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    • Topic

    Musculoskeletal Care

    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

    Athletic and Child/Adolescent Conditions

    Neck and Back

    Fracture Management

    Arm and Shoulder

    Foot and Ankle

    Patient Education, Self-Care

    Hip

    General

    Joint Injections/Aspiration

    Knee

    Editorials and Letters

    Wrist and Hand

    Athletic and Child/Adolescent Conditions
    Oct 15, 2025 — Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: Rapid Evidence Review   CME
    Apr 15, 2025 — Groin Pain and Injuries: Evaluation and Management   CME   DDx
    Feb 15, 2025 — Lower Extremity Abnormalities in Children   CME
    Dec 15, 2023 — Childhood and Adolescent Sports-Related Overuse Injuries   CME   Alg   DDx
    May 15, 2023 — Evaluating the Child With a Limp   DDx
    Nov 15, 2022 — Management of Head and Neck Injuries by the Sideline Physician
    Jul 15, 2022 — Care of the Active Female   PtEd
    Mar 15, 2022 — Appropriate Use of Electrocardiography in Preparticipation Physical Evaluations [Lown Right Care]
    Feb 15, 2022 — Topical Nitroglycerin for Lower Extremity Tendinopathy [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    May 01, 2021 — The Preparticipation Physical Evaluation
    Jul 01, 2020 — Back Pain in Children and Adolescents   Alg   DDx
    Jun 01, 2020 — Preparticipation Physical Evaluation: AAFP and Others Update Recommendations [Practice Guidelines]
    Jan 01, 2020 — Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Common Questions and Answers
    Aug 01, 2019 — Management of Chronic Tendon Injuries
    May 15, 2019 — Apophysitis and Osteochondrosis: Common Causes of Pain in Growing Bones
    May 15, 2018 — Screening for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
    May 15, 2018 — Hyperpronation Method for Reduction of Nursemaid's Elbow [Medicine by the Numbers]
    May 15, 2018 — Screening for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis [Putting Prevention Into Practice]
    Apr 15, 2018 — Common Running Injuries: Evaluation and Management
    Jul 15, 2017 — Treatment for Calcaneal Apophysitis [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Oct 01, 2016 — Stretching for Prevention of Exercise-Related Injury [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
    Jul 15, 2016 — Preparticipation Screening for CVD in Competitive Athletes: Recommendations from the AHA/ACC [Practice Guidelines]
    Jul 01, 2016 — Topical NSAIDs for Acute Musculoskeletal Pain in Adults [Medicine by the Numbers]
    Apr 01, 2014 — Common Conditions in the Overhead Athlete   PtEd
    Oct 15, 2011 — Managing Intoeing in Children [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Mar 15, 2009 — Health-Related Concerns of the Female Athlete: A Lifespan Approach   DDx
    Jul 15, 2007 — Common Problems in Endurance Athletes   PtEd
    Jul 01, 2006 — Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Children: Part I. Initial Evaluation
    Apr 01, 2003 — Prevention and Treatment of Common Eye Injuries in Sports   PtEd
    May 01, 2002 — Common Conditions of the Achilles Tendon
    May 15, 2001 — Bicycle-Related Injuries   PtEd
    Jan 01, 2000 — Osteochondritis Dissecans: A Diagnosis Not to Miss   Alg   PtEd
    Neck and Back
    Nov 15, 2025 — Acute Low Back Pain: Diagnosis and Management   CME   DDx
    Apr 15, 2024 — Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Diagnosis and Management   CME   DDx
    Mar 15, 2024 — Chronic Low Back Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Management   CME   Alg   DDx
    Dec 15, 2023 — Spinal Cord Stimulation for Low Back Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]   CME
    Jul 15, 2023 — Trigger Point Injection for Low Back Pain [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Jun 15, 2023 — Benefits and Harms of Systemic Corticosteroids for Radicular and Nonradicular Low Back Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Apr 15, 2023 — Management of Low Back Pain: Guidelines From the VA/DoD [Practice Guidelines]
    Oct 15, 2022 — Effectiveness of Exercise Therapy in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Jul 15, 2022 — Effectiveness of Epidural Steroid Injections for Low Back Pain [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
    Jun 15, 2022 — Overuse of Interventional Procedures for Low Back Pain [Lown Right Care]
    Mar 15, 2022 — Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment   DDx   PtEd
    Mar 15, 2022 — Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and Back Pain [Information from Your Family Doctor]
    Apr 01, 2021 — Epidural Corticosteroid Injections for Lumbosacral Radicular Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Dec 15, 2020 — Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Recognition and Management   DDx   PtEd
