Ch 4.2 - Musculoskeletal Problems

Question 1

What is a sprain? most common area for a sprain

Answer 1

Overstretching of ligaments/joint capsule, sometimes with tearing.

most common is lateral ankle ligament

Question 2

What is a strain? most common area for a strain

Answer 2

Injuries where muscle fibres are damaged by overstretching and tearing.

most common in muscles that work over two joints e.g. hamstring

Question 3

What is bursitis? Most common examples?

Answer 3

Inflammation of the bursa - tissue around a joint

e.g. housemaid’s knee and student’s elbow

Question 4

What is fibromyalgia?

Answer 4

chronic widespread pain affecting both sides of
the body both above and below the level of the waist for at least 3
months.

Question 5

What is frozen shoulder?

Answer 5

common condition where the shoulder is stiff and
painful
The shoulder pain
sometimes radiates to the arm and is often worse at night

Question 6

What is arthraglia?

Answer 6

pain in joint - may be due to arthritis.

Question 7

When to refer when someone has a form of musculoskeletal pain?

Answer 7

Suspected fracture
Possible adverse drug-reaction: falls, bruising
Head injury
Medication failure
Arthritis
Severe back pain
Back pain (and/or pins and needles/numbness) radiating to leg
Back pain in the middle/upper back (especially in the older patient)
Failure to respond to treatment after 5 days

Question 8

What are the managment options?

Answer 8

NSAID - ibuprofen 
Topical analgesics
Counter-irritants & rubefacients 
Methyl Salicylate
Nicotinates 
Menthol
Camphor 
Capsicum

Question 9

For treatment of sprains and strains RICE is used. What does RICE stand for

Answer 9

Rest
Ice/Cooling
Compression
Elevation