The knee is the largest joint in the body, and one of the most easily injured. It is made up of four main things: bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. The most common knee injuries include fractures around the knee, dislocation, and sprains and tears of soft tissues, like ligaments. In many cases, injuries involve more than one structure in the knee. Pain and swelling are the most common signs of knee injury. In addition, your knee may catch or lock up. Many knee injuries cause instability — the feeling that your knee is giving way.
The shoulder is a complex joint built to allow movement in many directions. Muscles and ligaments help keep the shoulder stable and secure in your shoulder socket. We depend on our shoulders to support many of our most basic motions, including pushing, pulling, lifting, and throwing. Because the shoulder is a very flexible joint, it is highly vulnerable to injury. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or an active elder suffering from years of repetitive motion, here are a variety of shoulder conditions that can be treated.
One of the most common reasons patients seek evaluation by an Orthopaedic surgeon is for painful numbness and tingling in the hand. Two of the frequent causes are carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome. Pain or injury to the wrist effects patients of all ages and activity level. The wrist is a finely tuned joint comprised of several bones, ligaments, and tendons that elevates our ability to perform routine activities at home as well as participate in recreational sports such as tennis, golf, and swimming.
The foot is a complex mechanical structure composed of 33 joints, 26 bones, and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments that all work together. Shoes, extreme sports and high-intensity exercise can cause foot and ankle injuries. The most common conditions are Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis, Ankle sprains, Bunions and hammertoes.
Whenever you use the hip, a cushion of cartilage helps prevent friction as the hip bone moves in its socket. Despite its durability, the hip joint isn't indestructible. With age and use, the cartilage can wear down or become damaged. Muscles and tendons in the hip can get overused. Bones in the hip can break during a fall or other injury. Any of these conditions can lead to hip pain.
The spine is made up of vertebrae which protect the spinal cord and allow movement. Conditions can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. These may include: Injuries, infections, tumors, ankylosing spondylitis, scoliosis, spinal stenosis and herniated disks. These conditions can cause pain and can limit movement.