    Aug 01, 2020 — Neck Pain: Initial Evaluation and Management   Alg
    Sep 01, 2019 — Gabapentin for Treatment of Radicular Low Back Pain [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Aug 01, 2019 — Chronic Neck Pain: Nonpharmacologic Treatment [Implementing AHRQ Effective Health Care Reviews]
    Feb 15, 2019 — Manipulative Therapies: What Works
    Oct 01, 2018 — Mechanical Low Back Pain   DDx   PtEd
    Jul 15, 2018 — Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Sep 15, 2017 — Low Back Pain: American College of Physicians Practice Guideline on Noninvasive Treatments [Practice Guidelines]
    Sep 01, 2017 — Noninvasive Treatments for Low Back Pain [Implementing AHRQ Effective Health Care Reviews]   Tool
    May 01, 2016 — Nonoperative Management of Cervical Radiculopathy   Alg   DDx   PtEd
    Apr 01, 2016 — Pilates for the Treatment of Low Back Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Feb 01, 2016 — Cyclobenzaprine in the Treatment of Low Back Pain [Medicine by the Numbers]
    May 01, 2015 — Treatments for Sciatica [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Jul 15, 2013 — Epidural Steroids for Sciatica Minimally Effective in the Short Term [POEMs]
    Feb 15, 2012 — Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain   DDx   PtEd
    Aug 15, 2011 — Low Back Pain (Chronic) [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
    Oct 15, 2010 — Radiologic Evaluation of Chronic Neck Pain
    Feb 15, 2009 — Predicting Benefit of Spinal Manipulation for Low Back Pain [Point-of-Care Guides]   POC
    Oct 01, 2008 — Acute Lumbar Disk Pain: Navigating Evaluation and Treatment Choices   Alg   DDx   PtEd
    Nov 15, 2007 — Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Return to Work   PtEd
    Sep 01, 2006 — Acute Low Back Pain [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
    Apr 01, 2006 — Herniated Lumbar Disk [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
    Fracture Management
    Dec 15, 2024 — Bone Stress Injuries: Diagnosis and Management   CME   Alg   PtEd
    Feb 15, 2024 — Common Foot Fractures   CME
    Jun 15, 2022 — Common Finger Fractures and Dislocations   DDx   PtEd
    Apr 15, 2022 — Splint vs. Cast for Forearm Buckle Fracture in Children [Medicine by the Numbers]
    Mar 15, 2022 — Thumb Spica Casts for Scaphoid Fractures [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Mar 15, 2021 — Common Fractures of the Radius and Ulna
    Apr 15, 2020 — Ketorolac vs. Morphine for Pain Relief After Fractures [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
    Jan 01, 2011 — Stress Fractures: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention   Alg   DDx   PtEd
    Sep 01, 2009 — Splints and Casts: Indications and Methods
    Jan 01, 2009 — Principles of Casting and Splinting   PtEd   Tool
    Jan 01, 2008 — Clavicle Fractures   PtEd
    Sep 15, 2007 — Diagnosis and Management of Metatarsal Fractures
    Sep 01, 2004 — Diagnosis and Management of Scaphoid Fractures
    Dec 15, 2003 — Evaluation and Management of Toe Fractures
    Jan 01, 2003 — Tarsal Navicular Stress Fractures
    Arm and Shoulder
    Sep 15, 2024 — Intra-Articular Steroids for Adhesive Capsulitis [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    May 15, 2023 — Acute Shoulder Injuries in Adults   PtEd
    May 15, 2022 — Kinesiology Taping for Rotator Cuff Disease [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Jul 15, 2021 — Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation: Surgical vs. Conservative Interventions [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Mar 01, 2019 — Adhesive Capsulitis: Diagnosis and Management   DDx
    Nov 01, 2017 — History and Physical Examination for Identifying Rotator Cuff Tears [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
    Feb 15, 2017 — Common Superficial Bursitis   Alg   PtEd   Tool
    Dec 01, 2016 — Rotator Cuff Disease: Diagnostic Tests [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
    Apr 15, 2014 — Evaluation of Elbow Pain in Adults   DDx
    Apr 01, 2014 — Common Conditions in the Overhead Athlete   PtEd
    Jan 15, 2011 — Shoulder Pain [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
    Sep 01, 2009 — Diagnosis and Treatment of Biceps Tendinitis and Tendinosis
    Feb 15, 2008 — Chronic Shoulder Pain: Part II. Treatment
    Sep 15, 2007 — Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis   Alg   PtEd
    Mar 01, 2007 — Tennis Elbow [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
    Apr 15, 2005 — Diagnosing Rotator Cuff Tears [Point-of-Care Guides]   POC
    Nov 01, 2000 — Acute Brachial Plexus Neuritis: An Uncommon Cause of Shoulder Pain
    Jun 01, 2000 — The Painful Shoulder: Part II. Acute and Chronic Disorders
