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Orthopaedic surgeons diagnose and treat conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Some problems develop gradually over time, while others occur suddenly because of an injury or accident. Below are some of the most common conditions treated by orthopaedic specialists. Click a condition from the list to be taken directly to that section of the page. |
OSTEOARTHRITIS Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It develops as the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones gradually wears away. This can lead to joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased mobility. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, and shoulders.RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks healthy joint tissue. Over time, this can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and permanent joint damage if not treated.OSTEOPOROSIS Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more likely to break. Many people do not realize they have osteoporosis until they experience a fracture, most commonly involving the hip, spine, or wrist. |
LOW BACK PAIN Low back pain is one of the leading reasons people visit an orthopaedic specialist. It may be caused by muscle strain, arthritis, poor posture, disc problems, or the normal aging process.NECK PAIN Neck pain can develop from muscle strain, arthritis, pinched nerves, or problems involving the cervical spine. Symptoms may include stiffness, headaches, or pain that radiates into the shoulders or arms.HERNIATED DISC Sometimes called a "slipped disc," a herniated disc occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer. This can place pressure on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.SCIATICA Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. Pain often begins in the lower back or buttock and travels down one leg, sometimes accompanied by numbness or tingling. |
ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES The rotator cuff is made up of muscles and tendons that help stabilize and move the shoulder. Tears or inflammation can cause pain, weakness, and difficulty lifting or reaching overhead.FROZEN SHOULDER Frozen shoulder causes the shoulder joint to become painful and increasingly stiff over time, making everyday activities more difficult.SHOULDER ARTHRITIS Arthritis of the shoulder can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and a gradual loss of motion.SHOULDER INSTABILITY AND DISLOCATIONS A shoulder dislocation or repeated episodes of the shoulder "slipping out of place" can damage surrounding ligaments and increase the risk of future instability.BURSITIS Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints. When they become inflamed, they can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness around the shoulder, hip, elbow, or knee. |
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when a nerve in the wrist becomes compressed. It commonly causes numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the hand and fingers.TENNIS ELBOW Despite its name, tennis elbow affects many people who have never played tennis. Repetitive motions can irritate the tendons on the outside of the elbow, causing pain and reduced grip strength.TRIGGER FINGER Trigger finger causes one or more fingers to catch or lock when bent because the tendon cannot move smoothly. It may become painful and limit normal hand function.THUMB ARTHRITIS Arthritis at the base of the thumb is a common source of hand pain and can make simple activities like opening jars or turning keys more difficult.GANGLION CYSTS Ganglion cysts are noncancerous, fluid-filled lumps that often develop on the wrist or hand. While many are painless, some can interfere with movement or cause discomfort. |
HIP ARTHRITIS
Hip arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Many people notice discomfort in the groin, outer hip, or buttock, especially when walking or climbing stairs.HIP BURSITIS
Inflammation of the bursa on the outside of the hip can cause pain while walking, climbing stairs, or lying on the affected side.KNEE ARTHRITIS
The knee is one of the joints most commonly affected by arthritis. Pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty walking are common symptoms.MENISCUS TEARS
The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint. Tears often occur during sports or twisting injuries but can also develop gradually with age.ACL AND OTHER LIGAMENT INJURIES
Ligaments help stabilize the knee. Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and other knee ligaments are common during sports and may cause the knee to feel unstable or give way.PATELLAR TENDONITIS
Often called "jumper's knee," this overuse injury affects the tendon below the kneecap and is frequently seen in athletes.ANKLE SPRAINS Ankle sprains are among the most common orthopaedic injuries. They occur when the ligaments supporting the ankle are stretched or torn, resulting in pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.ACHILLES TENDON INJURIES The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It can become inflamed through overuse or tear during sudden activity or sports.PLANTAR FASCIITIS One of the leading causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot becomes irritated. Pain is often worse with the first few steps in the morning.BUNIONS A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe. It can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty wearing certain shoes. |
SPRAINS AND STRAINS Sprains involve stretched or torn ligaments, while strains affect muscles or tendons. These injuries often occur during sports, exercise, or everyday activities.TENDONITIS Tendonitis is irritation or inflammation of a tendon caused by repetitive motion or overuse. It commonly affects the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle.STRESS FRACTURES Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone caused by repetitive impact rather than a single injury. They are common in runners, athletes, and military personnel. |
FRACTURES A fracture is a broken bone. Fractures may result from falls, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, or weakened bones caused by osteoporosis. Prompt evaluation and treatment can help ensure proper healing and restore function. |