What is Chronic Back Pain?
Chronic back pain occurs when back pain continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of back pain has been treated. About 20 percent of people affected by acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain with persistent symptoms at one year. Treatment may successfully relieve your chronic back pain, but in some cases, pain continues despite medical and surgical treatment. Potential Causes of Back Pain Trauma from an auto accident or fall Injury from heavy lifting, exercise, or a sudden and awkward motion Osteoporosis or small compression fractures Arthritis (causing the hollow …
What Can I Do to Keep My Bones Healthy?
Your bones are responsible for providing structure & support for your body. They protect your vital organs and act as attachment sites for muscles that allow the body to move. Bones also store minerals like phosphorus and calcium and release them into the body when they are needed. There are a multitude of factors that can cause bones to become weak and brittle. Weak and brittle bones can lead to breaks, fractures, and long-term health issues. Tips to Keep Your Bones Healthy Diet: Osteoporosis or bone-density loss can occur if your diet is low in calcium and vitamin D. Physical …
Can You Break the Same Bone Twice? Do broken bones heal stronger?
There is an old adage that states you can’t break the same bone twice because the bone grows back stronger than before. Unfortunately, this is a myth. There is still a chance you can fracture it again in the same place in the future. The odds are no higher or lower. However, there is a brief period as a bone heals that the fracture site is stronger than the surrounding bone. Later in the healing process, the fracture site and surrounding bone will reach equal strength, and the bone is not any stronger or weaker once it heals. To understand this, it’s …
Strains vs. Sprains
Sprains and strains are common orthopedic injuries. Often used interchangeably, these two terms to describe the overstretching or tearing of soft tissues in and around your joints. What is a Strain? A joint strain is the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. Tendons are tissues that connect your muscles to your bones. Common areas for strains include: Back Legs (quadriceps and hamstrings), calf muscle Elbow What is a Sprain? A joint sprain is the overstretching or tearing of ligaments. Ligaments are the bands of tissue that connect two bones together in a joint. The most common location for a …
What Is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. Most often, spinal stenosis occurs in the neck and the lower back. Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to arthritis. Other causes may include spinal injuries, overgrowth of bone, herniated disks, and thickened ligaments. Types of Spinal Stenosis Spinal stenosis is classified according to where on the spine, the condition occurs. It’s possible to have more than one type of spinal stenosis. The two most common types are: Cervical stenosis.In …
What Causes Hand Pain?
The hand is a complex structure composed of many different bones, muscles, and ligaments. We heavily rely on our hands to perform everyday tasks. Because of this, there are many places that something can go wrong and cause hand pain. Below are some common causes of hand pain. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition that affects the hand and wrist. It occurs when the Median Nerve in the wrist is compressed. Nerves carry messages between our brains, spinal cord, and body parts. The Median Nerve carries signals for sensation and muscle movement. When the Median Nerve …
What Causes Stiff Joints?
Do you find it more difficult than usual to walk, stand, type, or perform other daily tasks? If so, you could be suffering from stiff joints. Stiff joints can affect any joint in your body, including your fingers, hands, wrists, knees, and elbows. What is Joint Stiffness? Joint stiffness can occur when a joints range of motion is limited or difficult to move. It’s common to happen after lying in bed or sitting for some time. You may have difficulty walking, standing, or putting weight on your joints. In other cases, it can be more severe and include pain and …
What is a Hip Flexor Tear or Strain? Torn hip flexor.
A hip flexor tear or strain is an injury to the muscles in the hip. Hip flexor strains most often occur when the muscles become overused. While not usually serious, this injury can be quite painful if left untreated. What Are Hip Flexors? Hip flexors are the flexible muscle tissues located near the top of your thigh and pelvic region. They allow you to flex your hips and bend your knees. Overuse or overstretching of these muscles may result in a hip flexor strain, which can significantly limit your activity and mobility. Hip flexor strains typically occur when the hip …
What’s the Difference Between ACL Tear and ACL Sprain?
An ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury is a sprain or tear of the ACL that happens to most people while they play sports. Your ACL is a tissue band of ligaments that hold the knee bones together. The function of the ACL is to prevent your shinbone (tibia) from sliding out in front of your thighbone (femur). Because of this, ACL injuries can be painful and debilitating. There is a risk for an ACL injury in activities involving jumping and landing, sudden stops, or changes in direction (like in football and soccer). Many patients noted that they remember hearing or …
What Are the Symptoms of a Dislocated Hip? Hip dislocation symptoms.
Hip Dislocation Overview A traumatic hip dislocation is when the ball of the hip joint is pushed out of the socket. Soft tissues holding the bones in place may also become damaged during the injury (labrum, ligaments, nerves, muscles, etc.). The following may be symptoms of a dislocated hip: Your hip is swollen Your hip is painful Your hip is visibly out of place Get started on the road to hip dislocation recovery. Click here to find an OrthoArizona hip physician near you! Hip Dislocation Symptoms Patients who experience a dislocated hip are often in severe pain and unable to …