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Spinal stenosis can cause pain, numbness and tingling from the low back down the leg, making walking difficult. It often can be treated without surgery, but sometimes surgery is the best option to restore quality of life. “If you know you need surgery, don’t put it off,” advises Michael Steinmetz, MD, Chairman of the Department […]

Starting at around age 30, the density of bones starts to decline. For women, the process speeds up at the time of menopause. Bones that become too weak can more easily break from a fall or other trauma. Keeping bones as strong as possible requires adequate calcium, vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise. Bone is dynamic […]

Chronic pain from musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and others, can be debilitating. Getting relief is rarely simple, and it usually requires a combination of approaches. This may include both nondrug interventions and pain medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often a first choice for pain medications. But they have limitations. Potential side effects […]

If you have stiff, painful arthritic joints, you may be inclined to hold them still because it hurts to move. But movement and exercise are good for joints. When it gets difficult to motivate yourself to exercise, Cleveland Clinic physical therapist assistant Theresa Sambor, PTA, suggests doing it in water. Exercising in a warm pool […]

You may have heard about professional athletes sidelined because of a torn meniscus. For a teenager or young adult, a tear in this piece of cartilage in the knee joint is not normal. It often occurs from a sudden twisting motion or a hard landing. As we get older, tears in the menisci become far […]

Joint pain in the hand can make even the simplest tasks challenging. Using utensils, writing with a pen, swinging a golf club, crocheting and many other tasks become difficult. Most of these limitations can be overcome with some strategies and helpful gadgets. First, learn the underlying cause of the problem, which should be diagnosed by a […]

When your knee or hip hurts, it seems logical to see a doctor who specializes in knee or hip problems. It might surprise you to be sent from this specialist to a spine doctor. Hip and knee pain can sometimes stem from a problem higher up in the body. Spine disorders that can send pain […]

Return to Function Can Take Two Years After Hip Fracture A hip fracture in an older adult usually requires surgery. Recovery can take a long time, and it can have a major impact on function. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (January 2021) examined the effects of hip […]

Q Why are my joints stiff in the morning, and what can I do about it? A Waking up with a stiff back, neck, knees or other joints is a common complaint, and there is usually a cause, such as muscle tightness. Weak muscles and stiff tendons can tighten during long periods of rest, such […]