Foot Pain/Injuries
Each of your feet has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Ill-fitting shoes often cause these problems. Aging and being overweight increase your chances of having foot problems. Common foot conditions treated include:
- Sprains and strains
- Degenerative arthritis
- Sports injuries
- Occupational injuries
- Muscle/tendon/ligament injuries
- Radiculopathy
- Nerve injuries(i.e. carpal tunnel syndrome
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spasticity
- Dystonia
Knee Pain/Injuries
Your knee joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have knee problems. Knee problems can cause pain and difficulty walking.
Arthritis is the most common disease that affects bones in your knees. The cartilage in the knee gradually wears away, causing pain and swelling. Injuries to ligaments and tendons also cause knee problems. A common injury is to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). You usually injure your ACL by a sudden twisting motion. ACL and other knee injuries are common sports injuries.
Hip Pain/Injuries
Your hip is the joint where your thigh bone meets your pelvis bone. Hips are called ball-and-socket joints because the ball-like top of your thigh bone moves within a cup-like space in your pelvis. Your hips are very stable. When they are healthy, it takes great force to hurt them.
Certain diseases also lead to hip injuries or problems. Osteoarthritis can cause pain and limited motion. Osteoporosis of the hip causes weak bones that break easily. Both of these are common in older people. However, playing sports, running, overuse or falling can all sometimes lead to hip injuries. These may include:
- Sprains and strains
- Bursitis
- Dislocations
- Fractures
For more information about physiatry, physical rehabilitation medicine, medical conditions or to setup an appointment, contact Stan Mathew, MD.