Orthopedic Conditions

Watch this to learn when you should call the doctor when you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Watch this to understand what rheumatoid arthritis is and an overview of how it is treated.

Watch this to learn about treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (we say "RA") is a chronic autoimmune disease. It affects joints throughout your body. For many people, it starts in the hands. This can impact your quality of life.

If you've been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, you may be facing some new challenges. But you can live a full life with RA. You can do many of the things you enjoy. You just have to take steps to manage your condition properly.

This treatment for RA uses a type of drug known as a "biological product." We also call these drugs "biologics." Let's see how they differ from the drugs we commonly take.

Arthritis refers to a group of disorders that involve the body's joints and have similar symptoms, including pain, stiffness, and swelling. Learn about the different types of arthritis and their treatment.

Understand how living an active, healthy lifestyle, following your treatment plan and using assistive devices can help reduce your pain and your arthritis symptoms.

This is a form of arthritis you may have if you have psoriasis. That's a skin condition that causes patches of red, scaly skin. With psoriatic arthritis, you have pain in your joints. It's a chronic disease that can come and go, and it gets worse over time.

Learn several medication and non-medication treatment options often recommended to patients suffering from arthritis.

Learn how this kind of surgery repairs a damaged joint, returning you to a less painful, more active lifestyle.

Understand the normal, negative emotions you might feel when you live with pain, and learn the resources available to help you cope with them.

This is a form of arthritis. It causes pain and swelling in your joints. For many people, it starts in the big toe.

You can't fully prevent osteoarthritis. But you can help lessen daily stress on your joints. This can make it less likely that osteoarthritis will happen, or get worse.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is a chronic degenerative joint disease that affects mostly middle-aged and older adults. Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of joint cartilage. It can occur in any joint, but it most often affects the hands, knees, hips, or spine.

Exercise is an important part of maintaining bone density. Find out how osteoporosis patients keep moving in ways they enjoy.

Treatments for osteoporosis are explained, including medications, surgery, and physical therapy.

Learn about some ways men can prevent osteoporosis.

Watch this video to learn some ways you can manage osteoporosis.

As you get older, your bones may get weaker. This is called "osteoporosis." Weak bones are more likely to break. Osteoporosis can be a problem for anyone, but it is more common in women.

As you get older, your risk for osteoporosis increases. That's a disease that makes your bones thin and weak. A screening procedure called a "bone density test" shows if you have osteoporosis. It shows if you are likely to develop it. Or, if you are being treated for osteoporosis, it can show if your treatment is working.

When you have osteoporosis, good health habits are a must. You need to stay as healthy as possible. And, you need to guard against broken bones. These tips will help.

Bursitis is an inflammation of a closed sac of fluid located near the joints called a bursa. When the bursa becomes inflamed, it causes joint pain and swelling. Learn about the causes and treatment of bursitis, as well as what you can do to help prevent its recurrence.

Low back pain can cause problems that ripple through every part of your life. You don't do a lot of the things you enjoy because it just hurts too much. But there is hope. Here are some tips to help you manage your pain.

A muscle spasm (also called a cramp) is an involuntary muscle contraction. The muscle tightens quickly and strongly.

Strains and sprains happen when muscles or other soft tissues near your bones stretch or tear. These injuries can cause bruising, swelling, and pain. A strain or sprain can take 6 to 8 weeks to heal.

Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat joint problems. After arthroscopy, you may be able to return to the activities you enjoy.

Learn about bursitis, its symptoms and treatment.

Follow these tips for home safety after joint surgery.

A ganglion is a cystic swelling that is found overlying joint and tendon sheaths, particularly of the wrist. The foot and other extremity areas are sometimes involved. Ganglia can be treated surgically and nonsurgically.

Here's what to know before you have arthroscopy.

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones. Weakened bones are more likely to fracture (break). Osteoporosis can affect anyone. But those most at risk are postmenopausal people who were assigned female at birth.

