A healthy hip joint will allow you to walk, squat, and turn without pain. The hip is a very stable ball-and-socket joint and is the body’s largest weight-bearing joint. A ball (femoral head) at the top of the thighbone (femur) fits into a rounded socket or cup-like cavity (acetabulum) in your pelvis. Bands of tissues called ligaments form a capsule connecting the ball to the socket, holding the bones in place.

There are many injuries and diseases that can cause hip components to become damaged. This can range from an injury caused by a fall, a chronic disease, or natural wear. Osteoarthritis occurs when the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This can happen through normal wear and tear of the hip joint. You can fracture a hip from a fall or a blow. Necrosis (bone death) can also be caused by an injury or by extended use of alcohol or steroids due to a reduction of blood flow. The joint will decay after necrosis.

For additional information regarding the hip and potential injuries to this area, please click on the link http://orthoinfo.aaos.org.

Your knees should bend easily and be able to absorb stress. This hinge joint is the combination of the thighbone and the shinbone. A damaged knee will have decreased flexibility and ability to cushion stress. There are four main areas of the knee that may become injured or worn. They are the cartilage, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. These areas are likely to be affected by wear, disease, and/or injury. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects the cartilage. Inflammation arthritis is a chronic disease like rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Symptoms of this disease are heat (inflammation) and swelling of the joint lining. Traumatic Arthritis is cartilage decay caused by an injury.

For additional information regarding the knee and potential injuries to this area, please click on the link http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/.

Back pain is a common concern for many. The intricate nature of the spine makes back injuries problematic. When an individual suffers from back pain, the first priority is to identify the affected spinal segment. The lower back is called the lumbar spine and is made up of five vertebrae and the sacrum. The middle of the back is the thoracic spine and has 12 vertebrae; the neck is the cervical spine, with seven vertebrae. Vertebrae are the bones of the spine that provide both support and protection for the spinal cord. An intervertebral disc sits between vertebrae and connects the vertebrae.

For additional information regarding the spine, spine injuries, and back pain, please click on the link http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/.

The anatomy of the foot and ankle is complex and completes a multitude of tasks. A quarter of the bones in the human body are found in the foot. This area is also the home of 33 joints and over 100 tendons, ligaments, and muscles. All these components make the foot / ankle area susceptible to injuries. The foot is comprised of three main areas: the forefoot, the midfoot, and the hindfoot. The forefoot consists of the five toes (phalanges) and their connecting long bones (metatarsals) and the five metatarsal phalangeal joints. The midfoot is made of the five odd shaped tarsal bones that form your foot’s arch. The hindfoot connects the foot to the ankle with three joints. The ankle is both strong and flexible. The ankle mortise not only contains ligaments that stabilize the joint but also has tendons that provide movement from side to side and up and down.

For additional information regarding the foot and ankle and potential injuries to this area, please click on the link http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/.

The arm has three bones. The upper arm is the humerus. The forearm bone closest to your thumb is called the radius and the ulna is the other bone in your forearm that is closest to your “pinky” finger. The elbow is a joint that houses many components of your arm. Nerves that control the hands and wrist pass through the elbow and the muscles that cross the elbow allowing the arm to move. The most common elbow problem is epicondylitis. There are two types of epicondylitis: lateral and medial. You’ve probably heard them called by the more common names of “tennis elbow” (lateral) or “golfer’s elbow” (medial), although the sport you play has little to do with the injury. It actually is caused by a tendon or a muscle becoming inflamed or having tiny tears.

For additional information regarding the arm and elbow and potential injuries to this area, please click on the link http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/.

There are numerous parts of the shoulder that allow you to move your arm in different ways. The muscles, bones, and tendons work together so that you can swing, reach, and lift. These muscles, bones, and tendons are able to work together due to your rotator cuff, which is a group of tendons. The rotator cuff also attaches your upper arm to your shoulder. The bursa is the lubricating sac that allows the tendons in the rotator cuff to slide under the acromion. The acromion is the top of your shoulder blade. The glenoid is your shoulder socket with the upper arm bone or humerus attached to it. There are many injuries and diseases that can affect your shoulder. Impingement is shoulder pain caused by repeated overhead movement. A labral tear may be caused by a dislocation. Overextension of range of motion can cause instability and arthritis, a chronic disease.

For additional information regarding the shoulder and potential injuries to this area, please click on the link http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/.

Your hands are full of nerves, bones, tendons, and muscles. The phalanges are the finger bones, which are held together by ligaments. Your metacarpals are the bones of the hand that connect to the carpals in the wrist. Fractures, dislocations, collateral ligament tears, and sprains are all common problems of the hand. Arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and ganglion cysts are common issues associated with the wrist.

For additional information regarding the hand and potential injuries to this area, please click on the link http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/.