Bone & Joint Conditions

Recently Answered

• QWhy do my ankles pop?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A National Athletic Trainers' Association answered

  This popping or grinding that you hear is called crepidus. There are two major tendons on the outside (lateral) portion of the leg. They are the peroneus brevis and longus. They run through a sheath that keeps them locked into place. If this sheath becomes damaged, the tendons can snap out of place and then return to their original resting spot.
  
  Popping and snapping can be caused by a few different problems. It could be soft tissue (most likely a tendon, ligament or muscle) that has been damaged or injured in some way and has become larger than the space around it allows. This could cause it to rub up against a bone, producing the snapping or popping sound you hear. 
  
  It could also be articular cartilage that has become torn up or has broken off completely from the bone. Articular cartilage acts like the brake pads in your car, except it’s for bones. It protects bones from rubbing on each other, and over time can become worn down, or even damaged. If the articular cartilage catches on the bone or breaks away and is stuck between two bones, it could cause a snap or pop to be heard along with a feeling of catching, locking or giving way. Generally, popping and snapping is not normal, and it may be necessary to visit a physician or orthopedist who can help you figure out what the problem is and how to treat it. 

  If pain is associated with these noises, you should consult a medical professional.

  This answer provided for NATA by Kathryn J. Larko, MPA, ATC, CES, as well as the Eastern University Athletic Training Education Program.

• QWhat causes numbness from my shoulder to my fingertips?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center answered

  Numbness and pain radiating in the arms could be due to a condition called cervical radiculopathy, also known as a pinched nerve.

  See All 3 Answers
• QHow do tight or stiff muscles affect my joints?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center answered

  Tight or stiff muscles will affect the range of motion of your spine and joints and will often affect weight distribution and stress loading on various areas of the skeleton. Therefore, stretching, strengthening and posture will play an important role throughout your life.

  See All 3 Answers
• QWhat makes a synovial joint move smoothly?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Jumo Health answered

  There are three things that make a synovial joint move smoothly: the capsule, the synovial membrane and the cartilage. All the parts work together to make the bones slide over each other easily instead of banging and rubbing.

  • The capsule’s job is to hold the bones in the right positions so the joint can move properly.
  • Synovial joints have synovial membranes that make fluid. Synovial fluid makes it easier for the joints to move.
  • Cartilage covers the ends of the bones and cushions them like a shock absorber. This means the joints can handle impact.
• QWhat happens when there's bleeding in the joints?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Jumo Health answered

  Bleeding in joints, like the knee, means that blood builds up, causing problems. When this happens, it can at first feel like a tingle. As the blood builds up, the joint swells, feels warm, and starts to hurt, which can make it difficult and painful to move around.

• QIs knee replacement the only option if I have bone on bone in my knee?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center answered

  Knee replacement surgery is the last option to be considered, but with bone-on-bone arthritis that causes severe knee pain and limitation, it typically is the only long term solution. Prior to replacement surgery, you should try low impact aerobic exercise, activity modification, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen, weight loss and steroid injections.

• QWhy is there a popping sound when a joint is adjusted?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A American Chiropractic Association answered

  Adjustment (or manipulation) of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints, which makes a popping sound. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released. There is usually minimal, if any, discomfort involved. 
• QWhat is the difference between edema and effusion?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A National Athletic Trainers' Association answered

  Edema is swelling that occurs outside a joint. Effusion is swelling within a joint.
  
  (This answer provided for NATA by the Gustavus Adolphus College Athletic Training Education Program.)
• QWhat causes my legs and feet to swell?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  If you've suddenly found yourself shopping for wider or larger shoes, you may want to take a better look at the reasons why. If your shoes no longer fit, this could be a sign of edema, a swelling of the feet, ankles and legs caused by excess fluid trapped in your body's tissues. This may present itself as what people more commonly recognize as "cankles," or calf-ankles.
  
  Mild cases can be caused by sitting or staying in one position for too long, or consuming too much salt. However, in more serious cases, edema can be an indicator of something more serious: heart failure (the heart loses its ability to pump blood effectively and blood backs up in your legs); severe liver disease (compromised liver function causes changes in the way your body regulates fluids); or kidney disease (when the kidneys can not eliminate enough fluid and sodium from your blood).

  See All 2 Answers