Yes, call me a myth-buster!  In my recent family medicine journal there is a fantastic article (with research to back up their recommendations) that helps with musculoskeletal issues.  Which of these categories do you fit in?!

Are you a middle-aged patient with a meniscal tear (and little to no arthritis in that knee)?  If so, consider NOT having arthroscopic surgery as long-term outcomes with pain or function may be better after conservative management of physical therapy.

Do you have knee pain with degenerative joint disease?  If so, injections of (expensive) hyaluronic acid help only minimally more than placebo injections.

If you have knee osteoarthritis consider buying normal walking shoes, not “specially-designed walking shoes” as they both help with pain and function the same

If you have chronic low back pain, consider physical therapy to help for pain and disability, only have a lumbar fusion surgery as a last resort.

If you have chronic non-cancer pain, avoid long-acting opioids.  Long-acting opioids significantly increase the risk of premature death.

More myth-busting to come…