• 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
    Dec 15, 2023 Childhood and Adolescent Sports-Related Overuse Injuries   CME   Alg   DDx
    May 15, 2023 Evaluating the Child With a Limp   CME   DDx
    Nov 15, 2022 Management of Head and Neck Injuries by the Sideline Physician   CME
    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
    Aug 15, 2017 Lower Extremity Abnormalities in Children   PtEd   Tool
    Jul 15, 2017 Treatment for Calcaneal Apophysitis [FPIN's Clinical Inquiries]
    Jun 15, 2017 Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: Diagnosis and Management   DDx   PtEd   Tool
    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
    Oct 15, 2001 Groin Injuries in Athletes
    May 15, 2001 Bicycle-Related Injuries   PtEd
    Jan 01, 2000 Osteochondritis Dissecans: A Diagnosis Not to Miss   Alg   PtEd
    Neck and Back
    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]   CME
    Apr 15, 2023 Management of Low Back Pain: Guidelines From the VA/DoD [Practice Guidelines]   CME
    Oct 15, 2022 Effectiveness of Exercise Therapy in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain [Cochrane for Clinicians]   CME
    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
    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   CME   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
    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]   CME
    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
    Aug 15, 2023 Joint and Soft Tissue Injections [Information from Your Family Doctor]   FREE
    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   CME
    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
    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   CME   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
    Feb 15, 2003 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Wrist and Hand Region
    Dec 01, 2002 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injection of the Elbow Region
    Oct 15, 2002 Knee Joint Aspiration and Injection   PtEd
    Knee
    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, 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
    May 15, 2001 Fingertip Injuries

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