Your body needs calcium to build and repair bones. But it can't make calcium on its own. That's why it's important to eat calcium-rich foods. Some foods are naturally rich in calcium. Others have calcium added.

Certain things can speed up bone loss or decrease bone growth. For instance, alcohol, cigarettes, and certain medicines reduce bone mass. And some foods make it hard for your body to absorb calcium. Learn more details here.

If you have osteoporosis, you can do a lot to reduce its effect on your life. Knowing how to prevent fractures and spinal curvature can help you live more comfortably and safely with this disease.

A variety of exercises is best. Physical activity will slow further bone loss. It can also be fun.

If you have a leg amputated, it's important to take steps to care for your other leg.

Most minor strains and sprains can be treated with self-care. But if you have torn tissue or damaged blood vessels, nerves, or bones, be sure to call your healthcare provider.

The body is always making and losing (resorbing) bone. This process is called remodeling. Bone-making cells form new bone using calcium and other minerals. These minerals come from the food you eat.

Bone density testing is safe, quick, easy, and painless. Testing can detect osteoporosis before a fracture happens. It can also predict the risk of future fractures. And testing can measure the response to treatment.

These medicines help prevent and treat bone loss. Bisphosphonates are taken in pill form or injected through an iv infusion. Read on for more details.

Depending on your needs, your provider may prescribe more than 1 medicine to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

Explanation of how bones heal.

"Osteomyelitis is a bone infection caused by bacteria or fungi. The infection may have come from one area of your body and spread to the bone by traveling through the blood. Osteomyelitis is described as ""acute"" when the infection is new, and ""chronic"" when you have had the infection for a longer time."

Your healthcare provider prescribed a cold water therapy device. A cold water therapy device helps reduce pain and swelling and aids recovery. The device maintains a constant and precise temperature, providing up to several hours of continuous cold water therapy. Here's what you need to know about home care.

The CPM machine is attached to a knee or other limb on which the surgery was performed. While you relax, the machine constantly moves the knee or other limb through a range of motions for a period of time. CPM is used to prevent joint stiffness, relieve pain, and regain normal motion.

Learn who makes up your healthcare team for a hip replacement.

A bone bruise is an injury to a bone that is less severe than a bone fracture. Bone bruises are fairly common. They can happen to people of all ages. Any type of bone in your body can get a bone bruise.

Bone grafting is surgery to repair and rebuild bones that are damaged or diseased. This surgery can be done to fix bones almost anywhere in your body.

A bone bruise is an injury to a bone that is less severe than a bone fracture. Bone bruises are fairly common. They can happen to people of all ages.

Bone grafting is surgery to repair and rebuild bones that are damaged or diseased. This surgery can be done to fix bones almost anywhere in your body.

Osteonecrosis is a disease of the bones. Over time, the bone breaks down. You may develop arthritis and have pain and trouble moving.

Hemifacial microsomia is a condition that affects the form and shape of the bones and tissues of the face. Your child's face may look uneven.

Infection may occur after a joint replacement. To treat it, antibiotics may be sent directly into the joint through a catheter. The catheter stays in place for several weeks.

Minor muscle or joint injuries are often treated with an elastic bandage. This sheet gives instructions for how to apply and care for one.

Arthralgia is the term for pain in or around the joint. It is a symptom, not a disease. This pain may affect 1 or more joints. Here's how to care for yourself at home.

You have a bone cyst. This is a hole, or cavity, inside your bone that is filled with fluid. It is not cancer.

Read on for instructions to help you care for your fiberglass cast.

Follow these directions to care for your plaster cast at home.

Learn how to care for yourself at home when you have chest pain caused by costochondritis.

A rib belt is an elastic strap that may help reduce pain from chest muscle strain or rib fracture.

Sacroiliitis is when 1 or both sacroiliac joints are hurt or inflamed. It can make small movements of the lower back and pelvis very painful. Learn how to care for yourself at home.

Your child may have a crack or break (fracture) in the growth plate of a bone in their shoulder, arm, or hand. Learn how to help your child heal at home.

