bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Tests for Musculoskeletal Disorders
Other Diagnostic Procedures
Other procedures and tests are sometimes needed to help doctors diagnose musculoskeletal disorders. Arthroscopy is a procedure in which a small (diameter of a pencil) fiberoptic scope is inserted into a joint space, allowing the doctor to look inside the joint and to project the image onto a video monitor. The skin incision is very small. This procedure is done in a hospital or surgical center. The person is given local, spinal, or general Anesthesia or a combination. During arthroscopy, doctors can take a piece of tissue (such as joint cartilage or the joint capsule) for analysis (biopsy), and, if necessary, do surgery to correct the condition. Disorders commonly found during arthroscopy include Inflammation of the synovium lining the joint (synovitis) Ligament, tendon, or cartilage tears Loose pieces of bone or cartilage Such conditions affect people with arthritis or previous joint injuries as well as athletes. Most of these conditions can be repaired or removed during arthroscopy. There is a very small risk of joint infection with this procedure. Recovery time after arthroscopic surgery is much faster than after traditional surgery. Most people do not need to stay overnight in the hospital. Joint aspiration is used to diagnose certain joint problems. For example, it is the most direct and accurate way to determine whether joint pain and swelling is caused by an infection or crystal-related arthritis (such as Diagnosis ). For this procedure, a doctor first injects an anesthetic to numb the area. Then the doctor inserts a larger needle into the joint space (sometimes guided by ultrasonography), draws out (aspirates) joint fluid (synovial fluid), and examines the fluid under a microscope. A doctor removes as much fluid as possible and notes its color and clarity. Other tests, such as white blood cell count and culture, are done on the fluid. The doctor can often make a diagnosis after analyzing the fluid. For example, a sample of fluid may contain bacteria, which confirm a diagnosis of infection. Or, it may contain certain crystals. For example, finding uric acid crystals confirms a diagnosis of Diagnosis , and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals confirm a diagnosis of calcium pyrophosphate arthritis ( Usually done in the doctor's office or an emergency department, this procedure is typically quick, easy, and relatively painless. The risk of joint infection is minimal. Nerve conduction studies help determine whether the nerves supplying the muscles are functioning normally. Nerve conduction studies, together with electromyography, help indicate whether there is a problem primarily in the Muscles (such as Overview of the Nervous System (the brain, spinal cord, and nerves), which controls the muscles (such as a Overview of Neuromuscular Junction Disorders (such as Nerve conduction studies are particularly useful for the diagnosis of Overview of the Peripheral Nervous System , such as 