    Foot and Ankle
    Feb 15, 2025 — Plantar Fasciitis: Guidelines From the American Physical Therapy Association [Practice Guidelines]   CME
    Sep 15, 2024 — Treatment Options for Morton Neuroma [Cochrane for Clinicians]   CME
    Mar 15, 2023 — Foot Orthoses for Treating Flat Feet in Children [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    May 15, 2022 — Tendinopathies of the Foot and Ankle
    Mar 01, 2021 — Platelet-Rich Plasma vs. Corticosteroids for Refractory Plantar Fasciitis [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Jun 15, 2019 — Plantar Fasciitis   DDx   PtEd
    Sep 01, 2018 — Common Foot Problems: Over-the-Counter Treatments and Home Care   PtEd
    May 01, 2018 — Charcot Foot: Clinical Clues, Diagnostic Strategies, and Treatment Principles
    Feb 01, 2018 — Injected Corticosteroids for Plantar Heel Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Jan 15, 2018 — Heel Pain: Diagnosis and Management   Alg   DDx
    Jun 01, 2015 — Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Jun 15, 2012 — Update on Acute Ankle Sprains   PtEd
    Dec 01, 2007 — NSAIDs vs. Acetaminophen for the Treatment of Ankle Sprains [AFP Journal Club]
    Oct 01, 2007 — Radiologic Evaluation of Chronic Foot Pain
    Oct 15, 2004 — Evaluating the Patient with an Ankle or Foot Injury [Point-of-Care Guides]
    Patient Education, Self-Care
    Dec 15, 2024 — Bone Stress Injuries (Including Stress Fractures) [Information from Your Family Doctor]   FREE
    Aug 15, 2023 — Joint and Soft Tissue Injections [Information from Your Family Doctor]
    Apr 15, 2021 — Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders   Alg   DDx   POC   PtEd
    Apr 15, 2021 — Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders [Information from Your Family Doctor]
    Jan 15, 2021 — Hip Pain in Adults [Information from Your Family Doctor]
    Jun 15, 2019 — Plantar Fasciitis   DDx   PtEd
    Jun 15, 2019 — Plantar Fasciitis [Information from Your Family Doctor]   DDx   PtEd
    Jan 15, 2019 — Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome   DDx   PtEd
    Jan 15, 2019 — Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome [Information from Your Family Doctor]
    Oct 01, 2018 — Low Back Pain [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Sep 01, 2018 — Common Foot Problems: Home Treatments [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Feb 15, 2017 — Bursitis of the Elbow, Knee, and Heel [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Dec 15, 2016 — Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    May 01, 2016 — Cervical Radiculopathy: A Common Cause of Neck Pain [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Nov 15, 2015 — Knee Pain [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Apr 01, 2014 — Shoulder Pain in Throwing Athletes [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Jan 01, 2014 — What You Should Know About Hip Pain [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Jun 15, 2012 — How to Care for Your Ankle Sprain [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Jun 01, 2011 — Knee Osteoarthritis [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Feb 15, 2011 — Adhesive Capsulitis [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Jan 01, 2011 — Stress Fractures [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Oct 15, 2010 — ACL Injuries [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Hip
    Jan 15, 2021 — Hip Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis   DDx   PtEd
    Aug 15, 2012 — Evaluation of Hip Pain in Older Adults [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Dec 15, 2009 — Hip Impingement: Identifying and Treating a Common Cause of Hip Pain   DDx   PtEd
    General
    Apr 15, 2024 — Pain Management After Orthopedic Trauma: Guidelines From the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association [Practice Guidelines]   CME
    Feb 15, 2023 — Trigger Point Management
    Apr 15, 2021 — Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders   Alg   DDx   POC   PtEd
    Feb 01, 2021 — Telemedicine Management of Musculoskeletal Issues
    Dec 01, 2020 — Management of Acute Pain from Non–Low Back Musculoskeletal Injuries: Guidelines from AAFP and ACP [Practice Guidelines]
    Joint Injections/Aspiration
    Oct 15, 2024 — Injections of the Hand and Wrist: Part I. Trigger Finger, First Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis, and Palmar Fibromatosis   CME
    Oct 15, 2024 — Injections of the Hand and Wrist: Part II. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Intersection Syndrome, Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injury, and de Quervain Tenosynovitis   CME
    Jan 15, 2024 — Injections of the Hip and Knee   CME
