ORTHOCARE
Orthopedic are injuries and diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system. This body system includes the muscles, bones, nerves, joints, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues. Damage to any of these tissues or structures can come from chronic orthopedic diseases or from an injury.
General orthopedic problems include:
- Acute injuries, such as traumatic bone fractures and dislocated joints
- Arthritis, which is joint inflammation causing pain, joint damage, and loss of joint function. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.
- Bursitis, which is inflammation and irritation of a bursa. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs inside joints that cushion ligaments, tendons and muscles as they move over bones.
- Muscle atrophy, which is loss of muscle tissue causing weakness and difficulty moving. It can occur with lack of use, such as being bedridden, or from damage to the nerves controlling the muscle movement.
- Musculoskeletal cancer, which is malignancy of any of the tissues or structures of the musculoskeletal system. Examples include osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and chondrosarcoma (cartilage cancer).
- Orthopedic autoimmune diseases, which occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly starts attacking its own healthy cells and tissues. Autoimmune diseases that can affect the musculoskeletal system include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma.
- Osteomalacia, which causes an adult’s bones to soften. It results in muscle weakness, bowed legs, bone pain, and fractures. Vitamin D deficiency is the most common cause of this condition.
- Osteomyelitis, which is an infection in the bone
- Osteoporosis, which is loss of bone density making the bones weak and brittle. This increases the risk of fractures.
- Pinched nerve, which is when a spinal nerve root becomes compressed or irritated. A nerve root is where a spinal nerve branches off the spinal cord and exits the spine between two vertebrae. Spinal disc problems are the main cause of a pinched nerve.
- Tendinitis, which is inflammation and irritation of a tendon. It is a form of overuse injury from repetitive motions or forces.
- Tenosynovitis, which is inflammation of a tendon sheath. Tendons are strong cords of connective tissue that attach muscles to bones. Tendons that pass through bony tunnels, such as the wrist, have a sheath surrounding them. These sheaths allow the tendon to move through the tunnel smoothly.
Symptoms
- Deformities or unusual appearance of a joint.
- Fatigue combined with joint pain or swelling.
- Joint stiffness and limited range of motion.
- Muscle spasms.
- Numbness, tingling or weakness
- Pain, which may be mild, moderate or severe and sharp, dull, achy, crampy, stabbing, or burning
- Swelling of the injured or diseased area
- Warmth and redness in case of infection or inflammation
- Deformity of a joint or bone
- Difficulty moving a joint or extremity
- Hearing a snapping, grinding or popping sound during the injury
- Open wound or bone sticking through the skin
- Severe pain or swelling
What causes orthopedic conditions?
Acute or chronic trauma is a common cause for many of them. Acute trauma is a sudden injury. Chronic trauma is the result of repetitive motions or forces on a joint or joint structure, such as a tendon. These injuries happen gradually over time, such as weeks, months or years even.
Degenerative changes are another common cause of orthopedic conditions. Joints and joint structures can sustain wear and tear over time. This causes changes that can result in such conditions as osteoarthritis and spine problems.
What are the risk factors for orthopedic conditions?
Each specific orthopedic issue has its own set of risk factors. In general, risk factors may include:
- Aging
- Being overweight or obese, which puts extra pressure on bones, joints, and joint structures
- Having a chronic disease, such as diabetes
- Playing sports or participating in recreational activities
- Smoking
- Using improper lifting techniques and body mechanics
- Working in a profession involving the same tasks every day, which increases strain on your body.
Reducing your risk of orthopedic conditions
You may be able to lower your risk of orthopedic conditions by changing risk factors you can control, such as:
- Balancing strength training with stretching exercises
- Closely following your treatment plan for medical conditions
- Cross-training with a variety of activities
- Learning correct posture, body mechanics, and ways to lift heavy objects
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
- Strengthening your bones with weight-bearing activities and plenty of calcium and vitamin D
- Wearing protective equipment during sports and recreational activities
What are the potential complications of orthopedic conditions?
Without proper treatment and adequate recovery, many orthopedic conditions can lead to disability and chronic problems. Talk with your doctor about your specific problem. Ask about the potential complications and how you can work with your doctor to prevent or treat them.
Orthocare at Clinic
Orthopaedic surgeons are devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Some orthopaedists are generalists, while others specialize in certain areas of the body, such as: Hip and knee. Foot and ankle.
Orthocare at Home
Orthocare at home means the specialist come at your home , which are specializes in diagnosing and treating injuries or illnesses to the musculoskeletal system. The orthopedic doctor will work to repair and preserve the bones, joints, ligaments, and skeleton.