This is the name of the condition that is causing the patient’s pain or other complaints.  In orthopedic medicine the diagnosis should include the exact anatomical structure (that is the tendon, muscle, ligament, joint, disc, meniscus, fascia, or other anatomical structure), that is actually injured or diseased.  In this way, knowing the anatomy of the injury, treatment can be directed, whether it is physical therapeutics or injection, directly at the site of the lesion.  (See lesion).  Any diagnosis that does not include the anatomy and file is less useful and imprecise.  The diagnosis and orthopedic medicine can often be achieved by performing a careful history and thorough physical examination.  Ancillary tests, such as x-rays, EMGs, ultrasound, MRI, et cetera, are sometimes required to either confirm the clinical diagnosis or help establish a diagnosis when it remains puzzling after the initial clinical visit.  Physical diagnosis, when the physician uses their hands to examine the patient and test each individual structure separately in order to discover the anatomical structure that is involved, is unfortunately a dying art.  Dr. Portner continues to practice and teach the art of physical diagnosis.