Learn how to care for your child at home after a growth plate fracture.

A growth plate is an area near each end of the long bones that exists in children from birth to adolescence and that allows the bone to grow as the child grows. A fracture in the growth plate is known as a Salter fracture.

A growth plate is an area near each end of the long bones that exists in children from birth to adolescence and that allows the bone to grow as the child grows. A fracture in the growth plate is known as a Salter fracture. Here's how to care for your child at home.

When a tendon becomes inflamed, it is called tendonitis. This can occur from overuse, injury, or infection. Learn how to care for tendonitis at home.

Muscles are connected to bones by tendons, which can become inflamed and painful when the muscles are overused by repeated motion. This condition is called tendonitis. Tennis elbow is a form of tendonitis.

This 19 minute video discusses aspects of Heterotopic Ossification (Classifications, Etiology, Diagnosis, Prevention and treatment options) and Osteoporosis (Initial bone loss after traumatic injury, Impact of aging, Impact of menopause, Prevention and treatment options).

A cast holds your arm or leg in place to help it heal. The way you treat your cast can play a big part in how fast and how well you heal.

A fractured bone starts to heal right away. But a treatment called reduction may help you heal better. Reduction is a process that repositions your bones.

A treatment called reduction may help your wrist heal better. The goal of reduction is to get your wrist bones as close as possible to how they were before the fracture.

Treatment depends on where and how badly your ankle has been broken. A cast may be used to hold the bone in position for healing.

A sprain happens when the ligaments, or fibrous tissue, connecting bones at a joint pulls or tears. Most sprains hurt, and some take even longer than a broken bone to heal. A fracture may happen when a bone is hit with more force than it can bear.

A facial fracture means you have 1 or more broken bones in your face. These may be in your jaw, nose, cheeks, or the sockets around your eyes.

You may not always know when you have a broken toe or finger. Read on to learn about the signs, and what to do.

Any fracture to the leg or arm should be considered a medical emergency. Here's what you need to know about getting the correct treatment.

Although they can be painful, most rib fractures aren't serious. But they often make it hard to cough or breathe deeply. Here's what you need to know.

Collarbone breaks are common, and are often due to a blow or fall. Shoulder blade fractures are less common. Both injuries need treatment.

Your tailbone (coccyx) is the bone at the very end of your spine. A tailbone fracture can be very painful and may take some time to heal. Read on to learn more.

The hip is a common place for a fracture after a fall—especially in older people. Hip fractures are even more likely in people with osteoporosis.

No one plans on having a hip fracture. But a sudden fall or accident can be a life-changing event. You'll need surgery to repair the fracture, and time for it to heal. It's normal to have concerns about what to expect at this time. Below are answers to some common questions.

After a hip fracture happens, you will likely be taken to a hospital emergency room (ER). While in the ER, many tests will be done, including X-rays and blood tests.

The type of surgery you have often depends on where the hip is fractured. Read on to learn more.

Learn what to expect in the hospital after hip fracture surgery, from pain control to starting rehab.

Going home after hip fracture surgery is a big step. Your healthcare team will arrange for any medicine, equipment, and services you need. And family and friends can help by doing errands and providing emotional support. Read on to learn more.

Bones can break anywhere in the body. Casts are often used for fractures in the hands, arms, legs, or feet. There are many types of fractures. But all fractures heal the same way: New bone grows to connect the broken pieces. A cast holds broken bones in place while they heal.

Several types of casts are available to help injuries heal. Your healthcare provider will decide what type of cast will work best for your injury.

Just because your cast is off, it doesn't mean that your recovery is over. Your bone is still growing stronger and you need to care for your injury.

Shin splints are often caused by tendinitis. When the tendons in the shin muscles become inflamed, it causes pain in the shin.

A stress fracture is a very small, fine break in a bone. They often occur in the bones of the lower legs and feet.They are common in high-impact sports.

