Description

🩻 Diagnosis of Musculoskeletal Conditions 1. Clinical Evaluation History taking: When did symptoms start? What makes it better/worse? Physical exam: Checking for pain, swelling, deformity, range of motion, strength, etc. 2. Imaging Studies 🦴 X-rays: Great for bones, fractures, arthritis 🧲 MRI: Best for soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, cartilage, discs) 🖥️ CT scan: More detailed bone imaging or complex fractures 📡 Ultrasound: Useful for muscle, tendon, and joint evaluation (e.g., rotator cuff) 💡 Bone scan or DEXA: For detecting bone density or metastatic disease 3. Lab Tests 🔬 Blood work may be used to identify: Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus) Infections Metabolic disorders (e.g., vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis) 💡 Common Musculoskeletal Conditions Condition Example Symptoms Fractures Broken bone Swelling, pain, deformity Arthritis Osteoarthritis, RA Joint pain, stiffness Tendon Injuries Rotator cuff, Achilles Weakness, swelling, limited motion Ligament Tears ACL, ankle sprain Instability, popping sound, pain Back Pain Herniated disc, sciatica Radiating pain, numbness Bursitis/Tendinitis Shoulder, elbow Pain with movement, inflammation Scoliosis Spine curvature Uneven shoulders, back pain Osteoporosis Bone thinning Fragile bones, fractures 🛠️ Treatment Options 🧊 1. Conservative (Non-Surgical) R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) Medications: NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) Steroid injections Muscle relaxants Physical therapy: Improves strength, flexibility, and function Bracing or splinting Chiropractic care/manual therapy (for some spine conditions) Lifestyle modifications: Weight loss, ergonomic changes, activity modifications 💉 2. Interventional Procedures Cortisone injections Hyaluronic acid injections (for arthritis) PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) or stem cell injections (emerging) Nerve blocks (for chronic pain) 🧬 3. Surgical Treatment Arthroscopy (minimally invasive joint repair) Joint replacement (hip, knee, shoulder) Fracture fixation (plates, screws, rods) Spine surgery (discectomy, fusion) Tendon or ligament repair (ACL, rotator cuff) Corrective surgery (bunions, scoliosis) 🏋️‍♀️ Rehabilitation & Follow-Up Physical or occupational therapy Gradual return to activity Pain management Home exercise programs Regular check-ups and imaging to monitor healing or progression ⚠️ When to See a Specialist: Pain lasts more than a few weeks Numbness, weakness, or tingling Loss of function or joint instability Visible deformity or swelling Difficulty walking or using a limb