Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is inflammation of the tendon that connects the muscles of the forearm, wrist, and hand to the upper arm at the elbow. The tendon on the lateral or bony outside part of the elbow is most often irritated by overuse during physical activity.

A strain occurs when a muscle is stretched or torn. A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched or torn.
Strains are often the result of overuse or improper use of a muscle. Sprains typically occur when a joint is subjected to excessive force or unnatural movements, such as sudden twists, turns, or stops.

Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon, which is a band of tissue that connects muscle to bone. It is most commonly the result of overuse during physical activities. Repetitive motions can stretch and irritate the tendon, causing pain and swelling. Tendinitis occurs around joints such as the elbow, shoulder, wrist, ankle, or knee.

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the space in the spinal canal that is reserved for the spinal cord and the nerves that exit this area. When this area becomes narrowed, it places pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves leading to neurological symptoms. Spinal stenosis is most commonly observed in the lower back and the neck, but occasionally presents in the middle back as well.
Spinal stenosis symptoms include buttocks pain, cramps in your legs, difficulty walking, and even sciatica. Sometimes the back and leg pain are made better when leaning forward and walking, such as leaning on a shopping cart. Spinal stenosis in the neck will cause pain to radiate into the arms, with numbness and tingling as well. As the condition progresses, muscular weakness, loss of reflexes, and a condition known as foot drop can develop.

Impingement syndrome is a common disorder of the shoulder that refers to an improper alignment of the bones and tissues in the upper arm. Inflammatory conditions such as tendinitis, bursitis, and arthritis are all closely related to impingement syndrome, as are tears to the rotator cuff tendons.
If the rotator cuff becomes inflamed from overuse or there is a bone deformity or spur on the end of the shoulder blade, then the space between the upper arm bone and tip of the shoulder blade is narrowed. This can cause the rotator cuff and its fluid-filled bursa to be squeezed or pinched. The impingement causes irritation and pain to the rotator cuff when the shoulder is raised.

Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve has become compressed due to another underlying spinal condition. The sciatic nerve branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Due to the location of the sciatic nerve, sciatica only affects the lower back.
 
Common symptoms include pain that radiates through the buttock, down the back of the thigh, through the calf, and into the foot. Other symptoms include numbness, tingling, and the sensation of pins and needles. If sciatica is allowed to progress without treatment, you may experience muscular weakness and a loss of leg function. If you feel tingling or numbness in the arms and legs, it may indicate an advanced orthopedic condition.

Radiculopathy refers to a condition in which the spinal nerve roots are irritated or compressed. Symptoms of radiculopathy are similar to those of a pinched nerve which includes numbness, weakness, tingling, or sensations of pins and needles in the area and the extremities where the nerve path leads. The longer the condition remains untreated, the more serious it will get. In late stages, you will start to lose motor function, reflexes will be impaired, and radiating pain will worsen.
Lumbar nerve impingement indicates that the nerve roots in the lower spine are involved, while cervical radiculopathy is associated with nerve roots in the neck. Nerve impingement is most often caused by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
 
Common symptoms include pain that radiates through the buttock, down the back of the thigh, through the calf, and into the foot. Other symptoms include numbness, tingling, and the sensation of pins and needles. If sciatica is allowed to progress without treatment, you may experience muscular weakness and a loss of leg function. If you feel tingling or numbness in the arms and legs, it may indicate an advanced orthopedic condition.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It is commonly referred to as a heel spur, which is a bony growth on the heel bone that develops as a result of plantar fasciitis. The condition occurs when the long, flat ligament on the bottom of the foot (plantar fascia) stretches irregularly and develops small tears that cause the ligament to become inflamed. This inflammation is most often caused by walking with an abnormal inward twisting of the foot, called pronation. Over time, this slightly abnormal step may increase tension on the plantar fascia and cause it to become inflamed.

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition in which the tissues around the shoulder joint stiffen causing scar tissue to form. Shoulder movements become difficult and painful. It can develop when you stop using the joint normally because of pain, other injury, or a chronic health condition, such as diabetes. Any shoulder problem can lead to frozen shoulder if you do not work to maintain its full range of motion.

Degenerative Disc Disease is a weakening of one or more vertebral discs, which normally act as a cushion between the vertebrae. It can develop as a natural part of aging or as a result of an injury to the back. With age, the material in these lumbar discs becomes less flexible and the discs begin to erode, losing some of their height. As their thickness decreases, their ability to act as a cushion lessens. The position of the vertebrae and the ligaments that connect them are altered. In some cases, the loss of density can cause the vertebrae to shift their positions. As the vertebrae shift and affect the other bones, the nerves can get caught or pinched and muscle spasms can occur. Degenerative disc disease is more commonly found in the neck and lower back, but can occur anywhere along the spine.
 