This sheet will help you recover after hip fracture surgery.

Instructions to care for yourself after having internal fixation of a fractured femur.

You are going home with pins in place. These pins are holding a broken or dislocated bone in place. Here's what you need to know about home care.

A cast helps your body heal by holding your injured bones or joints in place. Here is information on how to take care of your cast.

Your child will be going home from the hospital with a plaster cast in place. A cast helps your child's body heal. A damaged cast can prevent the injury from healing well. Take good care of your child's cast.

A removable cast, or splint, helps your body heal by holding your injured bones or joints in place. Here are instructions on how to care for it.

Your child will be going home with a removable cast (sometimes referred to as a splint). A cast helps your child's body heal by holding injured bones or joints in place. A damaged cast can keep the injury from healing well. Take good care of your child's cast. Here's what you need to know about home care.

This is a surgery to remove part or all of your leg. It is done because tissue in the leg is diseased and can't be healed. Or it may be needed to prevent the disease from spreading farther into your body. The purpose of the surgery is to restore your ability to function. This is because removing the diseased part of your leg can improve your total health.

Amputation is a surgery to remove part or all of your leg. It is done because tissue in the leg is damaged and can't be healed. Your healthcare provider may have already tried to save your damaged limb. Sometimes, though, the damage from the injury is too severe.

Amputation is surgery to remove a limb. Learn about the surgery and what to expect after.

Before and after surgery, you'll work closely with a team of experts. The members of your team guide you and your family through surgery and recovery. Get to know the members of your team.

Learn how to manage phantom sensation and phantom pain after amputation.

Soon after surgery, you'll be taught how to take care of your residual limb. This is the part of your limb that remains after amputation. Follow all directions from your healthcare team closely.

Learn what to expect after amputation as you prepare for a prosthesis.

Here's what to expect in the months after amputation surgery.

Losing a limb can be a profound shock. Everyone reacts to loss in different ways. You may be feeling angry, frustrated, scared, sad, or lonely. These are very common feelings after limb loss. You may go through distinct stages of grieving. Don't hesitate to ask for the support that you need. You don't have to go through this alone.

You may have different types of pain after amputation. Talk with your healthcare provider about your pain to get the best treatment.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal.

A boxer's fracture is a break in a bone in outer edge of the hand. The bone is under the pinky finger bones. Boxer's fracture gets its name because it is often caused by punching a hard surface with the fist.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal. Open reduction means the bones are put back in place during a surgery. Internal fixation means that special hardware is used to hold the bone pieces together.

A pilon fracture is a type of break of the shinbone (tibia) that occurs near the ankle. In most cases, it includes breaks in both the tibia and fibula of the lower leg.

Read on to learn details about treating your child's broken nose. Treatment is based on your child's age, overall health, and the type of injury.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. Read on to know what to expect before, during, and after this surgery.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal.

A fifth metatarsal fracture is a type of broken bone in your foot. The fifth metatarsal connects your smallest toe to your ankle. These bones help with arch support and balance.

A gastrocnemius muscle tear is a severe, sudden injury to your calf muscle.

Compartment syndrome most often affects the legs, arms, feet, hands, and buttocks. It is a medical emergency that should be treated right away.

When you have a fracture of the ankle, it means that one or more of the bones in the ankle are broken. The bone may be cracked, broken into two or more pieces, or even shattered.

A fracture of the clavicle is a broken collarbone. Clavicle fractures occur most often along the middle of the bone. Depending on how badly the bone is broken, healing may take a few months or longer.

When you have a humerus fracture, it means that your upper arm bone is broken. Depending on the severity of the fracture, healing may take several months or longer.

A fracture in the distal radius is a break in the lower end of the radius. This is the larger bone in the forearm.

Bennett's fracture is a break of the lower part of the first metacarpal bone in your thumb. The most common cause for this injury is a direct blow to a thumb that is bent.

