Common Orthopedic Injuries & Conditions

Orthopedic advances over the last decade have today given athletes sustaining a once devastating injury a second chance at their sport and careers, while affording the weekend warrior with "Lance Armstrong ambition" and the retiree alike an opportunity to live the second half of life as active as the first.

A greater understanding of the human body and its interconnecting muscles, tendons, nerves and other soft tissue has expanded the scope of treatment options and launched a new generation of less invasive, long-term solutions for joint preservation - and range of motion so important to quality of life. Leading biomedical companies continue to explore the potential of cartilage regeneration and work with leading orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine doctors around the world to bring this to patients and keep active societies moving. This work in orthopedics is so important, because staying active and continuing to move is key to maintaining overall health and longevity.

Among the most common injuries and conditions treated in sports medicine today include shoulder instability problems and dislocations and rotator cuff tears. This is no surprise, as the shoulder joint, comprised of three main bones - shoulder blade (scapula), collarbone (clavicle) and upper arm bone (humerus) - stabilized by a group of muscles and tendons known as the rotator cuff is able to achieve the greatest range of motion than any other joint in the human body. And as an essential part of the upper body unit, it has the potential to be utilized in a different way every single day, from daily activity we do without thought, to demanding tasks and repetitive sports movements. Often used to shield from and soften a blow from an accident or harsh impact, it is also vulnerable to traumatic injury.

Another very common orthopedic injury involves the knee joint. Regularly used and load bearing, the knee joint is comprised of four bones - tibia, fibula, femur and patella - connected by tendon, ligament and cartilage. Supporting the weight of the upper legs and upper body, the knee joints are subjected to tremendous wear and tear over the course of a life. And those of athletes and the more active in our society are subjected to even greater demands and forceful blows, twists and turns. Cartilage and ligament tearsare among the most common injuries impacting the knee joint.

Fractures and dislocations would also account for a large portion of the most common orthopedic injuries treated, particularly the collarbone, wrist (distal radius), and tibia and fibula. It not properly treated at the time of the injury, an unstable joint environment wears on the joints and can result in the early onset of osteoarthritis.

Many overstress sports and daily activities can also result in common orthopedic conditions affecting the tendons and nerves in the overstessed joints and limbs, such as bursitis and tendonitis.

Houston Orthopedic Surgeon Kaare Kolstad agrees that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of an injury is key to preserving normal range of motion and a stable joint environment - avoiding the early onset of osteoarthritis. Treatments options today are less invasive than ever before, promoting early movement with a faster recovery and long-term results. Some of the advances in treatment include Rehabilitation as a standalone treatment option, patella realignment, joint resurfacing and restructuring and partial rather than full joint replacement.

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