Orthopedics: Most Popular Articles
Knee pain is a common orthopedic problem, and patients often complain of different knee pain symptoms. What do these symptoms mean? Learn about what causes knee popping, clicking, giving way, and locking.
A swollen knee is a common complaint of people with knee pain. Learn the causes of knee swelling and what treatments might help this condition.
Calf pain occurs when there is pain in the back of the leg between the knee and ankle. Determining the cause of calf pain can guide treatment.
Shoulder pain is an extremely common complaint that has many causes. Determining the diagnosis can help guide effect treatment of shoulder pain.
Cortisone injections are safe treatments for inflammation including bursitis, tendonitis, and arthritis. Learn about how a steroid shot can help.
Knee pain is a common complaint that has many causes. Determining the cause of your knee pain allows for optimal treatment to begin.
A meniscus tear is an injury that can cause pain in the knee joint. Often referred to as torn cartilage, treatment may require surgery.
Shoulder bursitis is the most common causes of shoulder pain. Often called rotator cuff tendonitis, there are a number of treatments available.
Tendonitis is a condition that causes pain and swelling of tendons. Tendonitis means there is inflammation. Prompt treatment helps relive symptoms.
Cortisone injections are often used to treat orthopedic problems. By decreasing inflammation, a cortisone injection can be a powerful treatment for many conditions. Many people are concerned about cortisone injections and wonder about the side effects of this treatment.
There are many types of lumps and bumps that can be found on hands and wrists. Some of these bumps are cysts, some are tumors, and others are bone spurs. Learn about the common lumps and bumps found on and around the hand and wrist.
Wrist pain is an extremely common complaint that has many causes. Because we use our arms for so many common activities, wrist pain can cause significant problems. In order for proper treatment of wrist pain, the cause of the problem must be identified.
A heel spur is a hook of bone that forms on the bone at the back of the foot. Heel spurs cause pain on the bottom of the foot.
Heel pain is a common complaint that can be caused by several conditions. Treatment of heel pain consists of rest, inserts, and simple exercises.
A torn labrum is an injury to the shoulder joint. Labral tears can cause pain, instability, and difficulty with activities. Learn about the treatments available for a torn labrum, including surgery.
Ice or heat, that is the question. Some injuries need ice, others need heat. Which is appropriate for your condition?
A groin pull is a sports injury that is due to a strain of the muscles of the inner thigh. Proper treatment can help speed your return from this pulled muscle.
Hip pain is a common complaint that has many causes. Once the cause of your hip pain can be determined, appropriate treatment can begin.
People who sustain an MCL tear may complain of the knee giving out. Treatment of an MCL tear is almost always non-surgical.
ACL tears are a common knee injury that can cause pain and instability. Learn about treatment options, and the prognosis after sustaining an ACL tear.
Learn how to properly ice an injury to speed your recovery. Using ice can help decrease inflammation and swelling with many common conditions.
Knee arthritis can cause symptoms of pain, swelling, and difficulty with activities. Learn about treatments available for symptoms of knee arthritis.
Achilles tendonitis is a common problem that causes heel pain. Treatment of Achilles tendonitis is focused on non-surgical options for most patients.
Ankle sprains are a common cause of pain and swelling. A sprained ankle can heal quickly with appropriate treatment and rehab.
Information about wrist tendonitis, a common problem that can cause pain and swelling around the wrist. Wrist tendonitis is due to inflammation of the tendon sheath. Treatment of wrist tendonitis usually does not require surgery.
Patella injuries are a common orthopedic injury and cause of pain. The patella, or kneecap is important in the mechanics of your joint, and irritation of the kneecap can cause pain and problems.
Hip bursitis is a common condition that causes pain over the outside of the hip joint. Misdiagnosis is common in patients with hip bursitis, but once the proper diagnosis has been made, most people can find relief with simple, non-invasive treatments.
Common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include pain and an inability to raise the arm above the head. A rotator cuff tear can be painful, cause difficulty sleeping, and lead to chronic shoulder problems. These are some of the signs and symptoms of a rotator cuff tear.
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes heel and arch pain. It is due to irritation and inflammation of the tight tissue that forms the arch of the foot. Common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include heel pain with prolonged walking and standing.
NSAIDs are anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve), that help treat pain and reduce inflammation.
Back pain is a common cause of disability. Learn about the common causes of back pain and what treatments may help with your condition.
