Musculoskeletal Disorders

Patients Seek Active Role in Carpal Tunnel Decision Making

September 06, 2011

Patients who are to receive treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome prefer to collaborate with their physician in decision making about their medical or surgical care.

Steps to Take in Managing Metatarsalgia

September 05, 2011

ByBrett R. Fink, MD

Familiarity with metatarsalgia, an array of disorders that cause pain to the forefoot, enhances the clinician's ability to make the proper diagnosis.

Imaging for Elastofibroma Dorsi Diagnosis

June 30, 2011

Accurate diagnosis of elastofibroma dorsi may be achieved with a proper clinical history, knowledge of the characteristic site of the lesion, and typical imaging findings to avoid unnecessary biopsy and surgery.

Getting a Grip on Dupuytren Disease and Other Hand Conditions

May 31, 2011

ByRheumatologyNetwork Staff

A new treatment for a disabling hand condition-Dupuytren disease, or Dupuytren contracture-can restore a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks, according to Hands: Strategies for Strong, Pain-Free Hands, a new edition of the Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. The report describes the causes of and treatments for a variety of conditions that can cause hand pain and features information on hand exercises.

Systemic Sclerosis Causes Increased Disability Over Time

May 31, 2011

ByRheumatologyNetwork Staff

Disability worsens over time in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Diffuse disease and severity of breathing problems are the strongest determinants of disability; others include joint pain and contractures, fatigue, and depression

Understanding Allopurinol-Induced DRESS Syndrome

May 01, 2011

ByDamian Frackowiak, MD

Tesfate Beyene, MD

Ghayyath Sultan, MD

Drug-induced rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome may be triggered by numerous chemically unrelated medications. Allopurinol-induced DRESS (A-DRESS) syndrome carries the highest mortality risk.

Imaging for Dupuytren contracture

January 28, 2011

ByRobert B. Uzor, MD

Catherine Maldjian, MD

Richard J. Adam, MD

In Dupuytren contracture, hyperplasia of the palmar aponeurosis induces a contracture that typically involves the fourth and fifth digits of the hand. Radiographic findings consist of flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the ring finger, with mild subluxation.

Physician-Patient Collaboration Best Way to Evaluate Systemic Sclerosis?

January 06, 2011

ByRheumatologyNetwork Staff

Patients who have systemic sclerosis and their physicians rate disease severity differently in magnitude and are influenced by different factors.

Meeting the challenge of chronicshoulder pain: The diagnosis

July 30, 2010

Shoulder pain is complex and difficult for even experienced clinicians to diagnose. This article reviews how to use history, simple physical tests, and imaging to distinguish rotator cuff disorders and osteoarthritis from osteonecrosis, adhesive capsulitis, labral tears, or acromioclavicular joint pathology.

Low back pain management: Making the diagnosis

July 06, 2010

The main goals of low back pain management are achieving an accurate diagnosis and implementing a targeted, cost-effective treatment plan.