Musculoskeletal Management Matters: Principles of Assessment and Triage for the Nurse Practitioner

• Nurse practitioners play a key role in the managing musculoskeletal conditions
• Managing musculoskeletal disorders is a challenge to many nurse practitioners
• Mastering a systematic approach to musculoskeletal assessment improves confidence
• Understanding interprofessional team member roles enhances musculoskeletal care
• Applying clinical reasoning to musculoskeletal triage does not require expertise

Musculoskeletal complaints in the primary care setting are ubiquitous. The burden of musculoskeletal disease is significant and poised to rise as the population ages and health care costs increase. Nurse practitioners have unique knowledge and communication skills to manage health issues, but often lack the musculoskeletal training and skills necessary to confidently guide patient recovery. Primary care management incorporating principles of musculoskeletal assessment and sound clinical reasoning can assist the nurse practitioner to decide which patients can be managed under a watchful waiting approach, and which ones require specialty referral or imaging. Thoughtful triage can serve to improve patient satisfaction and reduce unnecessary costs.