Muscle strains, also called pulled muscles, are common sports injuries. The treatment of a muscle pull depends on the particular injury
Sciatica is a cause of leg pain, tingling and numbness. Often described as an electric shock that travels down the leg, sciatica is the result of a pinched nerve.
Arthritis is commonly seen in the joints of the fingers. The knuckle joints of the fingers are frequently affected in patients with osteoarthritis, also called wear-and-tear arthritis. Finger arthritis can cause problems with activities that involve the hands, and may require treatment.
How long after being given a cortisone injection does it take for the medication to take effect? A cortisone injection, also called a steroid shot, is commonly used in orthopedics in the treatment of many conditions. Pain relief from a cortisone injection ususally takes a few days to a few weeks.
Athletes can sustain an injury known as an abdominal strain or a pulled abdominal muscle. Learn about treatment of this injury.
Chondromalacia is one of the causes of anterior knee pain, or patellofemoral pain syndrome. Chondromalacia is a cartilage problem of the kneecap.
Elbow bursitis occurs when there is pain and swelling in the back of the joint. People with elbow bursitis usually improve with simple treatment.
Patients who sustain a broken bone, or a fracture, want to heal as quickly as possible. Learn how you can speed healing a broken bone.
Elbow pain is a common complaint that has many causes. In order for proper treatment of elbow pain, the cause of the problem must be identified.
Arch pain is a common foot complaint. Arch pain, also sometimes called a strain, often causes inflammation under the foot.
A low back strain, often called a lumbar strain, is an injury to the large muscles in the lumbar spine. Treatment can usually be effective with a few simple steps.
Rotator cuff tears are a common injury of the shoulder. Learn more about a rotator cuff tear, and what can be done for treatment of this condition.
Cortisone injections are commonly used in treatment of orthopedic conditions. Cortisone injections help to limit inflammation and can cause a decrease in pain. Is there a limit to the number of cortisone injections a patient can have?
An ACL tear is a common problem in athletes. When an ACL tear occurs, surgery may be needed. While an ACL repair is seldom possible, an ACL reconstruction may be an option.
The muscles and tendons in the back of the foot must be stretched along with the bottom of the foot. A simple calf stretch is to push against a wall to stretch the back of the leg. Page 2.
Shoulder pain is a common problem, but finding the cause can be a difficult task. Learn about common symptoms of shoulder pain and what these may mean.
Popping and snapping are common symptoms found in patients with knee pain. Often popping and snapping are associated with damaged meniscus or cartilage.
Finger sprains and dislocations are injuries to the ligaments and soft tissues around the small joints of the fingers. It is important to obtain a proper diagnosis of a sprained finger so that your treatment is appropriate for the injury.
Athletes who sustain a groin strain have injured the muscle of their inner thigh. An important part of treatment of a groin strain is a stretching program. Groin injuries can also be prevented with an appropriate stretching routine.
Learn the basic steps for how to treat a sprained ankle. Most people can find recovery with some simple steps for treatment of ankle sprains.
Water on the knee is what many people say to describe a swollen knee. Determining the cause of the water on the knee will guide the most appropriate and effective treatment of this condition.
One of the common back problems is a herniated disc, a condition that can cause pressure on the spinal nerves. Learn about a herniated disc and the treatments available.
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint that is surrounded by a ring of cartilage called the hip labrum. Injuries to the joint can result in a hip labral tear.
Information about patellar tendonitis, or inflammation of the patellar tendon, a condition often called Jumper's Knee. Treatment of patellar tendonitis usually consists of rest and anti-inflammatory medication.
Ankle swelling is a common symptom of many conditions of this joint. Determining the correct cause of ankle swelling can help to guide the most effective treatment.
Patellar subluxation occurs when the kneecap is pulled laterally as it tracks while the knee joint is bending. In some patients, patellar subluxation can result in kneecap dislocation, a painful situation when the kneecap pops out of place.
Leg cramps are painful, unexpected muscle spasms that often occur in the lower extremity. Treatment of leg cramps can help to relieve these painful episodes.
Iliotibial band syndrome, or ITBS, is commonly a cause of lateral sided knee pain. Treatment of IT band syndrome can usually be accomplished with simple steps.
A fibula fracture is an injury to the lower leg. Most often, a broken fibula is a type of ankle fracture, although there are other types of fractures of this bone. Treatment of a fibula fracture depends on the type of break that occurred.
Anti-inflammatory medications, call NSAIDs, are used for treatment of many problems. These medications include motrin, ibuprofen, and aleve.
