Ankle
Arthritis
Approximately 43 million Americans suffer from one of three types of arthritis. It can interfere with our ability to walk and work and can be the cause of debilitating pain.
- Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. It affects many joints throughout the body. Wear and tear causes changes in the mechanical structure of the cartilage, which lead to its breakdown. Over time complete loss of the articular cartilage can occur. Changes in the underlying bone and loss of cartilage can result in joint space narrowing, bone spurs, loss of motion, pain and disability.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition. It affects the lining of all joints in the body. The person’s immune system damages the joint surfaces by causing an inflammatory response in the joint lining which destroys the articular cartilage and surrounding tissues.
- Post traumatic arthritis — Develops as a result of traumatic damage to the joint.
In general, the treatment of arthritis involves activity modification, exercises, and treatment with anti-inflammatory medications. The use of assist devices such as canes, crutches or walkers can also be helpful. Occasionally surgical reconstruction such as total joint replacement is necessary.
Information from The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Information from the Arthritis Foundation
Information from The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Back
Four out of five adults will experience significant low back pain sometime during their life. Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors:
- Protruding disk
- Age
- Osteoporosis and Fractures
- Sprain and strain
Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, the small fluid-filled sac that acts like a cushion between muscles and tendons, or between muscles and bones.
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Bursitis of the hip
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Collarbone
Because it lies close to the surface of the skin, the collarbone (clavicle) is very susceptible to fractures. But it is also involved in shoulder separations, which are almost as common and often as painful.
Dislocations
Dislocations occur when the bone has slipped out of its normal position in a joint where two bones meet. Dislocations can occur in any joint, but the shoulder is the most likely of all of the joints to dislocate.
Elbow
Also see Dislocations, Bursitis, Tendinitis
Information from the American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeons
Information from the Arthritis Foundation
Tennis Elbow
Information from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Foot
Heel
Achilles Tendon Ruptures or Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is the most frequently ruptured tendon in the body.
More info
Fractures
Fractures result whenever a bone is hit by enough force to make it break, creating either a small crack or, in a serious fracture, a complete break. Fractures require immediate attention, as the bone deformity may be putting pressure on important soft tissue structures such as nerves and blood vessels.
Stress Fractures
Hand
Heel – See Foot and Hip
Also see Dislocations, Fractures, Strains
Hip Fractures
This is one of the most serious health problems among elderly men and women.
More info
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)
Knee
Information from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Information from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Knee ligament injuries, including ACL Tear of the Knee
More info
Leg
Shin Splints and Stress Fractures
Neck
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” This condition develops when bone is no longer replaced as quickly as it is removed.
Shoulder
Also see Dislocations, Bursitis, Tendinitis
Fact sheet and brochure from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
AC Joint Injuries
Sprains and Strains
A sprain is a stretching or tearing of one or more ligaments (bands of tissue that connect bones to each other). A strain is an injury that damages the structure of a muscle or tendon (cords of tissue that attach muscles to bone).
Information from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Information from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Tendonitis/Tendinitis
Tendonitis/tendinitis is inflammation of the tendon, which attaches muscle to bone.
Also see Foot, Achilles Tendon.
More info