What Is A Musculoskeletal Specialist?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Orthopedists specialize in the musculoskeletal system

. This includes identifying and treating an injury, providing rehabilitation to an affected area or function, and advising on how to reduce more damage.

What does a musculoskeletal doctor do?

Musculoskeletal Medicine is a branch of medicine which

specialises in the diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system

(bones, muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments).

What are some examples of musculoskeletal disorders?

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Tendinitis.
  • Rotator cuff injuries (affects the shoulder)
  • Epicondylitis (affects the elbow)
  • Trigger finger.
  • Muscle strains and low back injuries.

What kind of doctor do you see for musculoskeletal pain?


Primary care doctors

most often treat musculoskeletal pain. Physical therapists, rheumatologists, osteopaths, orthopedic specialists, and other specialists may also be involved in your care.

Is musculoskeletal serious?

Musculoskeletal pain

can be acute

, meaning it is sudden and severe. Or the pain can be chronic (long-lasting). You may have localized pain (in one area of your body), or it may affect your entire body.

What are the 4 types of musculoskeletal injuries?

  • Tendinitis.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Osteoarthritis.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Bone fractures.
  • Muscle / Tendon strain.
  • Ligament Sprain.

Is musculoskeletal pain a disability?

Musculoskeletal conditions are

the leading contributor to disability worldwide

, with low back pain being the single leading cause of disability in 160 countries. Because of population increases and ageing, the number of people with musculoskeletal conditions is rapidly increasing.

What are the most common musculoskeletal disorders?

  • Tendonitis. This is an inflammation of a tendon – the fibrous tissues that connect a muscle to a bone. …
  • Osteoarthritis. …
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis. …
  • Bone Fractures. …
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. …
  • Fibromyalgia.

What is the main cause of musculoskeletal disorders?

The causes of musculoskeletal pain are varied. Muscle tissue can be damaged with the wear and tear of daily activities.

Trauma to an area

(jerking movements, auto accidents, falls, fractures, sprains, dislocations, and direct blows to the muscle) also can cause musculoskeletal pain.

What are the most common tests used to diagnose musculoskeletal system disorders?

  • CT Scan. Doctors often use a computed tomography scan, aka a CT scan or CAT scan, to diagnose problems with the bones or muscles. …
  • DEXA Scan. A DEXA scan measures the density and mass of structures inside the body. …
  • X-Ray. …
  • MRI. …
  • Arthrogram. …
  • Ultrasound.

What are the three basic causes of musculoskeletal injuries?

“The top three most common causes of musculoskeletal injuries are

lifting, carrying or putting down objects, falls, and repetitive movement or strain

,” Stevens said.

How do you know if back pain is muscular or skeletal?

Back Pain Symptom Checker:

Typically, pain originating in your spine will look a little different than pain from a muscle. You may have a

more burning or electric type pain

, or your pain may be constant. With spinal-issue pain, you may also have pain that “shoots” down your leg or into your glutes.

How do you know if pain is muscular or skeletal?

Bone pain usually

feels deeper, sharper, and more intense than muscle pain

. Muscle pain also feels more generalized throughout the body and tends to ease within a day or two, while bone pain is more focused and lasts longer. Bone pain is also less common than joint or muscle pain, and should always be taken seriously.

What can I expect at a musculoskeletal clinic?

We palpate the affected part for

swelling, tenderness and heat

and note the muscle texture and also identify tense muscles and trigger points. We test the nerves by assessing the tendon reflexes, and we perform sensation testing and isometric strength testing, which checks out the neurological status.

What are musculoskeletal problems?

Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs are

injuries and disorders that affect the human body’s movement or musculoskeletal system

(i.e. muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs, blood vessels, etc.). Common musculoskeletal disorders include: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Is Fibromyalgia a musculoskeletal disease?

Fibromyalgia is a

disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain

accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.