Most Common Conditions

The following information briefly describes the most common orthopaedic conditions seen in our office.

Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Chronic disorder of a knee joint with excessive erosion of the cartilage surface associated with excess bone formation at the margins of the joint and gradual loss of function because of pain and stiffness. This may be the outcome of abnormal mechanical forces, such as prior injury, a systemic disorder, or part of a generalized osteoarthritis process.

Meniscal Tears of the Knee
The knee is an unusual joint because it contains ligaments within the joint. There are also medial and lateral menisci (crescent-shaped cartilages) that can be damaged. The normal motions of the knee are very complex, including two planes or rotation: therefore it is very common to see multiple injuries. A tear of the meniscus can occur in association with a sprain. Meniscus tears are described by their appearance, such as “parrot-beak” and “bucket handle.” The location of tears may be used to define a specific meniscus injury.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Decreased sensation with pain in palm and forearm and occasionally weakness in thumb movements due to compression of the median nerve at the transverse carpal ligament.

Rotator Cuff Injury
Inflammation or rupture of one or more of the tendons that lie deep in the shoulder and bridge the glenohumeral joint. This type of injury is inhibiting in pitchers and tennis players, in particular, and can be caused by excessive use, direct blow, or stretch injury.

Chondromalacia Patella
Premature degeneration of the patellar (kneecap) cartilage, the patellar margins become producing pain when the patella is pressed against the femur.