Regional musculoskeletal complaints

This chapter is divided into sections based upon the anatomic sites: shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, coccyx, hip, knee, ankle, and foot. Before focusing on specific musculoskeletal regions, however, we provide one introductory Pearl and then some general comments on the performance of arthro-centesis and joint injection. Some specific pointers on arthro-centesis and the injection of individual joints are found within the appropriate section. Introductory Pearl: "The number of rheumatologists doing procedures equals the number of different ways of performing them.." (Gardner 2007). Comment: It is true: there are many ways to skin a cat, and there are also many ways to perform most of the procedures described in this chapter. The preferences of the authors are emphasized herein, but other approaches may also work.