Symptoms usually include mild pain in the affected area that worsens as more pressure is placed on it. Numbness, tingling, and radiating pain are often felt in the arms or legs, depending on the location of the disc degeneration. When it is in the neck, symptoms will be felt in the shoulders and arms. If it is in the lower back, symptoms will be felt in the legs. Symptoms will worsen if it is not treated.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is pinched. It can be caused by a variety of circumstances and conditions including repetitive hand motions that damage muscle and bone in the wrist area. Compression of that median nerve can cause pain in the wrist, hand and fingers. Numbness in the fingers may cause you to drop things and hand weakness can occur if the problem is not addressed.
 
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are felt in the lower arms and hands. You may feel numbness, tingling, pain that radiates along the nerve path, and a sensation of pins and needles. The chance of permanent damage increases the longer the nerve remains compressed.

X-rays are a type of radiation. When they pass through the body, dense objects such as bone block the radiation and appear white on the x-ray film. Less dense tissues appear gray and are difficult to see. X-rays are typically used to diagnose and assess bone degeneration or disease, fractures and dislocations, infections, or tumors.
 
Organs and tissues within the body contain magnetic properties. Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, combines a powerful magnet with radio waves and a computer to manipulate these magnetic elements and create highly detailed images of structures in the body. Images are viewed as cross sections or “slices” of the body part being scanned. There is no radiation involved as with x-rays. MRI scans are frequently used to diagnose bone and joint problems.
 
A computed tomography, or CT scan (also known as CAT scan), is similar to an MRI in the detail and quality of image it produces, yet the CT scan is actually a sophisticated, powerful x-ray that takes 360-degree pictures of internal organs, the spine, and vertebrae. By combining x-rays and a CT scan, we can produce cross-sectional views of the body part being scanned. In many cases, a contrast dye is injected into the blood to make the structures more visible. CT scans show the bones of the spine much better than MRI, so they are more useful in diagnosing conditions affecting the vertebrae and other bones of the spine.

Physical therapy is the treatment of musculoskeletal and neurological injuries to promote a return to function and independent living. Physical therapy incorporates both exercise and functional training. Exercise restores motion and strength while functional training facilitates a return to daily activities, work, or sport.

An epidural is a potent steroid injection that helps decrease the inflammation of compressed spinal nerves to relieve pain in the back, neck, arms or legs. Cortisone is injected directly into the spinal canal for pain relief from conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or radiculopathy. Some patients may need only one injection, but it usually takes two or three injections, given two weeks apart, to provide significant pain relief.

A tendon is a band of tissue that connects muscle to bone. A ligament is an elastic band of tissue that connects bone to bone and provides stability to the joint. Cartilage is a soft, gel-like padding between bones that protects joints and facilitates movement.

Cortisone is a steroid that is produced naturally in the body. Synthetically-produced cortisone can also be injected into soft tissues and joints to help decrease inflammation. While cortisone is not a pain reliever, pain may diminish as a result of reduced inflammation. In orthopedics, cortisone injections are commonly used as a treatment for chronic conditions such as bursitis, tendinitis, and arthritis.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are non-prescription, over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. They are popular treatments for muscular aches and pains, as well as arthritis.
 
NSAIDs not only relieve pain, but also help to decrease inflammation, prevent blood clots, and reduce fevers. They work by blocking the actions of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme. There are two forms of the COX enzyme. COX-2 is produced when joints are injured or inflamed, which NSAIDs counteract. COX-1 protects the stomach lining from acids and digestive juices and helps the kidneys function properly. This is why side effects of NSAIDs may include nausea, upset stomach, ulcers, or improper kidney function.

Ice should be used in the acute stage of an injury, within the first 24 to 48 hours, or whenever there is swelling. Ice helps to reduce inflammation by decreasing blood flow to the area in which cold is applied. Heat increases blood flow and may promote pain relief after swelling subsides. Heat may also be used to warm up muscles prior to exercise or physical therapy.

You should arrive promptly at the time specified by the surgery scheduler. If you are having surgery at an outpatient surgery center, you will usually be asked to arrive one hour before your scheduled surgery. If you will be admitted to the hospital prior to surgery, times may differ. Most pre-operative blood, lab or paper work is preformed prior to the day of your surgery.

Bathe or shower the morning of surgery, but do not apply any makeup. Wear low heeled, comfortable shoes and loose, comfortable clothing such as t-shirts, button-down shirts, sweat pants or baggy shorts that will fit over bandages or dressings following surgery. Do not wear contact lenses or jewelry.

