Ankle Sprains
12/01/2007	NSAIDs vs. Acetaminophen for the Treatment of Ankle Sprains [AFP Journal Club]
10/01/2007	Radiologic Evaluation of Chronic Foot Pain
10/15/2004	Evaluating the Patient with an Ankle or Foot Injury [Point-of-Care Guides]
Neck and Back
03/01/2022	Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment new
04/01/2021	Epidural Corticosteroid Injections for Lumbosacral Radicular Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
12/15/2020	Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Recognition and Management
08/01/2020	Neck Pain: Initial Evaluation and Management
09/01/2019	Gabapentin for Treatment of Radicular Low Back Pain [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
08/01/2019	Chronic Neck Pain: Nonpharmacologic Treatment [Implementing AHRQ Effective Health Care Reviews]
02/15/2019	Manipulative Therapies: What Works
10/01/2018	Mechanical Low Back Pain
07/15/2018	Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
09/15/2017	Low Back Pain: American College of Physicians Practice Guideline on Noninvasive Treatments [Practice Guidelines]
09/01/2017	Noninvasive Treatments for Low Back Pain [Implementing AHRQ Effective Health Care Reviews]
05/01/2016	Nonoperative Management of Cervical Radiculopathy
04/01/2016	Pilates for the Treatment of Low Back Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
02/01/2016	Cyclobenzaprine in the Treatment of Low Back Pain [Medicine by the Numbers]
05/15/2015	Common Questions About Chronic Low Back Pain
05/01/2015	Treatments for Sciatica [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
07/15/2013	Epidural Steroids for Sciatica Minimally Effective in the Short Term [POEMs]
02/15/2012	Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain
08/15/2011	Low Back Pain (Chronic) [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
10/15/2010	Radiologic Evaluation of Chronic Neck Pain
02/15/2009	Predicting Benefit of Spinal Manipulation for Low Back Pain [Point-of-Care Guides]
10/01/2008	Acute Lumbar Disk Pain: Navigating Evaluation and Treatment Choices
11/15/2007	Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Return to Work
09/01/2006	Acute Low Back Pain [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
04/01/2006	Herniated Lumbar Disk [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
03/01/2022	Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and Back Pain new
Hip
01/15/2021	Hip Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis
08/15/2012	Evaluation of Hip Pain in Older Adults [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
12/15/2009	Hip Impingement: Identifying and Treating a Common Cause of Hip Pain
Knee
10/01/2020	Patellofemoral Pain: Guidelines from the American Physical Therapy Association [Practice Guidelines]
01/15/2019	Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
11/15/2018	Braces and Splints for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions
11/01/2018	Knee Pain in Adults and Adolescents: The Initial Evaluation
02/01/2018	Effectiveness of ACL Injury Prevention Programs [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
11/15/2015	Nonsurgical Management of Knee Pain in Adults
08/01/2015	Management of ACL Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline from the AAOS [Practice Guidelines]
02/01/2012	Evaluating Acutely Injured Patients for Internal Derangement of the Knee
09/01/2011	Exercise for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
05/15/2011	Clinical Significance of Meniscal Damage on Knee MRI [AFP Journal Club]
01/15/2011	Reducing ACL Injuries in Female Athletes [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
10/15/2010	Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention
06/01/2011	Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
08/01/2008	Arthroscopic Surgery for Knee Osteoarthritis [Cochrane for Clinicians]
10/01/2005	Intra-articular Corticosteroid for Treating Osteoarthritis of the Knee [Cochrane for Clinicians]
04/15/2005	Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A Common Source of Knee Pain
03/15/2005	Evaluating the Patient with a Knee Injury [Point-of-Care Guides]
02/01/2016	Pes Anserine Bursitis: An Underdiagnosed Cause of Knee Pain in Overweight Women [Letters to the Editor]
Arm and Shoulder
05/01/2022	Kinesiology Taping for Rotator Cuff Disease [Cochrane for Clinicians] new
07/01/2021	Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation: Surgical vs. Conservative Interventions [Cochrane for Clinicians]
03/01/2019	Adhesive Capsulitis: Diagnosis and Management
11/01/2017	History and Physical Examination for Identifying Rotator Cuff Tears [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
02/15/2017	Common Superficial Bursitis
12/01/2016	Rotator Cuff Disease: Diagnostic Tests [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
07/15/2016	Acute Shoulder Injuries in Adults
04/01/2014	Common Conditions in the Overhead Athlete
01/15/2011	Shoulder Pain [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
09/01/2009	Diagnosis and Treatment of Biceps Tendinitis and Tendinosis
02/15/2008	Chronic Shoulder Pain: Part II. Treatment
02/15/2008	Chronic Shouler Pain Part I: Evaluation and Diagnosis
09/15/2007	Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis
03/01/2007	Tennis Elbow [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
04/15/2005	Diagnosing Rotator Cuff Tears [Point-of-Care Guides]
11/01/2000	Acute Brachial Plexus Neuritis: An Uncommon Cause of Shoulder Pain
06/01/2000	The Painful Shoulder: Part II. Acute and Chronic Disorders
05/15/2000	The Painful Shoulder: Part I. Clinical Evaluation.
