ABSTRACT
Among orthopedic surgeons, it is common practice to note the integrity of soft tissue, muscle and bone in the operative report. Direct visualization of musculoskeletal structures is possible for all practitioners who examine the oral cavity. Noting findings in the patient medical record is also valuable for orthopedics since the integrity of tongue, teeth and gums correlates with the overall musculoskeletal system. Bleeding gums may increase clinical suspicion that vitamin C levels are inadequate for collagen synthesis. Noting an enlarged, “beefy” tongue in a patient with musculoskeletal injury from frequent falls could expedite the diagnosis of pernicious anemia. Similarly inflamed gums point to a biotoxin burden, which is amenable to treatment. Treatment of periodontal disease has been shown to reduce morbidity of inflammation-related systemic conditions.
