Musculoskeletal System and Disorders

What this unit covers

The page brings together material on joints, bones and soft tissue. Mind maps cover Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Osteomyelitis, Septic Arthritis and Osteoporosis. Others look at Bone Tumors, Bone Fractures and Bone pathology, which includes Paget's disease and alkaline phosphatase as a marker of bone turnover.

Where to begin

Start with a map to see the whole picture. The Rheumatoid Arthritis map, for example, opens with aetiology and genetics. The Primary Bone Neoplasms map moves from osteochondroma, the commonest benign tumour, to the malignant types. Then move to the flashcards for recall. The decks on Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Ankylosing spondylitis and Common Conditions of the Hand and Wrist suit short sessions.

Using quizzes and maps together

Quizzes turn reading into practice. Try these in order:

1. Read one mind map on a single condition.
2. Answer a short quiz on the same topic, such as the Gout quiz or the Osteoporosis quiz.
3. Note what you missed and return to the map.
4. Finish with a wider paper, such as Orthopedic and Rheumatology Practice Questions.

For exam-style practice, MUSCULOSKELETAL USMLE Practice Qns presents clinical vignettes, including a nerve complaint after hip arthroplasty. Those are useful for university students and professional candidates working towards USMLE-type questions.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the strand Musculoskeletal, Skin and Special Senses, within Internal medicine, pathology and clinical semiology. Teachers can use the notes, slide sets and flowcharts, such as the Bone Tumors flowchart, as ready-made starting points for sessions.

Ready to begin? Open a map on a condition you find tricky, then test yourself on it.