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Letters to the Editor to:

Scientific Articles:
Elizabeth Matzkin, Major Eric L. Smith, Captain David Freccero, and Allen B. Richardson
Adequacy of Education in Musculoskeletal Medicine
J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005; 87: 310-314 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
*Letters to the Editor: Submit a response to this article

Electronic letters published:

[Read Letter to the Editor] Dr. Matzkin and Colleagues respond to Dr. Peck
Elizabeth G. Matzkin, Major Eric L. Smith, Captain David Freccero   (25 October 2005)
[Read Letter to the Editor] D.C's Are Here To Help
Timothy A. Peck   (9 August 2005)

Dr. Matzkin and Colleagues respond to Dr. Peck 25 October 2005
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Elizabeth G. Matzkin,
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Foundry Sports Medicine and Fitness, 285 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908,
Major Eric L. Smith, Captain David Freccero

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Re: Dr. Matzkin and Colleagues respond to Dr. Peck

ematzki{at}aol.com Elizabeth G. Matzkin, et al.

We would like to thank Dr. Peck for his interest in our article. We administered the basic musculoskeletal competency exam to credentialed physicians at two medical centers and thus we are unable to comment about the level of understanding of musculoskeletal medicine amongst alternative providers.

We agree that some health care providers are competent in their level of understanding of musculoskeletal medicine and these providers can be an asset in the “team” approach to treating patients with musculoskeletal injuries. Overall, however, the level of musculoskeletal understanding of non-orthopaedic providers was poor. Our study did show a significantly higher score on the musculoskeletal competency exam for those providers who had additional training in orthopaedics.

We are not familiar with the specific musculoskeletal training nor the abilities of chiropractors and thus cannot endorse the comments made by Dr. Peck.

Perhaps in the future, a similar peer reviewed study evaluating the level of musculoskeletal understanding of additional providers such as physician assistants, nurses and chiropractors should be performed to answer this question.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Matzkin, Major Eric L. Smith, Captain David Freccero

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the United States Government.
D.C's Are Here To Help 9 August 2005
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Timothy A. Peck,
Chiropractic Physician

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Re: D.C's Are Here To Help

dr4bax{at}noww.us Timothy A. Peck

To The Editor:

As a chiropractic doctor, I evaluate and treat non surgical orthopedic conditions on a daily basis. I have strong referrals from internal medicine and family physicians. If the case is surgical, I refer to the surgeon. It appears that the orthopaedic surgeon's evaluation and the Chiropractor's nearly mirror one another.

The message of this letter is that a reputable chiropractor is well versed in the evaluation and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal conditions and can be a great team member to primary care and ortho surgeons. I know that the stigma towards chiropractors is still alive and well in many medical circles. I have found that many medical doctors simply were not aware or have been mislead about the training and abilities of a good chiropractor.

Sincerely,

Timothy A. Peck, DC