Foot pain cause problems under the ball of the forefoot. Treatment of foot pain in this area can usually be accomplished with footwear and shoe inserts.
Piriformis syndrome is a condition of pain in the buttocks. Piriformis syndrome is thought to be due to an irritation of the sciatic nerve.
Wrist ganglion cysts are lumps usually found on the back of the hand. Treatment of a ganglion cyst is only necessary if there is pain.
Ankle sprain treatment can be performed with a few simple steps. It is important that sprained ankles are appropriately treated to speed recovery.
Foot pain is a common complaint and can cause symptoms with every step you take. Here are some products that help control foot pain.
ORIF is an abbreviation for open reduction, internal fixation. ORIF is the abbreviation used when a patient needs surgery to have a fracture, broken bone, fixed in surgery.
Synvisc is an injectable treatment used for knee arthritis. Often called a 'joint lubrication,' Synvisc is a thick, slippery fluid that is a normal component of joint fluid. Synvisc is a slippery, or viscous, substance that is injected into the knee joint.
Among the most common orthopedics problems, bursitis causes inflammation and pain around joints. Learn about bursitis, and possible treatment options.
A humerus fracture is an injury to the upper arm bone. There are several types of humerus fractures, and most humerus fractures have successful treatment without surgery. Read on for more information about humerus fractures.
Groin pain is often a sign of a problem inside the hip joint. Common conditions that cause groin pain include muscle strains, arthritis, and labral tears.
What is the difference between a fracture and a break? The words fracture and broken bone mean the same thing.
A calf strain occurs when there is a muscle spasm in the back of the leg. Treatment available for a calf strain can help relieve pain and prevent this problem.
Wrist sprains are an injury to the ligaments of the joint. A sprained wrist can usually heal with simple treatments. Page 1 of 2.
Spinal stenosis is a common cause of back and leg pain. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the canal in which the spinal cord travels. Spinal stenosis can cause pinched nerves, and may require cortisone injections, physical therapy, or even surgery for relief.
Glucosamine is a building block of cartilage. Chondroitin is helpful in strengthening cartilage. Together, glucosamine and chondroitin are treatments for arthritis.
A Baker's Cyst, or a popliteal cyst, is a collection of fluid on the back of the knee. A Baker's Cyst is usually caused by fluid from the knee joint collecting behind the knee. Treatment of a Baker's Cyst involves treatment of the cause of the fluid accumulation.
Heel pain is a common complaint, but diagnosing the cause of the problem can be a difficult task. Learn about causes of posterior heel pain and what treatments are available for posterior heel pain. Conditions discussed include plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and heel spurs.
Posterior tibial tendonitis is a common ankle problem that can cause pain on the inner side of the foot and ankle. Posterior tibial tendonitis tends to occur as an overuse injury. Most often treatment of posterior tibial tendonitis requires resting the tendon.
An avulsion fracture is an injury to the bone where a tendon or ligament attaches. Most avulsion fractures can be treated without surgery.
A buckle fracture is a common injury in children. Buckle fractures are incomplete fractures of the bone that heal quickly with a cast.
Arthritis can affect the small joints of the lumbar spine called the facet joints. Lumbar spine arthritis is commonly seen in patients with other spine conditions including lumbar disc disease and spinal stenosis.
Rotator cuff surgery is performed when the rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder have been torn. Rehab after rotator cuff surgery helps recovery.
A femur fracture is an injury to the thigh bone usually caused by a major injury. Treatment of a broken femur most often requires surgery.
A wrist fracture is a common orthopedic injury. Patients who sustain a broken wrist may be treated in a cast, or may need surgery for treatment.
Prepatellar bursitis is a problem of inflammation of the bursa over the front of the knee, just above the kneecap.
Casts are used from the treatment of broken bones and other orthopedic conditions. Having a smelly cast is a common complaint--the odor under a cast can become quite awful. What can you do to prevent a stinky cast, and how can you help improve the odor from a smelly cast?
There are many treatment available for hip arthritis from simple to invasive. Learn about the diagnosis of hip arthritis and which treatments may be helpful.
A meniscus repair is a surgical procedure performed on the torn knee cartilage. If there is a chance that the cartilage tear can heal, a meniscus repair is an option.
Costochondritis is a condition that can cause chest pain and discomfort. Also called Tietze's Syndrome, costochondritis is due to inflammation of the cartilage in the chest wall. Treatment of costochondritis usually responds to some simple measures.
A shoulder separation is an injury to the AC joint on the top of the shoulder. These injuries occur with a fall on the outside of the shoulder.