This fracture may cause your foot to become misshapen. It may be difficult or impossible to walk on. The injury is often very painful.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken ankle bone back together so they can heal.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a type of treatment to fix a broken bone. It puts the pieces of a broken bone back together so they can heal.

Tendonitis is when a tendon is inflamed. When a tendon is inflamed, it can cause swelling, pain, and discomfort. Another problem called tenosynovitis is linked to tendonitis. This is the inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheath around a tendon.

A contusion is a bruise to the skin, muscle, or ribs. Read on to learn how to care for yourself at home.

You have a joint dislocation. This happens when a strong force is applied to the joint, tearing ligaments and forcing the bones out of place. Often no bones are broken. But the nearby nerves and blood vessels can be damaged.

A shoulder is dislocated when a strong force tears the ligaments that hold the shoulder joint together. The bones then move apart and become stuck out of place. The joint must be put back in place. Then it will take about 6 weeks for the ligaments to heal. This injury may weaken the ligaments. Weakened ligaments put you at risk for another dislocation. Another dislocation can happen even if you are hit with less force.

You broke 1 or more ribs. This is called a rib fracture.

You have a break (fracture) of the leg. A fracture is treated with a splint, cast, or special boot. It will take at about 4 to 6 weeks for the fracture to heal. If you have a severe injury, you may need surgery to fix it.

You have a break (fracture) of the arm, wrist, or hand. This may be a small crack in the bone. Or it may be a major break, with the broken parts pushed out of position. Learn how to care for yourself at home as you heal.

A groin strain is a stretching or partial tearing of the muscle in the lower abdomen or upper thigh. This may happen because of too much coughing, heavy lifting, or active sports. Here's how to care for yourself at home.

A hip dislocation happens when the femur pops out of its socket. Learn what kind of care is needed.

A hip contusion can cause swelling, pain, and changes in skin color. Here's how to care for yourself at home.

You have a strain of the muscles around the hip joint. A muscle strain is a stretching or tearing of muscle fibers. Learn how to care for a hip strain at home.

A muscle strain is a stretching or tearing of the muscle fibers.

You have a break or fracture of both bones in the forearm. The bones are out of place and must be set to make them straight again.

You have a break or fracture of both bones in the forearm. The bones are not out of place and won't need to be set.

A shoulder immobilizer is designed to hold your arm against your body. It is used for injuries where you need to limit how much you can move your shoulder. These injuries include a shoulder dislocation or shoulder fracture. Moving your shoulder too much could cause harm.

A sling is designed to support your arm in a position of rest. It is used for injuries of the hand, forearm, upp er arm, and shoulder.

Sling and swathe is used to support your arm and hold it closely against your body after an injury.

Here are directions to care for your splint at home.

It will take up to 2 hours for your fiberglass splint to fully harden. Don't put any pressure on it during that time or it may break. Here are instructions to care for your splint at home.

A muscle strain is a stretching and tearing of muscle fibers.

A subungual hematoma is blood under the nail. It occurs when the finger or toe has been hit or crushed. It causes the nail to look blue. Sometimes, the bone under the nail may be fractured.

Because of a child's softer bones, 1 side of a bone may buckle or bend without any break occurring in the other side. This injury is called an incomplete fracture or a torus fracture. These fractures heal faster than complete fractures.

Because of a child's softer bones, one side of the bone may buckle or bend without any break occurring in the other side. This injury is called an incomplete fracture or a torus fracture. These fractures heal faster than complete fractures.

A tendon cut may be partial or complete. A complete cut of the tendon and a severe partial cut will need stitches in the tendon. Smaller cuts in the tendon do not need stitches, but the cut in the skin will need to be closed.

A rib fracture (bone break) may cause the same symptoms as a rib contusion. Treatment for both is the same.

A biceps tendon connects the bicep muscle to the bones at the shoulder and elbow. This tendon can fray from heavy use over time then completely rupture or tear from injury such as lifting a heavy object.

This injury may be caused by excessive force or other trauma such as can happen when you fall from a height or are in a car crash.