What Does Meniscus Pain Feel Like And How Can You Get Relief?
By Micheal Albrecht, M.D. Meniscus pain is typically sharp and stabbing, and can have an audible or palpable popping or clicking, or even a mechanical locking sensation where the knee literally cannot be moved (called “painful mechanical symptoms”). Meniscus tear pain can make even the most simple tasks feel unbearable, like rolling over in bed, getting out of a chair or car seat, twisting, or squatting and kneeling or crossing the leg. Anyone can experience pain from a meniscus tear, and unfortunately for us all, meniscus tears become more common as we get older. Thankfully, Advanced Orthopedics is well-versed in meniscus
Stress and Shoulder Pain: The Invisible Link That May Be Affecting Your Pain
By Brett Robin, M.D. Stress and shoulder pain are more closely linked than you might think. Whether physical stress after a surgery or injury or mental stress–you may find your shoulder pain flares up in tandem with stress levels. As an orthopedist, I think of the shoulder as the glenohumeral joint, which is strictly the ball and socket joint. However, many of my patients are likely to think of a lot of the muscles around the area as a part of the shoulder, from the scapula or shoulder blade to the chest wall and the pecs, and down to the elbow. This
What is the Best Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is one of the most severe joint disorders people suffer from. Unlike other joint problems, this is caused by the “attack” of one’s own immune system, resulting in unbearable pain and inflammation in different joints of the body. While the causes for this autoimmune condition are unidentifiable, it may occur due to factors like age (more common in middle-aged people or the elderly), gender (more prevalent in females), genetics/heredity, infections of the gut or mouth, stress, smoking, etc. RA develops gradually and can affect any region of the body, but it usually occurs in - the hands, fingers,
What Happens if Chronic Pain is Left Untreated?
We all experience occasional pain at some point, owing to a number of factors like - occupation, improper postures, injuries, and so on. Even though we continue to cope with various pain issues and live normally, it not always possible to deal with all of them on our own; especially those that hamper our ability to perform basic physical movements such as walking, standing, running, etc. If you’re experiencing persistent pain in your body, and face difficulties in doing your everyday tasks, this could be an indication of a chronic pain condition. It is different from the usual and temporary type
Spinal Cord Stimulator: What You Need to Know
If the chronic pain in your back (or neck) prompted you to search online for a suitable treatment, you might have come across results for a Spinal Cord Stimulator. It’s important to know if it may be suited for your condition. To help you with this, we’ve listed everything you should know about Spinal Cord Stimulation. Let’s first begin with the basic understanding of what it is and how it works. A spinal cord stimulator (also known as SCS) is a remotely controlled device that treats or manages different types of chronic pain by sending a low-level electrical current to the
7 Signs It’s Time to See A Neurologist
It’s not surprising to see how some severe disorders like prolonged headaches, vision problems, memory issues, or recurrent pain in different parts of the body, are mistaken by general physicians for common illnesses. Many patients then undergo long medication courses to see no improvement or, sometimes, even worsening of these conditions which impact their everyday activities. When these problems are related to the nervous system processes (the peripheral and central nervous system, spinal cord, and brain); a neurologist must be your go-to physician. Neurologists use non-surgical methods such as medications, nerve blocks, and physical therapy. They are also experts at determining
Dealing With Endometriosis Pain Is Challenging–But There’s Hope!
By Amanda Trout, M.D. Endometriosis is a disease where tissue that usually grows in the uterus during the menstrual cycle is found outside the uterus. It can cause extreme pain and compound with existing menstrual cramp pain. It’s also a common painful condition, affecting as many as 1 in 10 women during their chilbearing years. Most of the abnormal tissue growth occurs in the abdomen, but it could be anywhere in the body. It grows in time with the menstrual cycle and the abnormal tissue growth can cause inflammation and pain wherever it is located. This can cause mild to severe pain
Burning, Achy Leg Pain: Symptoms of Sciatica and How To Get Relief
By Adam Spjute, M.D. Sciatica is a condition where pain radiates from your buttocks and lower back, down your legs, following the same path as the sciatic nerve. However, sciatica is a bit of a misnomer. Most sciatica pain has nothing to do with the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is most commonly caused by issues above the sciatic nerve, in the lumbar spine. These spinal issues can cause pain that mirrors the path of the sciatic nerve. There are many options for sciatica pain relief, ranging from physical therapy to medication to surgical intervention. However, the appropriate treatment is specific to the cause
What’s the Difference Between Orthopedics and Rheumatology?
Approximately 1 out of every 4 adult Americans experience joint pain and stiffness caused by conditions such as arthritis or gout [1]. According to recent research, an estimated 24% of American adults (approximately 58.5 million people) have been diagnosed with gout, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, general arthritis, or fibromyalgia [2]. When suffering from persistent, acute, or chronic pain, knowing whom to consult for the right treatment is a crucial first step. Both orthopedics and rheumatology specialists can provide effective management and treatment of these conditions. However, while one treats them with surgical options, the other explores medical and non-surgical treatment options to
You Might Be Using the Wrong Approach When Treating Pain at Home! Try Cold Therapy Instead
By Advanced Pain Care Cold therapy, or cryotherapy, is a healing technique that exposes parts of the body or the whole body to controlled periods of extremely cold temperatures. Cold therapy can be used for a localized, smaller area like a joint or muscle, or larger swaths of the body. It can also range from a simple ice pack to much more advanced techniques like nitrogen chambers. Cold temperatures decrease blood flow to the area being treated for a short period, which can aid in reducing swelling, inflammation, and even nerve activity. In turn, this will reduce pain around the muscles, joints,