A torn meniscus is a common injury in the knee. A tear can happen in any age group. In young people, the meniscus is fairly tough, and tears usually happen from a very forceful twisting injury. In older people, the meniscus has grown weaker with age, and tears of the meniscus can happen from a minor injury, such as the simple motion of squatting.

The collateral ligaments stabilize the knee by limiting side-to-side movement of the tibia and femur. Ligaments are not meant to be very elastic. If the collateral ligaments are forced to stretch too far, they can tear. The medial collateral ligament can tear in the middle of the ligament, where the medial collateral ligament attaches to the tibia, or where the medial collateral ligament attaches to the femur.

Arthritis is the nation’s number one chronic disease and affects more than 41 million Americans. The most common form of arthritis, called osteoarthritis, affects 1 in every 3 people by the time they reach age 30 and affects nearly everyone by the time they are 60. About half the people with arthritis don’t have symptoms and only a small group have arthritis to the point of having severe pain or becoming disabled. The main 3 types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

I just got back from buying groceries and like every other retailer during the month of October, the grocery store is making me aware of breast cancer by selling all things pink. Unfortunately, I don’t need a pink gimic to make me aware of breast cancer—I have a sister currently fighting metastatic breast cancer. Thinking [...]

If you have ever been to the drug store to buy an ice bag you know they can be expensive and most likely you will only buy one. So here’s an inexpensive way to make your own ice bag. You should make several so you will always have one ready when you need to ice.

Achilles tendonitis is when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed or irritated. The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscle to the heel. This inflammation is often a result of a lot of stress on your calf muscles and Achilles tendon from either a sudden increase in intensity or frequency of exercise.

Impingement syndrome is the compromise of the bursa and rotator cuff in the subacromial space of the shoulder, causing pain with overhead or rotational movements like throwing or swimming. This syndrome is seen in people who do repetitive overhead activities. It is initially treated with rotator cuff strengthening exercises, anti-inflammatory medicine, and injections. If nonsurgical treatment doesn’t work, then acromioplasty can be done to open up the subacromial space and relieve pressure on the soft tissues.

The following exercises can help you in rehabilitation of your shoulder joint after an injury or surgery. Keep in mind these exercises are meant for rehabilitation and reconditioning following surgery or injury. They are not meant to be used as a regular exercise routine for sports or conditioning. Rehabilitation is meant only to help you gain full flexibility, strength, and endurance and to help you regain normal function of your shoulder joint.

RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is one of the most important “first” treatments for many injuries. You may see “RICE” used in information about athletic injuries. Think “RICE” when you have strains, sprains, or contusions. RICE therapy should also be used for dislocations or bone fractures that don’t break the skin and may be ordered by your surgeon after certain kinds of surgery.