Orthopedic conditions encompass a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders that affect bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the body. The soft and hard tissues could stretch, tear, or break, and there are doctors who specialize in treating these issues.
Orthopedic doctors are musculoskeletal specialists. They evaluate the information provided by the patient, including the symptoms, before making a diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis leads to better health outcomes for the patient.
In this blog, we discuss some of the most common orthopedic conditions, their symptoms, and how they are diagnosed.
Common Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Conditions
Rotator Cuff Tears
Overuse, trauma, or degeneration of the rotator cuff tendon are common causes of rotator cuff tears. Common symptoms include shoulder pain and weakness, as well as a limited ability to move the arm.
Orthopedic doctors typically diagnose rotator cuff tears through a physical examination and an X-ray or MRI to examine the soft tissue in the shoulder.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Repetitive gripping and twisting motions of the forearm and wrist, common in activities like tennis, racquet sports, and certain occupations, are often the cause of tennis elbow. Symptoms include pain and tenderness on the outer side of the elbow, particularly near the bony bump.
A clinical assessment and thoroughly reviewing the patient’s lifestyle, activities, and symptoms are used to diagnose tennis elbow.
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Repetitive flexion and gripping motions of the forearm and wrist, as well as straining the forearm flexor tendons lead to golfer’s elbow. Common symptoms include pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, specifically in the vicinity of the bony bump known as the medial epicondyle.
Doctors diagnose golfer’s elbow by gathering a detailed history of the patient’s lifestyle/activities and doing a comprehensive review of the symptoms experienced by the patient.
Common Hand and Wrist Orthopedic Conditions
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, commonly due to repetitive hand and wrist motions, is the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Common symptoms include hand pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness.
Physical examination, nerve conduction studies, and sometimes diagnostic imaging are used to diagnose carpel tunnel syndrome.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
This condition is caused by inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Common symptoms are pain and swelling at the base of the thumb, often aggravated by gripping or twisting motions.
A physical examination and diagnostic imaging are conducted for diagnosis confirmation.
Wrist Fractures
Falling onto an outstretched hand or experiencing high-impact trauma are common causes of wrist fractures. Symptoms include immediate pain, swelling, and tenderness, as well as difficulty using the hand and possible deformity of the wrist.
To diagnose wrist fractures, doctors perform a physical examination and order diagnostic imaging.
Common Hip and Knee Orthopedic Conditions
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis refers to wear and tear of the cartilage in joints, like the hip or knee, often due to aging or overuse. Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, especially after periods of inactivity.
Doctors perform a physical examination and order diagnostic imaging to diagnose osteoarthritis.
Meniscus Tears
Sudden twisting or trauma, or gradual degeneration over time can lead to meniscus tears. Symptoms include knee pain, swelling, and sometimes a sensation of locking or catching in the joint.
A clinical evaluation, often confirmed with MRI, is used for diagnostic purposes.
ACL Tears
ACL tears are caused by sudden stops and changes in direction of the knee, or due to a direct blow to the knee. Common symptoms include a distinct “popping” sound or sensation and immediate pain and swelling at the time of injury.
ACL tears are diagnosed through a physical examination, the Lachman test, and imaging studies, such as MRI.
Common Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Conditions
Ankle Sprain
During an ankle sprain, ankle ligaments are stretched or torn, often due to a sudden twist, turn, or misstep. Immediate pain and tenderness on the outer or inner side of the ankle and instability are common symptoms.
A physical examination and diagnostic testing, such as the anterior drawer test or inversion stress test, are used to diagnose an ankle sprain.
Heel Pain/Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis refers to inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot. Heel pain, particularly during the first steps in the morning or after periods of inactivity, is the most prevalent symptom.
Plantar fasciitis is diagnosed through a physical examination, which is sometimes supplemented with medical imaging.
Achilles Tendonitis/Tendinopathy
Overuse or repetitive stress on the Achilles tendon, often seen in athletes, is a cause of Achilles tendonitis. Pain and stiffness at the back of the heel or above the ankle are common symptoms of this condition.
Orthopedic doctors perform a physical examination to diagnose this condition, which is often confirmed with ultrasound or MRI.
Top Orthopedic Doctors in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia
The orthopedic doctors at Watauga Orthopedics provide individualized treatments for patients with musculoskeletal injuries or disorders. We treat a wide range of orthopedic conditions, with a special focus on sports medicine and physical therapy.
Our team is committed to your relief and recovery. To schedule an appointment with a top orthopedic doctor, call our office today at (423) 282-9011 or use our online request form. Our friendly staff looks forward to meeting you very soon.
