Musculoskeletal Conditions (Subscribe)  

The goal of this panel discussion is to highlight optimal approaches to Rheumatoid Arthritis disease management involving a multidisciplinary team, to identify barriers that may lead to lack of confidence in optimally managing patients with RA, and to identify strategies to overcome such barriers.
Victoria Ruffing, RN, CCRP; Jon T. Giles,...

Although modern medicine has been successful in managing infection and saving victims of multiple trauma, healthcare providers have offered little relief to individuals with chronic diseases, such as arthritis. Many patients with arthritis are seeking help with disease management from alternative therapies. When used along with allopathic medicine, these therapies...

Bursitis Definition Bursitis is the painful inflammation of the bursa, a padlike sac of fluid found in areas of the musculoskeletal system that are subject to friction, such as joints. Bursae cushion the movement between the bones, tendons, and muscles near the joints. Bursitis is most often caused by repetitive movement performed...

Carpal Tunel Syndrome Definition Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common disorder caused by compression at the wrist of the median nerve supplying the hand, causing numbness and tingling.

The goal of this activity is to evaluate, through a case presentation, the role of the nurse in rheumatoid arthritis management using standardized tools for monitoring disease status, treatment effectiveness, and adverse effects as well as their role in patient education.
Victoria Ruffing, RN, CCRP; Sheree C. Carter, RN, MSN; Deanna...

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic connective tissue disorders that affects approximately 1 in 5,000 live births, including males and females of all racial and ethnic groups. The main characteristics of EDS are skin hyperextensibility, tissue fragility, and joint hypermobility. Diagnosis of EDS is often difficult due to...

Fibromyalgia Definition Fibromyalgia (formerly known as fibrositis) is an inflammation of the fibrous or connective tissue (muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons) of the body. Widespread pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points characterize this condition. Other symptoms may include sleep disturbance, headache, and bowel disturbances.

Gout is a form of acute arthritis that causes severe pain and swelling in the joints. It most commonly affects the big toe, but may also affect the heel, ankle, hand, wrist, or elbow. Attacks of gout usually come on suddenly, stop after five to 10 days, and can keep recurring.

Rural Nurse Organization Hallux Rigidus Clinical Resources

SIGN Guideline Contents - Introduction, Diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis, Principles of treatment, Pharacological management, Role of the multidisciplinary team

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive disorder of the joints caused by gradual loss of cartilage that may result in the development of bony spurs and cysts at the margins of the joints. The name osteoarthritis comes from three Greek words meaning bone, joint, and inflammation.

Osteonecrosis is a pathologic process resulting from direct and indirect injury to the bones' vascular supply. Varying microangiopathic entities cause the death of bone. Bone cell death subsequently causes loss of joint function, impaired mobility, and microfractures leading to collapse of the joints' articular surface. The pathogenesis of osteonecrosis is presented.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Definition Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is primarily caused by human reactions to events outside the realm of ordinary life experience. Domestic and criminal violence, natural disasters, and transportation accidents are major categories of incidents associated with PTSD. Once thought to be experienced primarily by war veterans, PTSD is now...

Medscape Resource Center Collections of Medscape's key clinical content, selected by the editors

Sprains and Strains Definition A sprain is an injury to ligaments and/or the joint capsule that occurs in response to large stresses. A strain is disruption of the contractile elements in muscle and/or tendon. An easy way to remember the difference between sprain and strain is that strain is spelled with a...