A frozen shoulder is a condition that causes pain and limited motion of the shoulder joint. Finding the cause of a frozen shoulder can be difficult.
Which joint supplements are best? There are many options for treatment of arthritis, and several different joint supplements. Do the joint supplements work? Which ones should I buy?
A pulled hamstring is a sports injury that causes pain and muscle spasm in the back of the thigh. Knowing about strains can help with treatment.
Platelet rich plasma, abbreviated PRP, is a treatment for patients with tendon injuries that may be slow healing. PRP injections can be done in a doctor's office.
Orthopedics is the study of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic doctors help patients with the diagnosis of problems associated with the bone, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves of the body. Orthopedics is one of many medical specialties.
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Lumbar spine conditions can cause tingling and numbness to extend down the legs. The nerves that provide sensory information to the brain can become pinched in the back. Abnormal signals to these nerves can cause symptoms including tingling and numbness.
Running injuries are common, and often expected from athletes who participate in this activity. Learn about common running injuries and what you can do for treatment.
After shoulder injuries and shoulder surgery, some simple exercises can help you make a full recovery. Learn a few shoulder stretches and exercises.
A broken finger is a common injury that can have serious consequences. Finger fractures require appropriate treatment to ensure that function of the hands and fingers is not limited after healing. Determining the appropriate treatment of a finger fracture requires evaluation by a medical provider familiar with different types of finger fractures.
Knee pain has many different causes, but almost all can be helped with proper rehab and exercises to strengthen the joint. Knee rehab is usually guided by a physical therapist, but here are some simple exercises to get you started.
A SLAP tear of the shoulder is an injury to the labrum of the shoulder joint. SLAP tears typically cause pain when performing overhead activities, such as throwing a ball. Treatment of a SLAP tear may require surgery.
What are signs you need, or don't need, hip replacement surgery. Learn how to know when the time is right for you to have hip replacement surgery.
Knee instability, or the sensation of the knee giving out, is usually caused by an injury to a ligament. The sensation of instability, or giving way, can also be caused by other knee conditions.
A patella fracture is an injury to the kneecap. Most patella fractures heal well and patients tend to return to their previous level of activities.
A simple how to on stretching. Before exercising, a proper stretching routine can help prevent injury.
A simple how to on proper lifting. Learn how lifting properly can prevent back pain and other problems. Some basic tips will teach lifting technique and ways to avoid injury.
Calcific tendonitis is a condition of calcium deposits within the rotator cuff tendons. The cause of calcific tendonitis is not well understood. Calcific tendonitis proceeds though predictable stages and often resolves with simple treatments.
There are several options for treatment of a meniscus tear. Many people can find relief with non-invasive treatments, while other require surgery for pain relief. Learn about options for meniscus tear treatment.
Tibial plateau fractures occur just below the knee joint and can involve the cartilage surface of the knee. Tibial plateau fractures may be treated surgically to realign the broken bone and restore stability to the knee joint. Page 2.
Physical therapy is an important part of treatment for many conditions. Physical therapists can help regain mobility and return to activity.
PCL tears are injuries to one of the four major knee ligaments. Isolated PCL tears can most often be treated without surgery.
Rehabilitation is one of the most important aspects of ACL surgery. Learn about the steps of ACL rehabilitation and what to expect. Knowing the goals of rehab will help you speed your recovery and return to activities following ACL reconstruction surgery.
Persistent pain after knee replacement is the most common complication after this surgery. While most people are worried about risks including infection and blood clot, the most common reason people are not satisfied with their outcome after knee replacement is persistent discomfort.
Finger popping, snapping, and clicking are all common symptoms. They may be painful or pain-free symptoms.
Wondering if your joint pain is caused by arthritis? Here are the warning signs of arthritis so you know if you have joint inflammation.
Plica syndrome of the knee is a condition that can cause pain within the knee joint. Plica syndrome is caused by irritation to synovial tissues of the knee. This inflammation can cause pain and swelling. Treatment of plica syndrome may involve arthroscopic surgery.
Knee replacement surgery is a common treatment for severe arthritis. Learn about the details of knee replacement and what to expect from this surgery.
MRI is a test that is used to diagnose many common orthopedic problems. However, patients cannot have a MRI if they have some types of metal implants. Fortunately, most orthopedic implants are safe for MRI machines.
Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, is a common cause of elbow pain. There are many treatments for tennis elbow that may provide relief.
