Most Common Orthopedic Problems

Orthopedic problems are common in elderly people but the hectic life nowadays has made people of all ages face some or the other kind of orthopedic problems. This can range from some inconveniences such as back pain, neck pain, or knee pain to advanced orthopedic problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, periarthritis and more. Hence we are going to discuss these common orthopedic problems in this blog.

Back Pain: We should start with the most common problem which is Back Pain. Physical discomfort occurring anywhere on the spine or back, ranging from mild to disabling. Back pain can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include overuse such as working out or lifting too much, prolonged sitting and lying down, sleeping in an uncomfortable position or wearing a poorly fitting backpack.

Another variant of the back pain is the lower back pain and as the name suggests it affects your lower back. You may also have back stiffness, decreased movement of the lower back, and difficulty standing straight. The symptoms of low back pain show up as pain in the low back that can include pain that goes into the glutes (buttocks), hips or legs. The pain can be sharp, dull, aching, burning or a combination of all of these. It can be constant, intermittent or activity-related.

See a doctor immediately if you experienced a trauma such as a car crash or fall, Develop a fever, Have trouble passing stool or urinating, Feel intense or constant pain, Develop pain that extends down one or both legs, Have weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs, Experience swelling, redness or unintentional weight loss, Can't work, sleep or perform daily activities. If pain is severe, resting for up to two days may help. Taking a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, diclofenac or naproxen may also ease discomfort.

Neck Pain: Neck pain is pain that starts in the neck and can be associated with radiating pain down one or both of the arms. Neck pain can come from a number of disorders or diseases that involve any of the tissues in the neck, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, or muscles. Neck pain may be caused by arthritis, disc degeneration, narrowing of the spinal canal, muscle inflammation, strain or trauma. In rare cases, it may be a sign of cancer or meningitis.

Those with neck pain may be referred to a neurosurgeon because of pain in the neck, shoulder or tingling and numbness in the arms or weakness.

Neurosurgeons should be consulted for neck pain if:

• It occurs after an injury or blow to the head
• Fever or headache accompanies the neck pain
• Stiff neck prevents the patient from touching chin to chest
• Pain shoots down one arm
• There is tingling, numbness or weakness in the arms or hands
• Neck symptoms associated with leg weakness or loss of coordination in arms or legs
• The pain does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication
• Pain does not improve after a week

Most causes of neck pain are not life-threatening and resolve with time and conservative medical treatment. Determining a treatment strategy depends mainly on identifying the location and cause of the pain. Although neck pain can be quite debilitating and painful, nonsurgical management can alleviate many symptoms. The doctor may prescribe medications to reduce the pain or inflammation and muscle relaxants to allow time for healing to occur. Reducing physical activities or wearing a cervical collar may help provide support for the spine, reduce mobility and decrease pain and irritation. Trigger point injection, including corticosteroids, can temporarily relieve pain. Occasionally, epidural steroids may be recommended. Conservative treatment options may continue for up to six or eight weeks.

If the patient is experiencing any weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, seek medical advice more urgently. If the patient has had any trauma and is now experiencing neck pain with weakness or numbness, urgent consultation with a neurosurgeon is recommended.

Knee Pain: Knee pain can be an extremely common complaint. While unpleasant and frustrating, the upside is that many causes of knee pain are often very treatable.

Diagnosing your knee pain first requires a focused medical history, one that sorts out the details of the pain, such as what it feels like (e.g. aching, sharp, or burning), where it's located (e.g. front of or behind the knee), when it started (e.g., gradually or suddenly), and whether there was any recent trauma (e.g. blow to the knee).

Besides a medical history, your doctor will perform an examination of the knee joint and potentially order imaging tests to make or confirm a diagnosis. In the end, understanding the precise cause of your knee pain is key to you and your doctor formulating an effective treatment plan—one that optimizes the relief of symptoms and returns to normal function.

Your knee is a complex structure consisting of three bones—the lower part of the thighbone, the upper part of the shinbone, and the kneecap. Then, there are strong ligaments and tendons that hold these bones together, as well as cartilage beneath the kneecap and between the bones to cushion and stabilize the knee. Damage or disease that affects any of these structures may lead to pain.

If you have knee pain, some common causes include:

• Knee Arthritis
• Knee Ligament Injuries
• Torn Knee Cartilage
• Dislocating Kneecap
• Knee Joint Infection
• Kneecap Fracture

If you are unsure of the cause of your symptoms, or if you do not know the specific treatment recommendations for your condition, you should seek medical attention. Treatment of knee pain must be directed at the specific cause of your problem. See your doctor if you have:

• An inability to walk comfortably on the affected side
• An injury that causes deformity around the joint
• Knee pain that occurs at night or while resting
• Knee pain that persists beyond a few days
• Locking (inability to bend) in the knee
• Swelling of the joint or the calf area
• Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, or warmth
• Any other unusual symptoms

Treatment of knee pain depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you receive a diagnosis and understand the cause of your symptoms before embarking on a treatment program. If you have not been diagnosed, you should seek medical advice before beginning any treatment plan.