Conditions

When a bone is in a weakened state, as in the case of osteoporosis, just about anything⎯including a strong sneeze or low-energy fall⎯can result in a fracture. Easily broken bones like these are known as fragility fractures. Keep reading to learn more.

Sudden pain, stiffness or loss of motion in the shoulder could be a condition called frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis. Although the cause of this condition is largely unknown, there are treatment options that can relieve symptoms more quickly. Read on to learn more.

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms as a herniation from a joint capsule or tendon sheath. The sac is attached to the joint or tendon sheath by a “stalk” that allows fluid to move into the pouch from the joint or sheath. The stalk functions as a valve and often limits fluid drainage out of the cyst, allowing the cyst to increase – but not decrease – in size. In some cases the stalk functions as a two-way valve, allowing fluid to travel in both directions. This can enable the cyst to increase and decrease in size based on activities.

If you’ve ever done an exercise like a bridge, deadlift, or squat, you’ve likely heard the emphasis placed on building up your glutes. The “glutes” are actually a set of muscles that work together, largely to support your hip and low back.

The largest of the gluteal muscles is your gluteus maximus, which helps to extend your hips. Underneath the gluteus maximus lies your gluteus medius, and under that, your gluteus minimus.

Between the three gluteal muscles, they function together to help support your hip, spine, and pelvis as you move through the world.

Specifically, your gluteus medius and gluteus minimus help you move your hip into abduction, which is the movement you would make if you were standing and moving your straight leg out to the side. They also work to help stabilize your hip, which is important for activities like walking, climbing stairs, hiking, and many other tasks you may do on a daily basis.

A tendon is a part of a muscle that helps to connect the muscle to a bone. For example, in the case of the gluteus medius, the tendon attaches the muscle to its insertion, which is a bony portion of your femur (thigh bone) called the greater trochanter. When these muscles become stressed over time, it can lead to tears along the tendon.

This condition, commonly called golfer’s elbow, is an inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscles of the forearm to the elbow. The pain is primarily felt at the medial epicondyle, the bony bump on the inner side of the elbow.

Inside the Elbow
The elbow joint is a complex group of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Medial epicondylitis involves the flexor muscles, which control the flexion of the wrist and fingers, and the flexor tendons, which anchor the muscles to the medial epicondyle

This is a type of arthritis that affects the base of the big toe. It forms in the metatarsophalangeal joint(we call it the “MTP” joint). With hallux rigidus, the protective cartilage on the ends of these bones wears away. Bone rubs against bone. Bony growths called “bone spurs” may form. Your toe stiffens, and this can make walking uncomfortable.

This sudden, painful injury common to athletes results from a pull or tear in one or more of the three muscles that run along the back of the thigh. It is one of those “you know it when you feel it” kind of injuries and, in severe cases, may require surgical repair. Keep reading to learn more.

The hamstring muscle is located on the back of the thigh. A hamstring tendon strain, or a pulled hamstring, is a common injury in sports that involve sprinting or jumping. The severity of the strain can be graded from 1 to 3, with 1 being a minor tear, grade 2 a larger tear, and grade 3 representing a total rupture of the muscle.

Nearly 20 percent of Americans have arthritis in at least one joint. Arthritis of the hand or wrist can be quite painful and can interfere with everyday activities such as getting dressed. Learn more about causes, symptoms and treatments.

This is a break in one or more of the five bones of the hand. These bones are called the “metacarpals.” A fractured metacarpal can shift out of place. Without proper care, it may not heal correctly.

When the tissue that connects muscle to bone (known as the tendon) is cut, torn or injured, it’s like a rubber band being snipped from a bundle: it’s impossible for it to repair itself. Learn more about flexor and extensor tendon injuries of the hand.

This condition is a rupture of one of the vertebral discs in your neck. A herniated disc can allow disc material to press harmfully against the spinal nerves.

Between the vertebrae of your spine are soft discs. They let your spine twist and bend. They absorb shocks. But if damaged, the disc’s soft center can push through the disc wall. That’s a herniated disc. This bulge presses against nerves in your spine.