Always consult with your doctor on medications. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will determine what medications you should stop taking, when they should be stopped, and when you can resume taking them after surgery.

You will be taken to the recovery room and monitored for a period of time. After that, you will be taken to a holding room (if in an outpatient surgery center) or to a patient room if you have been or are being admitted to the hospital.
If your operation was in a surgery center, a nurse will review post-operative home care instructions with you, as well as explain any special instructions provided by your surgeon regarding diet, rest, medications, when to follow up with your doctor, and how to use any durable medical equipment such as a sling or crutches your doctor may have ordered.
When you follow up with your doctor, he or she will discuss additional post-operative instructions such as rehabilitation, when stitches may be removed, when you can drive or return to work or school, how long you should use crutches or a sling, how long you should take pain medications, and more.

The length of surgery depends on the procedure being performed, the surgeon, and the method of surgery; a minimally-invasive arthroscopy or a more invasive open incision. An arthroscopic surgery may take anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours.

The time you spend in the hospital or surgery center will vary depending upon the type of surgery performed, the type of anesthesia that was given, and your individual needs. If surgery is performed in an outpatient surgery center, most patients are discharged within one to three hours after surgery.

Someone from the surgery center or hospital will call you to discuss pre-operative instructions, which usually include the following:

• Do not eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight the day of your surgery. You may brush your teeth, taking care not to swallow any water.
• Follow your doctor’s orders regarding the taking of any medications the night before or the day of your surgery.
• Refrain from smoking after midnight the day of your surgery. Notify your surgeon if there is any change in your physical condition, such as a cold, fever or flu symptom. If there is a chance you are pregnant, please notify your surgeon immediately.

Joint replacement surgery is performed to replace an arthritic or damaged joint with a new, artificial joint called a prosthesis. The knee and hip are the most commonly replaced joints, although shoulders, elbows and ankles can also be replaced.
Joints contain cartilage, a rubbery material that cushions the ends of bones and facilitates movement. Over time, or if the joint has been injured, the cartilage wears away and the bones of the joint start rubbing together. As bones rub together, bone spurs may form and the joint may become stiff and painful. Most people have joint replacement surgery when they can no longer control the pain with medication and other treatments, and the pain is significantly interfering with their lives.

Arthroscopic surgery is one of the most common orthopedic procedures performed today. Arthroscopic procedures allow a surgeon to use a small camera to view, diagnose, and treat your joint with a minimally invasive technique. One or more small incisions are made around the joint to be viewed. The surgeon inserts an instrument called an arthroscope into the joint. The arthroscope contains a fiber optic light source and small television camera that allows the surgeon to view the joint on a television monitor and diagnose the problem, determine the extent of injury, and make any necessary repairs. Other instruments may be inserted to help view or repair the tissues inside the joint.

An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who has been educated and trained in the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system of the body consists of the bones and joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
Some orthopedic surgeons practice general orthopedics, while others specialize in treating certain body parts such as the foot and ankle, hand and wrist, spine, knee, shoulder, or hip. Some orthopedic surgeons may also focus on a specific population such as pediatrics, trauma, or sports medicine.

ACL reconstruction is a surgical procedure that repairs a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of the four ligaments that help stabilize the knee. The ligament is reconstructed using a tendon that is passed through the inside of the knee joint and secured to the upper leg bone (femur) and one of the two lower leg bones (tibia).
The tendon used for reconstruction is called a graft and can come from different sources. It is usually taken from the patient’s own patella, hamstring, or quadriceps, or it can come from a cadaver. ACL reconstruction is most often performed through arthroscopic surgery.

Shoulder surgery for rotator cuff problems usually involves one or more of the following procedures: debridement, subacromial decompression, or rotator cuff repair.
Debridement clears damaged tissue out of the shoulder joint. Subacromial decompression involves shaving bone or removing spurs underneath the tip of the shoulder blade. This creates more room in the space between the end of the shoulder blade and the upper arm bone so that the rotator cuff tendon is not pinched and can glide smoothly. If the rotator cuff tendon is torn, it is sewn together and reattached to the top of the upper arm bone.

Most patients will not encounter problems after orthopedic surgery. As with any surgery, however, there are potential risks including reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, infection, blood clots, nerve damage, loss of full range of motion, development of arthritis, scar formation, or re-injury of the joint or soft tissue.

On average, artificial joints have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years. If you are in your 40s or 50s when you have joint replacement surgery, especially if you are very active, you are likely to need another joint replacement surgery later in life.

We have a compassionate, patient-first approach to Orthopedic Care and Pain Management. We are committed to absolute excellence to help you feel better and heal faster. We utilize our extensive experience, innovative technology, and advanced treatments to provide you with the most comprehensive treatment plan.