- Part 1 Introduction to musculoskeletal medicine
- Part 2 Structural pathology; dysfunction; pain
- Part 3 Regional disorders
- Chapter 23 Clinical examination
- Chapter 24 Investigative techniques
- Chapter 25 Musculoskeletal injections
- Chapter 26 Endoscopically determined pain sources in the lumbar spine
- Chapter 27 Regional somatic dysfunction
- Chapter 28 Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Chapter 29 Chest wall pain
- Chapter 30 The joints of the shoulder girdle
- Chapter 31 Structural disorders of the shoulder
- Chapter 32 Rehabilitation strategies—shoulder disorders
- Chapter 33 Upper limb disorders
- Chapter 34 The pelvis
- Chapter 35 Sacroiliac joint disorders
- Chapter 36 Structural disorders of the knee
- Chapter 37 Patellofemoral/extensor mechanism disorders
- Chapter 38 Soft tissue injuries at the knee
- Chapter 39 Superior tibiofibular joint
- Chapter 40 Exertional lower leg pain
- Chapter 41 Biomechanics of the foot and ankle
- Chapter 42 The ankle joint
- Chapter 43 The subtalar joint
- Chapter 44 Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Chapter 45 Tendinopathies and enthesopathies
- Chapter 46 Metatarsalgia
- Chapter 47 Podiatry (podiatric medicine and surgery)
- Part 4 Management strategies
(p. 229) Investigative techniques
- Chapter:
- (p. 229) Investigative techniques
- Author(s):
David Knott
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780199674107.003.0024
Investigations, while useful, play a smaller role in musculoskeletal practice than in some other areas of medicine. Generally, investigations should only be requested when they are needed to exclude serious disease or where they will result in a change in the management of a case. Avoiding overuse and selecting the most appropriate investigation will result in cost and time benefits, as well as minimizing any exposure of the patient to potential harms. This chapter reviews the types of investigations commonly available to the musculoskeletal clinician, with special reference to imaging, pathology, and neurophysiological techniques. It examines the benefits and potential drawbacks of such tests.
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- Part 1 Introduction to musculoskeletal medicine
- Part 2 Structural pathology; dysfunction; pain
- Part 3 Regional disorders
- Chapter 23 Clinical examination
- Chapter 24 Investigative techniques
- Chapter 25 Musculoskeletal injections
- Chapter 26 Endoscopically determined pain sources in the lumbar spine
- Chapter 27 Regional somatic dysfunction
- Chapter 28 Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Chapter 29 Chest wall pain
- Chapter 30 The joints of the shoulder girdle
- Chapter 31 Structural disorders of the shoulder
- Chapter 32 Rehabilitation strategies—shoulder disorders
- Chapter 33 Upper limb disorders
- Chapter 34 The pelvis
- Chapter 35 Sacroiliac joint disorders
- Chapter 36 Structural disorders of the knee
- Chapter 37 Patellofemoral/extensor mechanism disorders
- Chapter 38 Soft tissue injuries at the knee
- Chapter 39 Superior tibiofibular joint
- Chapter 40 Exertional lower leg pain
- Chapter 41 Biomechanics of the foot and ankle
- Chapter 42 The ankle joint
- Chapter 43 The subtalar joint
- Chapter 44 Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Chapter 45 Tendinopathies and enthesopathies
- Chapter 46 Metatarsalgia
- Chapter 47 Podiatry (podiatric medicine and surgery)
- Part 4 Management strategies