    Sep 15, 2023 — Effect of Steroid Injections on Blood Glucose Level [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Aug 15, 2023 — Joint and Soft Tissue Injections   PtEd
    Dec 15, 2021 — Trigger Finger: Safety and Effectiveness of NSAID vs. Steroid Injection Therapy [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Nov 15, 2021 — Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Injections for Trigger Finger [Medicine by the Numbers]
    Oct 15, 2015 — Corticosteroid Injections for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions
    Oct 01, 2013 — Ultrasound-Guided Steroid Injections for Shoulder Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Oct 01, 2003 — Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Ankle and Foot
    Dec 01, 2002 — Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Elbow Region
    Oct 15, 2002 — Knee Joint Aspiration and Injection   PtEd
    Knee
    Oct 15, 2024 — Arthroscopic Surgery vs. Physical Therapy for Degenerative Meniscal Tears [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Oct 01, 2020 — Patellofemoral Pain: Guidelines from the American Physical Therapy Association [Practice Guidelines]
    Jan 15, 2019 — Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome   DDx   PtEd
    Nov 15, 2018 — Braces and Splints for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions
    Nov 01, 2018 — Knee Pain in Adults and Adolescents: The Initial Evaluation   DDx   PtEd
    Feb 01, 2018 — Effectiveness of ACL Injury Prevention Programs [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
    Feb 01, 2016 — Pes Anserine Bursitis: An Underdiagnosed Cause of Knee Pain in Overweight Women [Letters to the Editor]
    Nov 15, 2015 — Nonsurgical Management of Knee Pain in Adults   Alg   PtEd
    Aug 01, 2015 — Management of ACL Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline from the AAOS [Practice Guidelines]
    Feb 01, 2012 — Evaluating Acutely Injured Patients for Internal Derangement of the Knee
    Jun 01, 2011 — Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis   DDx   PtEd
    May 15, 2011 — Clinical Significance of Meniscal Damage on Knee MRI [AFP Journal Club]
    Jan 15, 2011 — Reducing ACL Injuries in Female Athletes [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Oct 15, 2010 — Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention   PtEd
    Aug 01, 2008 — Arthroscopic Surgery for Knee Osteoarthritis [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Oct 01, 2005 — Intra-articular Corticosteroid for Treating Osteoarthritis of the Knee [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Apr 15, 2005 — Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A Common Source of Knee Pain
    Mar 15, 2005 — Evaluating the Patient with a Knee Injury [Point-of-Care Guides]   POC
    Editorials and Letters
    Dec 01, 2020 — Management of Acute Pain from Musculoskeletal Injuries: Guidance for Family Physicians [Editorials]
    Nov 01, 2020 — Evidence Against the Routine Use of MRI for Nonoperative Treatment of Chronic Orthopedic Conditions [Editorials]
    Feb 15, 2019 — Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: A Primary Care Approach [Editorials]
    Apr 15, 2018 — The Female Athlete Triad: Recommendations for Management [Editorials]
    Apr 15, 2017 — Preventing Sports Injury and Illness: Key Resources for Family Physicians [Editorials]
    Wrist and Hand
    Sep 15, 2025 — Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Guidelines From the AAOS [Practice Guidelines]   CME
    Jul 15, 2025 — Fingertip Injuries   CME
    Jul 15, 2025 — Surgical vs Nonsurgical Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [Medicine by the Numbers]
    Sep 15, 2024 — Surgical vs. Nonsurgical Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [Cochrane for Clinicians]   CME
    Jul 15, 2024 — Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Rapid Evidence Review   CME   Alg   DDx
    Jun 15, 2024 — Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [Point-of-Care Guides]   CME
    Jan 15, 2024 — Local Corticosteroid Injection vs. Placebo for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [Cochrane for Clinicians]   CME
    Jun 15, 2018 — Treatments for de Quervain Tenosynovitis [FPIN's Help Desk Answers]
    Nov 15, 2016 — Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [Clinical Evidence Handbook]
    Apr 15, 2013 — Evaluation and Diagnosis of Wrist Pain: A Case-Based Approach   DDx
    Mar 01, 2006 — Acute Finger Injuries: Part II. Fractures, Dislocations, and Thumb Injuries   PtEd
    Nov 01, 2005 — A Clinical Approach to Diagnosing Wrist Pain
    Apr 15, 2004 — Hand and Wrist Injuries: Part II. Emergent Evaluation
    Apr 15, 2004 — Hand and Wrist Injuries: Part I. Nonemergent Evaluation

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