04/15/2014	Evaluation of Elbow Pain in Adults
Wrist and Hand
06/15/2018	Treatments for de Quervain Tenosynovitis [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
12/15/2016	Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management
11/15/2016	Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
04/15/2013	Evaluation and Diagnosis of Wrist Pain: A Case-Based Approach
03/01/2006	Acute Finger Injuries: Part II. Fractures, Dislocations, and Thumb Injuries
03/01/2006	Acute Finger Injuries: Part I. Tendons and Ligaments
11/01/2005	A Clinical Approach to Diagnosing Wrist Pain
04/15/2004	Hand and Wrist Injuries: Part II. Emergent Evaluation
04/15/2004	Hand and Wrist Injuries: Part I. Nonemergent Evaluation
05/15/2001	Fingertip Injuries
Athletic and Child/Adolescent Conditions
03/01/2022	Appropriate Use of Electrocardiography in Preparticipation Physical Evaluations [Lown Right Care: Reducing Overuse and Underuse] new
02/01/2022	Topical Nitroglycerin for Lower Extremity Tendinopathy [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
05/01/2021	The Preparticipation Physical Evaluation
07/01/2020	Back Pain in Children and Adolescents
06/01/2020	Preparticipation Physical Evaluation: AAFP and Others Update Recommendations [Practice Guidelines]
01/01/2020	Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Common Questions and Answers
08/01/2019	Management of Chronic Tendon Injuries
05/15/2019	Apophysitis and Osteochondrosis: Common Causes of Pain in Growing Bones
05/15/2018	Hyperpronation Method for Reduction of Nursemaid's Elbow [Medicine by the Numbers]
05/15/2018	Screening for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
05/15/2018	Screening for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis [Putting Prevention into Practice]
04/15/2018	Common Running Injuries: Evaluation and Management
08/15/2017	Lower Extremity Abnormalities in Children
07/15/2017	Treatment for Calcaneal Apophysitis [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
06/15/2017	Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: Diagnosis and Management
10/01/2016	Stretching for Prevention of Exercise-Related Injury [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
07/15/2016	Preparticipation Screening for CVD in Competitive Athletes: Recommendations from the AHA/ACC [Practice Guidelines]
07/01/2016	Topical NSAIDs for Acute Musculoskeletal Pain in Adults [Medicine by the Numbers]
11/15/2015	A Systematic Approach to the Evaluation of a Limping Child
04/01/2014	Common Conditions in the Overhead Athlete
10/15/2011	Managing Intoeing in Children [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
03/15/2009	Health-Related Concerns of the Female Athlete: A Lifespan Approach
07/15/2007	Common Problems in Endurance Athletes
10/15/2006	Management of Head and Neck Injuries by the Sideline Physician
07/01/2006	Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Children: Part I. Initial Evaluation
04/01/2003	Prevention and Treatment of Common Eye Injuries in Sports
05/01/2002	Common Conditions of the Achilles Tendon
10/15/2001	Groin Injuries in Athletes
05/15/2001	Bicycle-Related Injuries
01/01/2000	Osteochondritis Dissecans: A Diagnosis Not to Miss
Editorials and Letters
12/01/2020	Management of Acute Pain from Musculoskeletal Injuries: Guidance for Family Physicians [Editorials]
11/01/2020	Evidence Against the Routine Use of MRI for Nonoperative Treatment of Chronic Orthopedic Conditions [Editorials]
02/15/2019	Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: A Primary Care Approach [Editorials]
04/15/2018	The Female Athlete Triad: Recommendations for Management [Editorials]
04/15/2017	Preventing Sports Injury and Illness: Key Resources for Family Physicians [Editorials]
04/15/2012	Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain? Yes: Evidence Shows Benefit in Most Patients [Editorials: Controversies in Family Medicine]
04/15/2012	Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain? Yes: Spinal Manipulation Is a Useful Adjunct Therapy [Editorials: Controversies in Family Medicine]
04/15/2012	Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain? No: Evidence Shows No Clinically Significant Benefit Over Watchful Waiting [Editorials: Controversies in Family Medicine]
05/15/2012	Acupuncture May Be Helpful for Patients with Plantar Fasciitis [Letters to the Editor]
Improving Practice
From FPM AAFP's Peer-Reviewed Practice Improvement Journal
05/01/2021	Demystifying Documentation and Billing for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
10/01/2006	Sports Physicals: A Coding Conundrum
03/01/2005	Acute Knee Injury Encounter Form
Patient Education, Self-Care
04/15/2021	Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders
01/15/2021	Hip Pain in Adults
06/15/2019	Plantar Fasciitis
01/15/2019	Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
10/01/2018	Low Back Pain
09/01/2018	Common Foot Problems: Home Treatments
02/15/2017	Bursitis of the Elbow, Knee, and Heel
12/15/2016	Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
05/01/2016	Cervical Radiculopathy: A Common Cause of Neck Pain
11/15/2015	Knee Pain
04/01/2014	Shoulder Pain in Throwing Athletes
01/01/2014	What You Should Know About Hip Pain
06/15/2012	How to Care for Your Ankle Sprain
06/01/2011	Knee Osteoarthritis
02/15/2011	Adhesive Capsulitis
01/01/2011	Stress Fractures
10/15/2010	ACL Injuries
From FamilyDoctor.org AAFP's Patient Information 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