Many diseases and conditions affect the body's musculoskeletal system and require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Saint Francis Medical Center's Orthopedic Institute offers high-quality care for the following:
Anterior cruciate ligament tears (blown-out knee)
Often referred to as the ACL, this ligament in the knee crosses from the underside of the femur (the thigh bone) to the top of the tibia (the bigger bone in the lower leg). The ACL prevents the tibia from sliding forward during movement.
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. When joints are inflamed, they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are more than 100 types of arthritis.
Avascular necrosis
Avascular necrosis is poor blood supply to an area of bone that leads to bone death.
Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa, a tiny fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. The major bursae are located adjacent to the tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
This nerve damage is caused by compression and irritation of the median nerve in the wrist.
Cartilage tears and defects
Cartilage is the firm, rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joint
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by compression or injury of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Symptoms may include pain and numbness along the ulnar aspect (the little finger side) of the hand and forearm and weakness of the hand.
Fibromyalgia
Characterized by chronic pain, stiffness and tenderness of muscles, tendons and joints without detectable inflammation, fibromyalgia does not cause body damage or deformity. Undue fatigue and sleep disorders plague the large majority of patients with fibromyalgia.
Fractures
Fractures are a break in bone or cartilage. Although they usually result from trauma, fractures can be caused by an acquired bone disease (such as osteoporosis).
Herniated disc
Herniated disc results in the rupturing of the tissue that separates the vertebral bones of the spinal column.
Impingement syndrome
Impingement syndrome is a condition that affects the rotator cuff, causing shoulder pain.
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Lateral epicondylitis is a painful injury to the tendon attached to the outer part of the elbow due to repetitive twisting of the wrist or forearm, causing irritation and inflammation of the extensor tendon.
Low back pain
Pain in the lower back area is often related to problems with the lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, or skin covering the lumbar area.
Medial epicondylitis (golfer or baseball elbow)
The inner portion of the elbow is a bony prominence called the medial epicondyle. Tendons from the muscles attach here and can be injured, causing medial epicondylitis.
Neck pain
Because the neck is so flexible and supports the head, it is extremely vulnerable to injury. Neck pain may result from abnormalities in soft tissues (muscles, ligaments and nerves) as well as in bones, joints and discs of the spine. Pain may also occur from degenerative joint disease, arthritis or pinched nerves. The most common causes of neck pain are soft tissue abnormalities due to injury or prolonged wear and tear. In rare cases, infection or tumors may cause neck pain. In some people, neck problems may be the source of pain in the upper back, shoulders or arms.
Osteoarthritis
This type of arthritis is caused by inflammation, breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. It is also known as degenerative arthritis.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is thinning of the bones and reduction in bone mass due to depletion of calcium and bone protein. It predisposes a person to fractures, which are often slow to heal. It is more common in older adults, particularly postmenopausal women; in patients on steroids; and in those who take steroidal drugs.
Paget's disease
Paget's disease is a chronic bone disorder that typically results in enlarged, deformed bones due to excessive breakdown and formation of bone tissue that can cause bones to weaken and may result in bone pain, arthritis, deformities or fractures.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissue, as well as other organs in the body.
Rotator cuff tear
The rotator cuff is made of a group of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint. Injury can occur to the muscle or the tendon that connects the muscle to the shoulder bones. Damage to the rotator cuff is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain.
Sciatica
Sciatica is pain resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve, typically felt from the low back to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a sideways curving of the spine. Degree of severity may range from mild to severe. Scoliosis is often an incidental and harmless finding. People with mild curves may only need to visit the doctor periodically for observation. Those with more severe scoliosis may require treatment, such as bracing, casting or surgical correction.
Shoulder dislocation
Shoulder dislocation occurs when the ball of the shoulder joint (the top rounded portion of the upper arm bone) is displaced from the socket of the joint.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces in the spine, resulting in compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord by bony spurs in the spinal canal or due to dehydration and shrinking of discs that cause the spine to settle.
Torn meniscus
A partial or total tear of a meniscus may occur when a person quickly twists or rotates the upper leg while the foot stays still (for example, when dribbling a basketball around an opponent or turning to hit a tennis ball). If the tear is tiny, the meniscus stays connected to the front and back of the knee; if the tear is large, the meniscus may be left hanging by a thread of cartilage. The seriousness of a tear depends on its location and extent.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a hyperextension (over-extension) injury to the neck, often the result of being struck from behind, as by a fast-moving vehicle in a car accident.