3 Possible Alternatives to Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgery can provide welcome relief for a wide range of conditions that may affect bones and joints. Yet it's an option most patients would prefer to avoid whenever possible, primarily due to concerns about being sidelined by a lengthy recovery process. Whether you are dealing with knee pain from a damaged anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or chronic back pain from degenerative disc disease, there are non-surgical alternatives you may...
Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Overuse of your hands, wrists, and fingers can lead to serious strain and damage to the nerves, ligaments, and tendons in this part of your body. Learn what carpal tunnel syndrome is and how doctors commonly treat it today. What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive injury that afflicts the hands, wrists, and fingers as well as the forearm and elbow in some cases. It is most often...
How to Prepare for Orthopedic Surgery
Often a last resort if other treatments fail to provide relief, orthopedic surgery can be performed on any of the bones, soft tissues, joints, and nerves within the body. Many of the procedures performed today involve less invasive techniques, and frequently performed operations like spinal fusion and ACL reconstructive surgery have high success rates. Regardless of what's being corrected or restored to ease or eliminate your musculoskeletal pain, being as...
Treatments for Thumb Arthritis
Experiencing thumb pain is a sign that something is not right in that part of the hand, but since most pain goes away soon enough, it may be nothing to worry over. When the pain lingers, it's time to consider that a more serious problem is present. The issue could be arthritis of the thumb. What is Thumb Arthritis? One in five adults have some type of doctor-diagnosed arthritis, which means over...
How a Fractured Bone Heals
Broken bones or fractures are a common phenomenon. Research shows every one will experience two broken bones on average in their lifetime. In the United States, for instance, there are approximately two million fractures annually, including fractures in patients afflicted by osteoporosis. Most of these patients heal naturally. Some fractures, however, are associated with a high risk of non-union, delayed union, and other problems caused by risk factors including diabetes,...
Achilles Tendonitis Hinders Athletic Activity
Achilles tendonitis is common among athletes. It also occurs in "weekend warriors" who engage in infrequent but intense bursts of physical activity. This painful condition may curtail your activities for several weeks. Achilles Tendonitis Symptoms The main symptom of Achilles tendonitis is a burning or throbbing pain in the back of your leg, from your heel up through your calf. You might notice stiffness early in the morning. The pain often gets...
Treating a Torn Tendon
The tendons connect bones and muscles together. During times of intense physical activity or movement such as running or walking, tendons can experience intense forces. Some tendons are more prone to tears than others. The four most common types of tendon tears include the quadriceps, rotator cuff, Achilles tendon, and biceps. Symptoms of a Torn Tendon In many cases, you may feel a sharp popping sound when the tendon tears. This...
Pinpointing Herniated Discs
A common source of lower back and neck pain, herniated discs can cause very little discomfort or trigger debilitating pain. One of the spongy discs cushioning the spine may become "herniated" when inner disc material (the center nucleus) pushes through the harder outer portion of the disc. It becomes a source of pain when nearby nerve roots are compressed. For many patients, the pain either goes away completely with non-surgical...
Diagnosing and Treating Scoliosis
Often appearing during childhood, scoliosis is a condition characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it's a condition that affects about 2-3 percent of the population in the United States. Most cases of scoliosis are mild and will require little or no treatment. It's only when the abnormal development of the spine presses on nearby nerve roots or contributes...
Managing & Preventing Runner’s Knee
Runner's knee, which is also called patellofemoral pain syndrome, is a type of pain that develops around the front of your kneecap. The pain often begins after an intense period of physical activity. As you continue playing and living an active lifestyle, you may find that the pain persists during light activity such as walking. Over time, the condition can worsen to the point that your knee always hurts. Who Gets...