ABSTRACT
This chapter presents ten pearls of wisdom for general practitioners (GPs) for better understanding of orthopaedics and for more efficient use of resources. These pearls have been acquired from years of experience and evidence-based study by specialists in the field. The chapter presents advice on diagnoses often overlooked by GPs while handling patients with the complications of muscle retraction and atrophy. Diagnoses of the following diseases/disorders are recommended: calcific tendonitis, ulnar nerve problems, popeye biceps rupture, missed scaphoid fracture, and iliotibial band syndrome. The chapter provides guidance on how to distinguish tricky differentials and finally a few tips on prescribing medications for these patients. Intra-articular steroid injections can be a useful option to manage pain and improve function in osteoarthritic joints. They are most commonly used in the shoulder, first carpo-metacarpal joint, hip, knee and ankle.