This condition is an abnormally high arch of the foot that results in an excessive amount of body weight being directed to the ball and heel of the foot. Cavus foot can be congenital or acquired, may develop at any age, and can affect one or both feet.

This degenerative condition results from the breakdown of cushiony cartilage in the hip joints. While age plays a significant role, not everyone of a certain age will develop it. Learn more about how an orthopedic specialist can help relieve symptoms.

This is a type of arthritis that can affect people of all ages. It’s not the same as the most common form of arthritis, called “osteoarthritis.” That type commonly comes from wear and tear. Inflammatory arthritis can develop without any wear and tear at all.

This is an irritation or swelling of the trochanteric bursa. This small, fluid-filled sac is found on the outer side of the femur. It acts as a cushion for the iliotibial band, a thick tendon in your leg.

With this injury, the head of your femur (which is shaped like a ball) slips out of your hip socket. It may slip forward or backward out of position. This can damage structures around the joint.

Like other types of dysplasia, dysplasia of the hip refers to an abnormality in the anatomical structure. It may also be called development dislocation of the hip (DDH), acetabular dysplasia or congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH). Keep reading to learn more.

This is a type of arthritis that can affect people of all ages. It’s not the same as the most common form of arthritis, called “osteoarthritis.” That type commonly comes from wear and tear. Inflammatory arthritis can develop without any wear and tear at all.

If your hip joint hurts, or if it catches or clicks when you move your leg, you may have a torn labrum. That’s a rim of tissue that surrounds the hip’s socket. It helps to deepen the socket and cushion the joint. A torn labrum can keep the hip joint from working smoothly.

If you have a strange sensation in your hip joint, it could be a “loose body.” That’s a bit of bone or cartilage that has broken away and moves around in your joint.

The hip, also known as a “ball-and-socket” joint, is one of the body’s strongest joints. Your hip joint is made up of your pelvis and the top of your long leg bone, the femur. Together, they work to help you move freely through the world and do all of those tasks that help you get through your day like walking, jogging, getting into and out of the car, getting into and out of bed, picking up a dropped pen, and so much more. When a part of the hip joint is injured or irritated, it can lead to pain, which can be caused by a
number of different potential diagnoses or conditions.

Joint pain is a common problem for many people. It can keep you from doing the things you want to do. It can make it hard for you to be as active as you like. Let’s take a moment to learn about the causes of joint pain, and what you can do about it.

The knee joint, often referred to as a ‘hinge joint’, is made up of two long leg bones – your femur and tibia. Also in your knee joint are structures like ligaments or bursas. There are types of soft
tissue that surround your knee, like the muscles around your thigh and leg. All of these components work together to support your knee joint and keep you moving well. When a part of that joint is injured or irritated, it can lead to pain. Knee pain can be experienced by just about anyone at just about any age, although the causes can vary.

A hunched, rounded spine or hunchback is not only an indication of poor posture; it could be a symptom of a structural condition known as kyphosis. Most often, this spine condition manifests itself in the mid-back (thoracic) region. This condition is a deformity of the spine. With it, your vertebrae change from a cylindrical shape to a wedge shape. Your spine may begin to curve forward. Eventually, this gives your upper back a rounded appearance.

Like many other shoulder conditions, the prevalent symptom of this condition is pain. This time, though, the pain results from a tear in the cartilage or labrum of the shoulder joint that holds the arm bone in place. Find out what causes it and how it’s treated.

Though less common than a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury, the pain of an LCL injury can be just as severe. Injuries can involve partial or full tears, most of which require surgical repair. Read on to learn more about this injury to the outer side of the knee.

Named after the French war surgeon who first described it, this condition ranges from minor (strained or torn ligaments) to major (dislocation or fracture). This is an injury of the middle part of the foot, where the metatarsal bones of the forefoot connect to the cuneiform bones of the midfoot. It can involve torn ligaments, broken bones or a combination of both. And, it can involve more than one joint.

It can happen at any time, and is the second most common reason people see a primary care doctor. It affects more than 80 percent of all adults. And it can be acute or chronic. “It” is low back, or lumbar, pain. Find out what the triggers and treatments are.