Muscle soreness after exercise is a common complaint of many athletes. The cause of muscle soreness is thought to be primarily due to inflammation of the muscle. Therefore, treatments focused on the muscle inflammation are recommended for alleviating muscle soreness after exercise.
Locking is a symptom of some common knee problems. When your doctor asks if your knee locks, he or she is trying to determine the cause of your knee pain symptoms.
Information about tarsal tunnel syndrome, an unusual cause of heel, ankle, and foot pain. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of a nerve within the tarsal tunnel of the foot. This condition, similar to carpal tunnel syndrome of the hand, is often confused with plantar fasciitis.
A cortisone flare is a reaction to a cortisone injection. Usually this
A broken bone often requires the use of a cast. One problem is trying to keep a cast dry, but there are options to prevent a cast from getting wet.
Examining the knee is a critical part to determining the cause of knee pain. Learn about some of the tests your doctor will perform to determine the cause of your knee pain.
One of the concerns after a knee replacement surgery is a stiff knee. Stiffness after knee replacement is a common problem, and can often be treated with simple steps.
Ankle pain is a common complaint with many causes. Determining the cause of your symptoms may be straightforward, or it may require special tests to make a diagnosis.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common problem that causes pain and numbness in the hand and fingers. Learn about symptoms of this problem and treatment options.
A metacarpal fracture is an injury to one of the small bones in the hand. The bone is located at the level of the palm of the hand. Metacarpal fractures are often treated in a cast or may require surgery in some situations.
Learn how to become an orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic surgeons treat a variety of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Orthopedic surgeons may treat arthritis, fractures, ligament and tendon injuries, and many other common problems
A torn patellar tendon is a serious injury to the knee. Most often occurring in men during sports activities, a patellar tendon tear should have surgery to repair the damaged tendon.
Femoral neck fractures are common hip fractures where the ball of the ball and socket hip joint is broken off. Femoral neck fractures usually require surgery for treatment, and often use hip replacement surgery for the treatment of these injuries. Page 2.
A clavicle fracture is an injury to the collarbone of the shoulder. Treatment for a broken collarbone depends on a number of factors, and may include surgery.
Snapping hip syndrome is an unusual cause of hip pain, but can be bothersome. There are several causes of a snapping hip syndrome and the treatments are different.
CPM, or continuous passive motion, is a machine that slowly and gently flexes and extends the knee. These devices have been used after knee surgery with the goal of improving range of motion of the knee joint.
A Bankart tear is an injury to the labrum of the shoulder. When a shoulder dislocates, the labrum will often tear, and this is called a Bankart tear.
The calcaneus is the bone in heel. Calcaneus fractures can be severe injuries and often lead to problems of chronic pain in the foot. Treatment of a broken heel bone depends on the severity of the fracture.
Metal implants are used to hold broken bones in proper position. In some cases metal implants, plates, screws, and rods may be removed.
A biceps tenodesis is a surgical procedure performed for the treatment of tendonitis of the biceps tendon. When a biceps tenodesis is performed, the tendon is cut and reattached to the arm bone.
A trigger finger is a problem that causes a painful snapping in the hand. Most people with trigger finger can find relief with simple treatment.
One of the best treatments of back pain is with stretches and exercises of the muscles. Learn some helpful back stretches and exercises.
Cortisone injections are used for many orthopedic problems. Are cortisone injections safe or are they harmful?
Partial knee replacement is a minimally invasive procedure also called unicompartmental knee replacement. The minimally invasive partial knee surgery is used to treat knees that have arthritis in specific areas.
Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes numbness and burning pain over the outside of the thigh. The cause of meralgia paresthetica is compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Causes of compression of this nerve include pregnancy, tight clothing or belts, obesity, and other conditions.
Rotator cuff treatment may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory pain medications, cortisone injections, and surgery. Proper rotator cuff treatment and rehab may help prevent surgery. Learn about treatments available for a rotator cuff tear.
A bone spur, or an osteophyte, is a common finding, particularly in patients with arthritis. When bone spurs are seen on x-ray, it is used as an indicator as to the severity of the arthritis. Bone spurs can also be seen in conditions such as tendonitis and bursitis.
A proximal humerus fracture, also called a broken shoulder, is a common injury. Proximal humerus fractures occur when the ball or the ball-and-socket shoulder joint is broken.
Arthritis is the word used to describe inflammation of a joint. The most common cause of arthritis is due to wear and tear arthritis or osteoarthritis. Other cause of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, infections, and other conditions.