Approach to Minor Orthopedic Problems of the Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Jesse B. Jupiter David Ring As the physician of first contact, the primary care practitioner encounters a host of…
Evaluation of Knee Pain The knee joint is frequently the site of trauma, degenerative disease, inflammatory arthritis, and rheumatologic conditions. Disability can be considerable because of the inability to bear…
Approach to the Patient with Shoulder Pain Jesse B. Jupiter David Ring The shoulder is a complex joint integrating three bones, four joints, and more than 15 muscles; its mobility…
Evaluation of Hip Pain Hip pain can be a major source of misery for both patient and family. The joint is essential to locomotion and weight bearing and is frequently…
Approach to the Patient with Muscle Cramps Muscle cramps are prolonged, involuntary muscle contractions that can be painful and difficult to manage but rarely reflect serious underlying disease. True cramps…
Evaluation of Neck Pain The primary care physician is often faced with the patient who complains of a stiff neck; most of the time, the problem is musculoskeletal in origin….
Approach to the Patient with Back Pain Back pain is the second most frequent complaint in primary care practice and one of the leading causes of disability. Most back pain…
Evaluation of Polyarticular Complaints Polyarticular complaints are among the most frequent in primary care practice and are often associated with considerable loss of function. Although osteoarthritis accounts for many of…
Evaluation of Acute Monoarticular Arthritis Acute monoarticular arthritis calls for a prompt diagnostic evaluation because of the possibility of bacterial infection, which can lead to rapid joint destruction and septic…
Screening for Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women David M. Slovik One of the major concerns of postmenopausal women is the development of osteoporosis. Although much less appreciated, the problem is also…
