Recommended Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residency Training.

ABSTRACT: Patients present to primary care physicians with musculoskeletal complaints more often than they do for upper respiratory infections, hypertension, or diabetes. Despite this, instruction in musculoskeletal medicine for internal medicine residents represents less than 1% of their total didactic and clinical education time. We recognize the immense breadth of knowledge and skill required to train residents in the practice of internal medicine. This curriculum guideline defines a recommended training strategy, and supplies relevant resources, to improve musculoskeletal education among internal medicine residents to optimize patient care. This curriculum guideline was created by internists who are sports medicine specialists. Sports medicine physicians promote overall health and well-being while providing expertise in acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as how disease affects exercise and using exercise as medicine for people with chronic disease.

Volleyball injuries.

There has been a significant increase in the numbers of people playing indoor and beach volleyball since the early 1980s and, consequently, an increase in injuries. Most injuries are related to repetitive jumping and hitting the ball overhead. The ankle is the most commonly injured joint, but the knee, shoulder, low back, and fingers also are vulnerable. The shoulder in particular is subject to extreme torque when hitting and jump serving the ball. Some injuries have a predilection for those playing on sand versus those playing in an indoor court. The clinician caring for volleyball players should be aware of the types of injuries these players sustain and how to help them return to play promptly and appropriately. This article reviews the specific injuries that are most common as a result of participating in the sport of volleyball.

Clinical examination of the foot and ankle.

The foot and ankle are critical components in our ability to ambulate. Injuries to either can significantly interfere with a patient's ability to carry out normal activities. In severe cases, they can be devastating to a patient's independence. Careful examination of the foot and ankle using established mechanical tests, along with understanding of the anatomy of the complex,is needed to confirm the history and to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle injuries. The following points are key to clinical examination of the foot and ankle: . The examination of the foot and ankle needs to be done with the patient in both weight-bearing and non-weight bearing positions. . The examination of the foot and ankle should include an evaluation of the patient's gait. . Reproduction of a patient's symptoms is the key to making a correct diagnosis. . Although anatomic variants may predispose some individuals to injury,in general, if asymptomatic, no treatment should be done.