STEP 1 Content Outline

Musculoskeletal System


Normal processes

  • embryonic development, fetal maturation, and perinatal changes
  • organ structure and function
  • cell/tissue structure and function
    • biology of bones, joints, tendons, skeletal muscle
    • exercise and physical conditioning
  • repair, regeneration, and changes associated with stage of life

Abnormal processes

  • infectious, inflammatory, and immunologic disorders
    • infectious disorders (eg, septic arthritis, Lyme disease, osteomyelitis)
    • inflammatory disorders (eg, fibrositis, synovitis, tenosynovitis)
    • immunologic disorders (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, polymyalgia rheumatica)
  • traumatic and mechanical disorders (eg, fractures, sprains, strains, dislocations, repetitive motion injuries)
  • neoplastic disorders (eg, osteosarcoma, metastatic disease)
  • metabolic, regulatory, and structural disorders (eg, dwarfism, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, osteodystrophy, gout, muscular dystrophy)
  • vascular disorders (eg, polyarteritis nodosa, bone infarcts)
  • systemic disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system (eg, diabetes mellitus)
  • idiopathic disorders (eg, Dupuytren contracture, scoliosis, Paget disease)
  • degenerative disorders (eg, disc disease, osteoarthritis)

Principles of therapeutics

  • mechanisms of action, use, and adverse effects of drugs for treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system
    • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics
    • muscle relaxants
    • antigout therapy (eg, allopurinol, colchicine, uricosuric drugs)
    • immunosuppressive drugs (eg, glucocorticoids, gold, cytotoxic agents)
    • drugs affecting bone mineralization (eg, bisphosphonates, calcitonin, estrogen analogs)
  • other therapeutic modalities (eg, radiation, surgery, casts, rehabilitation)

Gender, ethnic, and behavioral considerations affecting disease treatment and prevention, including psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and environmental

  • emotional and behavioral factors (eg, diet, exercise, seat belts, bicycle helmets)
  • influence on person, family, and society (eg, osteoporosis, fractures in elderly, alcohol abuse, and fractures)
  • occupational and other environmental risk factors (eg, athletes, musicians)
  • gender and ethnic factors (eg, bone mass)