Orthopedics | Common Orthopedic Conditions (2024)

FAQs

What are the orthopedic conditions? ›

Chronic orthopedic conditions, such as arthritis and bursitis, affect the musculoskeletal system – most commonly the bones or joints. They can cause pain and dysfunction, making even normal daily activities difficult.

Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis impacting elderly adults, with over 32.5 million Americans suffering from this condition. Commonly referred to as “wear and tear arthritis,” osteoarthritis develops when your cartilage deteriorates as you age.

: marked by or affected with a skeletal deformity, disorder, or injury. an orthopedic condition. people with orthopedic problems.

ACUTE ORTHOPEDIC EMERGENCIES

Open fractures. Multiple long bone fractures & pelvic fractures. Major joint dislocations, e.g. Knee, hip. Fractures and dislocations with evidence of neurovascular compromise.

These can be divided into three main areas: neuromotor impairments, degenerative diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders. The specific characteristics of an individual who has an orthopedic impairment will depend on the specific disease and its severity, as well as additional individual factors.

Knee Replacement

This is the most complex joint of the body. A knee replacement is also known as knee arthroplasty. According to the Mayo Clinic, a surgeon will assess the range of motion, stability, and strength of your knee before choosing surgery.

Total hip replacement

The surgery varies for people in terms of how painful it is. Most people agree that the recovery and rehabilitation process involves a high degree of pain. The pain can radiate from the hip into other parts of your body, including the legs and groin.

Degenerative joint disease, or joint degeneration, is another name for osteoarthritis. It is known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis because it develops as joints wear down, allowing bones to rub against each other. People with degenerative joint disease often have joint stiffness, pain and swollen joints.

What is a degenerative condition most common in the elderly? ›

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis among older adults. It is also one of the most common causes of physical disability among adults. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that happens when the tissues that cushion the ends of the bones within the joints break down over time.

Muscle and bone conditions in older age

osteoarthritis – the cartilage within the joint breaks down, causing pain and stiffness. osteomalacia – the bones become soft, due to problems with the metabolism of vitamin D. osteoporosis – the bones lose mass and become brittle. Fractures are more likely.

Chronic orthopedic conditions, in essence, are those affecting the bones, joints, and soft tissues whose course lasts longer than a year and cannot be cured—only managed or controlled with ongoing treatment.

Common orthopaedic tests include bone densitometry, skeletal scintigraphy, discography, myelography and electromyography. Most of these tests rely on proven technology, such as X-ray, MRI, ultrasound and computed tomography.

Orthopedic disorders are issues that affect the joints in our body. Commonly, these disorders are due to old age. However, there seems to be an increasing incidence of orthopedic disorders caused by accidents or injuries. It is imperative to get timely medical treatment for such disorders.

These injuries occur in the musculoskeletal system, including bones, cartilage, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons of the body. Common injuries include fractures, ligament tears, tendon tears, and joint dislocations. Orthopedic trauma can affect anyone.

An orthopedic doctor (also called an orthopedist) treats injuries and diseases involving muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. These include conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, scoliosis, bone cancer, back pain, and sports injuries. They can provide surgical and nonsurgical treatments.

Some examples of operations performed by an orthopedic surgeon include: Joint replacement. Joint replacement surgery involves replacing the parts of a joint that have become damaged or diseased, usually secondary to arthritis. Examples include knee replacement and hip replacement surgery.