Joint Health

Recently Answered

• QHow can tendinitis be prevented in children while playing sports?

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  A Dr. Corey S. Gill, MD , Orthopedic Surgery, answered on behalf of Medical City Children’s Hospital

  Children can prevent tendinitis while playing sports by stretching. Pre-teens and teenagers especially have these overused injuries because they're very tight. This is the biggest risk factor increasing the chance of having both tendinitis and inflammation of growth plates where the tendons attached to the bone, and sprains and strains.
  
  For example, cheerleaders and gymnasts can have either very tight hamstrings or very tight calves, which are the two biggest problems. These muscles tend to be the tightest as children grow and shoot up in size and height. Sometimes it takes a while for the muscles to catch up. If children are not staying loose, then they’re more likely to get muscle strains, ligament sprains, and overused injuries where there is inflammation where the tendons attach to the bone.  It's important to do a full stretching program. 
• QHow common are herniated lumbar discs?

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  A RealAge answered

  Lower back pain is extremely common, affecting as many as 9 out of 10 Americans across a lifetime. This is often a symptom of herniated discs, which are very common; herniated discs affect about a third of American adults, although only 3% experience symptoms at any given time. More than 80% of herniated discs occur in the lumbar region of the spine (the lower back). After a herniated disc heals or is repaired, there is a 5% chance of it herniating again. 
• QWhat increases my risk for a herniated lumbar disc?

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  A RealAge answered

  Some risk factors for herniated lumbar discs are unavoidable. Men are at higher risk than women, mostly between the ages of 30 and 50. Genetics may play a role; there seems to be an inherited tendency toward disc herniation. Poor body mechanics (straining the back by lifting with the knees straight, twisting violently or engaging in repetitive back-straining activities) can raise your risk, as can a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight. Other suspected risk factors include smoking and long periods of driving.
• QWhat does it mean when a child is pigeon-toed?

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  A Baptist Health South Florida answered

  When a child is pigeon-toed it means the child walks with his or her feet pointing toward the center, as opposed to slightly outward. Also known as intoeing, being pigeon-toed can be caused by three factors: a curve in the thigh bone (femur), the shin bone (tibia) or the foot. Having a child who is pigeon-toed is one of the most common reasons that parents consult an orthopedic specialist.
   
  This content originally appeared online at Baptist Health South Florida. https://baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-news/child-pigeon-toed-mean-video/?cat=life
• QWhat is tendonitis?

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  A Wade A. Kenney, PA , Orthopedic Surgery, answered on behalf of Greenville Health System

  

  Tendonitis is a chronic inflammation caused by repitition of certain activities, according to Wade Kenney, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at Greenville Health System. Learn more in this video.
• QWhat is osteoma?

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  A RealAge answered

  An osteoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor of the bone. Most osteomas occur on the skull or jaw, do not cause pain or other symptoms and need no treatment, unless they interfere with the normal functioning of the eye, sinus or other body part. Osteomas occur most commonly in people over age 40. Osteomas make up just 2% of primary brain tumors.
  
  An osteoid osteoma is a small, benign bone tumor that usually affects people under age 30. It is often found in the hips or legs, but may occur in the spine. Boys are twice as likely to develop osteoid osteomas as girls. Although they are not cancerous, and they usually resolve on their own, osteoid osteomas can be very painful. Doctors may prescribe medication to relieve the pain. In some cases surgery may also be recommended.
• QShould I talk to my doctor about my herniated lumbar disc symptoms?

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  A RealAge answered

  If you have not yet been diagnosed, you should see your doctor if the symptoms of a herniated lumbar disc persist for more than six weeks. These include lower back pain, and possibly weakness, numbness or tingling in the leg or foot. If the pain is severe, or your symptoms worsen, or are accompanied by symptoms like fever, loss of bladder control, breathing problems or vomiting, or you have a compromised immune system (or take immunosuppressant drugs), see your doctor right away. 
• QHow do I manage my herniated lumbar disc on a daily basis?

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  A RealAge answered

  Most often a herniated lumbar disc will improve with rest, mainly by avoiding those activities that may have caused the injury in the first place (heavy lifting, twisting or activities with repetitive bending, for example). A couple of days of rest followed by gentle resumption of activities may be all that is needed. If your doctor recommends physical therapy, make sure to follow the instructions from the therapist. Other ways to deal with a herniated lumbar disc are to improve your body mechanics (lifting properly with the knees, for instance), achieving a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and engaging in exercise that does not put strain on the lower back. 
• QWhen should trigger finger be treated?

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  A Dr. Neema C. Amin, MD , Orthopedic Surgery, answered on behalf of John Randolph Medical Center - HCA Virginia

  

  Medical attention for trigger finger is warranted when symptoms become painful and more frequent. Watch hand surgeon Neema Amin, MD, of John Randolph Medical Center, describe treatment options, including a simple surgery.
• QIs degenerative disc disease life threatening?

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  Degenerative disc disease can have no symptoms or be very painful. Very rarely, it can become so severe that the nerves leaving the spinal column are severely entrapped. Without treatment this can lead to paralysis, but it is not life threatening.