Neff, Stephan

Definitions

Musculoskeletal medicine concerns the diagnosis and treatment of dysfunction, diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. This includes bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage andother connective tissue. Musculoskeletal disorders are very common, and people usually suffer pain and disability as a result of injury or dysfunction affecting the spine, pelvic or shoulder girdle, or to the upper and lower limbs. These may have occurred as a result of injury or of a gradual onset condition, such as osteoarthritis. There is a wide variety of treatments, including medication, pain management, exercise and rehabilitation programmes, education and support.moreRheumatology generally involves the non-surgical evaluation and treatment of rheumatic diseases and conditions. These have symptoms involving the musculoskeletal system, such as arthritis (jointinflammation). Rheumatology also involves the immune system, as many of the rheumatic diseases and conditions feature immune system abnormalities.more