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Did you know that the principles of orthopedics were developed and used even during the ancient times? Ancient civilizations used these systems in describing the methods of recognizing and managing the most common orthopedic conditions. Additionally, the study of medicine in a systematic manner by Romans and Greeks significantly improved the understanding of surgical techniques and orthopedic anatomy, paving the way for orthopedic surgeons today. The modern word orthopedics was derived from the ancient word orthopedia. This was the title of a 1741 book published by Nicholas Andry, a professor at the University of Paris. The word orthopedia comprises two Greek words: orthos, which means “straight and deformity free” and…

Your musculoskeletal system is made up of all the bones and muscles in your body. It is easy to understand that keeping this system healthy is essential if you want to be active, flexible, and pain free. What isn’t so obvious is the way to achieve this healthy goal. You can influence your musculoskeletal system by controlling what you consume and how you move. We are concerned here primarily with what you eat. A healthy diet will pay dividends years down the road. Minerals Calcium and magnesium are the two most important minerals for your muscles and bones. You probably know that calcium gives your bones density and strength. It…

Osteoporosis is a chronic and progressive disorder that causes your bones to become increasingly brittle and weak. Your bones could be weakened so much by osteoporosis that coughing or a slip and fall in your home could cause a fracture. While some risk factors for osteoporosis cannot be controlled, such as your race and sex, there are important actions that you can take in order to prevent osteoporosis. Diet and Supplements An orthopedic doctor can help you to create a diet and exercise plan that offers some protection against osteoporosis. Although you reach your peak bone mass while you are in your 20s, it is not too late to make…

Breaks in bones, also called fractures, can occur anywhere within the body where there’s a bone or joint. Bones can break completely, become fractured in specific locations or patterns, or break into multiple pieces. Treatment for broken bones depends on where the break occurs, the severity of the break, and whether or not other tissues and joints were involved or affected. Types of Broken Bones Bones can break or fracture in many different ways. Breaks in bones can be in the form of a stable fracture, a clean break where the pieces of bones line up even though they are slightly out of place. A compound fracture is one where…

Occurring when a bone slips out of alignment or position, dislocations are often the result of a sudden impact, such as a hard fall or direct hit to the body. Pain from a dislocation is usually instantly recognizable due to the stress placed on supporting muscles, tendons, and ligaments—and sometimes on nearby nerves. Dislocations can affect any part of the body, but there are certain areas that tend to be more susceptible to this type of injury. Finger Dislocations Finger dislocations are usually caused by some type of motion or impact that extends a finger beyond where it normally stretches or bends. Middle joints of fingers are usually more susceptible…

Often affecting the lower back, neck, knees, wrists, and ankles, sprains can result from a sharp twist or turn, repetitive motions, or falling with little or no protection from the impact. Defined as a stretch or tear of a strong band of connective tissue called a ligament, a sprain is usually a temporary discomfort. Sometimes requiring medical attention, sprains can result in pain that ranges from intermittent and mild to sharp and severe. What Causes Sprains? As with other soft-tissue injuries, sprains can be either acute, develop over time from overuse, or occur when ligaments are already weakened or compromised from an underlying condition. Acute strains are the ones caused…

An abnormal curvature of the spine affecting about 3 percent of the population, scoliosis can be mild with little or no pain or severe enough to impact quality of life. Some forms of scoliosis advance during adolescence but not into adulthood. Surgery is rarely necessary unless the curvature is severe or causing debilitating pain. When Scoliosis Appears Children and teenagers are most-often affected by scoliosis, especially between the ages of 10 and 18, although it may be detected earlier if the curvature is clearly noticeable. If it develops later in life, it’s usually due to injury or age-related wear affecting spinal stability. Types of Scoliosis Scoliosis can be congenital, or…

The rotator cuff is a part of the shoulder and includes several muscles and tendons that are attached to the shoulder joint. These muscles and ligaments are responsible for keeping the humorous bone within the socket of the shoulder. People who perform repeated overhead movements of their arms are at the highest risk of a rotator cuff tear. Playing baseball or tennis, painting walls and ceilings and installing overhead lights are some activities that could cause a tear in the rotator cuff. A person’s chances of getting a rotator cuff tear also increase with age. Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear A person with a rotator cuff tear may have…

A common source of back and neck pain, herniated discs can result in little or no discomfort or extreme pain aggravated by movement, depending on how nearby nerves are affected. If your pain isn’t going away with conservative treatments or it’s becoming progressively worse, you may be directed to an orthopedic surgeon. What Causes a Herniated Disc? The 26 bones of your spine are cushioned by spongy discs to prevent excessive strain from your daily movements. A herniated disc results when the jelly-like substance inside of the disc is pushed through to the outside of the disc. This type of damage can be caused by: • Age-related wear, or degeneration…

There are several types of tendon tears that can lead to immobility or severe discomfort for a patient. One: An Achilles Tendon Rupture An Achilles tendon rupture happens frequently in a foot, especially during sports that include running or jumping. Older individuals are also more likely to incur this type of injury due to natural wear and tear to this tendon. Two: A Biceps Tendon Injury A bicep injury involves the arm because this tendon attaches the bicep muscle to the elbow and shoulder. When a tear occurs in this tendon, an individual will experience weakness in their arm from the shoulder to the hand. Three: A Rotator Cuff Tear…

Orthopedic problems are often related to some type of stress, strain, or damage involving muscles, ligaments, and joints. Adults in particular can experience muscle-related discomfort due to age-related conditions, temporary inflammation, and corresponding medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Arthritis Affecting approximately 50 million Americans, arthritis can place pressure on joints and muscles from the resulting inflammation. Chronic in nature, arthritis is often affected by movement and can result in permanent tissue damage over time. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the most common forms of arthritis, frequently affect the hips, knees, and lower back area. Low Back Pain One out of every ten people experience some degree of low…

Caused by age-related wear and tear on the cartilage that provides a cushion for your joints, osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain associated with movement. If you’re experiencing a level of discomfort that’s affecting your quality of life, your regular doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for a more extensive evaluation to determine how osteoarthritis may be affecting your joints. Contributing Factors Osteoarthritis is a condition that develops over time. While the simple process of aging can cause cartilage to wear down over the years, the condition may be hastened by repetitive motions and recurring joint stress, as is often the case with playing sports or performing…