Orthopedics
Orthopedics focuses on diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
- Achilles Tendinopathy — overuse degeneration of the Achilles tendon causing posterior heel pain and stiffness
- ACL Tear (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) — ligament rupture of the knee from pivoting or landing, surgical vs conservative management
- Ankle Sprain — lateral ligament injury, grades I-III, Ottawa Ankle Rules, functional rehab over prolonged rest
- Bunions (Hallux Valgus) — big-toe joint deformity, genetics vs footwear, orthotics, osteotomy surgery
- Bursitis — bursal sac inflammation, trochanteric/subacromial/olecranon types, septic vs non-septic
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — median nerve compression, Phalen's test, nerve conduction, CTR surgery
- Compartment Syndrome — dangerous pressure buildup within a muscle compartment requiring emergency fasciotomy
- Dupuytren's Contracture — fibrotic thickening of the palmar fascia causing progressive finger flexion contracture
- Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) — abnormal hip bone contact causing cartilage damage, pain with flexion, and early arthritis
- Fibromyalgia — chronic widespread pain and central sensitization disorder
- Frozen Shoulder — adhesive capsulitis, the diabetes link, three phases, the slow self-limiting course
- Herniated Disc — spinal disc displacement causing nerve compression and pain
- Hip Fracture — proximal femur fracture, high mortality in elderly, surgical fixation and fall prevention
- Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) — extensor tendon overuse at the lateral elbow causing grip-related pain
- Low Back Pain — #1 cause of disability, mostly non-specific, stay-active treatment, when imaging harms, red flags
- Meniscus Tear — fibrocartilage injury of the knee causing locking, swelling, and joint-line tenderness
- Osteoarthritis — degenerative joint disease with cartilage loss, bony changes, and chronic joint pain
- Osteomyelitis — bone infection by bacteria or fungi, acute vs chronic, hematogenous vs contiguous spread
- Osteonecrosis (Avascular Necrosis) — bone death from disrupted blood supply, commonly affecting the femoral head
- Osteoporosis — low bone density and microarchitecture deterioration increasing fracture risk
- Paget's Disease of Bone — disordered bone remodeling causing enlarged, weakened, and deformed bones
- Plantar Fasciitis — most common heel pain, first-step morning pain, stretching and orthoses, heel-spur myth
- Rotator Cuff Injury — supraspinatus tears, impingement syndrome, conservative PT vs arthroscopic repair
- Rotator Cuff Tear — full or partial tendon rupture of the rotator cuff, often requiring surgical repair
- Sciatica — lumbar radiculopathy, disc herniation, piriformis syndrome, conservative vs surgical
- Scoliosis — lateral spinal curvature, Cobb angle classification, bracing vs surgery, adult degenerative scoliosis
- Septic Arthritis — joint space infection requiring urgent drainage and antibiotics to prevent cartilage destruction
- Spinal Stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal, neurogenic claudication, lumbar vs cervical, laminectomy
- Stress Fracture — repetitive-load microfracture in bone, common in athletes and military recruits
- Tendinitis — inflammation or irritation of a tendon from overuse or injury
All Orthopedics Articles A–Z
Every article in this specialty, listed alphabetically.
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- ACL Tear
- Ankle Sprain
- Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
- Bursitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Compartment Syndrome
- Dupuytren's Contracture
- Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
- Fibromyalgia
- Frozen Shoulder
- Herniated Disc
- Hip Fracture
- Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Low Back Pain
- Meniscus Tear
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteomyelitis
- Osteonecrosis (Avascular Necrosis)
- Osteoporosis
- Paget's Disease of Bone
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Rotator Cuff Injury
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Septic Arthritis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Stress Fracture
- Tendinitis