General Orthopaedics

Our musculoskeletal system is a complex system comprising of bone, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and skin. General orthopedics is the field of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system and a variety of orthopedic conditions. Physicians who work in this field of medicine are referred to as orthopedists or orthopedic doctors.

Bursitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the bursae, which are tiny, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the various bones, tendons, and muscles near a joint. Bursitis can usually be treated with conservative measures such as rest, ice, taking over-the-counter pain-relieving medication, and relieving pressure on the affected area by using a walking cane or other assistive devices.

Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are bony projections that develop along the edges of a bone or in the area where muscles, tendons, and ligaments are attached. Bone spurs are often found in joints and also in the bones of the spine. The main cause of bone spurs is from disease conditions such as osteoarthritis. Other factors which can exacerbate bone spurs include being overweight, poor posture, past injuries, and ill-fitting shoes.

The term arthritis literally means inflammation of a joint but is generally used to describe any condition in which there is damage to the cartilage. Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury. The warning signs that inflammation presents are redness, swelling, heat, and pain. The cartilage is a padding that absorbs stress. The proportion of cartilage damage and synovial inflammation varies with the type and stage of arthritis.

Post-traumatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs following a physical injury or severe trauma to a joint. Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint that causes pain, swelling, inflammation, and stiffness. The joints are lined by soft articular cartilage that cushions the joints and aids in smooth movement of the joint bones. Degeneration of cartilage due to wear and tear leads to arthritis.

Osteoarthritis also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs most often in older people. This disease affects the tissue covering the ends of bones in a joint (cartilage). In a person with osteoarthritis, the cartilage becomes damaged and worn out causing pain, swelling, stiffness and restricted movement in the affected joint. This condition most commonly affects the joints in the hips, knees, hands, and spine. Rarely, the disease may affect the shoulders, wrists, and feet.

Muscle pain or myalgia is a discomfort experienced in the muscle tissue and can be felt practically anywhere in the body. Joint pain is a discomfort arising out of any tissues within your joint including ligaments, cartilage, bone, muscles, or tendons.Most cases of muscle and joint pain are rarely an emergency and can be successfully treated at home.