Common Conditions

Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a painful condition that causes stiffness, locking or catching when you bend or straighten your finger. Your flexor tendons run from your forearm muscles to your finger bones, attached by a series of bands. When one of the bands becomes inflamed, it results in trigger finger. Trigger finger is most common in the ring finger and thumb.

Common Causes

• Preexisting conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
• Forceful use of finger, especially pinching or grasping

Common Symptoms

• Tender lump on the palm side of the hand
• Catching, popping or locking sensation with movement
• Pain when bending or straightening the finger

Also called ulnar nerve entrapment, cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve (“funny bone” nerve) becomes compressed. Your ulnar nerve travels from your neck into your hand. In cubital tunnel syndrome, the nerve is compressed at the elbow. Because it’s so close to the surface at your elbow, it’s prone to compression.

Common Causes

• Keeping your elbow bent for long period of time
• Leaning on your elbow for long period of time
• Fluid buildup around the elbow

Common Symptoms

• Numbness or tingling in the ring and pinkie fingers
• Weak grip and altered finger coordination
• Feeling of “pins and needles” in ring and pinkie fingers

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, usually from the gradual loss of protective cartilage. Without a layer of cartilage, bone rubs on bone at the site of the joint. Because your wrist is made up of so many small joints, it’s prone to arthritis. Types of arthritis that commonly affect the wrist are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and posttraumatic arthritis.

Common Causes

• Wear and tear
• Kienbock’s disease
• Injury, such as broken wrist or ligament tear

Common Symptoms

• Pain and swelling of the joint
• Stiffness and reduced range of motion
• Weakness in the joint

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, usually from the gradual loss of protective cartilage. Without a layer of cartilage, bone rubs on bone at the site of the joint. Osteoarthritis of the thumb is common, particularly at the base. It may affect thumb motion and strength, and is most common in women over the age of 40.

Common Causes

• Wear and tear
• Injury, such as broken wrist or ligament tear

Common Symptoms

• Pain or weakness with gripping or pinching
• Stiffness and reduced range of motion
• Enlarged appearance of the joint

Mallet finger, sometimes known as “baseball finger,” is a condition in which a finger is forced to bend further than it’s supposed to, injuring the thin extensor tendon at the tip of the finger. Boutonniere deformity is a similar condition that impacts the middle joint of a finger. With both conditions, an inability to completely straighten the finger is a telltale symptom.

Learn more about Mallet Finger  |  Learn More about Boutonniere Deformity

Common Causes

• Forceful blow to the top of the finger
• Cut to the top of the finger that severs the tendon
• Arthritis (Boutonniere Deformity)

Common Symptoms

• Pain and swelling at point of impact or injury
• Inability to completely straighten finger without aid

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common hand conditions. It occurs when the median nerve – a nerve that runs through the hand, all the way up to the neck – is compressed as it runs through the wrist. Your carpal tunnel is the passageway through your wrist for nerves and tendons. When it becomes narrowed, the median nerve is compressed and you experience carpal tunnel syndrome.

Common Causes

• Repetitive motion in the hand and wrist over time
• Prolonged extreme flexion or extension of the hand
• Heredity or preexisting conditions, such as diabetes

Common Symptoms

• Numbness, tingling, burning and pain in the thumb and fingers
• Occasional shock-like sensations in the thumb through ring fingers
• Weakness and clumsiness of the hand

There are a wide array of conditions that fall under the label congenital hand difference. Congenital means it’s present at birth and develops in utero. Their exact cause is often unknown, but with physical and occupational therapy and surgical treatment options, many children with these conditions are able to adapt and function well.

Common Types

• Syndactyly several fingers are fused together by tissue or bone
• Polydactyly the presence of extra fingers
• Limb Deficiencies hands or arms are missing or smaller than typical
• Amniotic Band Syndrome strands of the amniotic membrane restrict blood flow to extremities in utero

The term “tendinosis” means the swelling of a tendon. De Quervain’s tendinosis is the swelling of the tendons around the base of the thumb, or the tendon sheath that surrounds them. These tendons enable you to form a fist, grasp, grip, and turn the wrist. Constriction in this area leads to friction and pain when performing those movements.

Common Causes

• Overuse
• Pregnancy
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Common Symptoms

• Pain and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist, gradual or sudden
• Pain that may travel up the forearm
• Catching or snapping sensation upon movement

The most common wrist fracture is a distal radius fracture. Your radius is the larger of your two forearm bones, and the distal end is nearer your wrist than your elbow. There are many ways a radius can break, but the most common occurs about 1 inch from the end of the bone. The type and severity of the break will determine the treatment course.

Common Causes

• Falling on an outstretched arm
• Motor vehicle accident or other trauma
• Osteoporosis

Common Symptoms

• Immediate pain
• Bruising, swelling, tenderness
• Visible deformity

Dupuytren’s disease affects the fascia of your palm and fingers. Fascia is a layer of tissue just that anchors and stabilizes the skin. Dupuytren’s disease causes the fascia to thicken and tighten over time, eventually impacting hand function and pulling the fingers inward. Early treatment is critical to reversing the damage.

Common Causes

• Causes are largely unknown
• Genetics/Heredity

Common Symptoms

• Immediate pain
• Bruising, swelling, tenderness
• Visible deformity

Your scaphoid is one of eight small bones in your wrist called carpals. It sits just above the radius, and helps with motion and stability of the wrist. Because of its location under the thumb on the edge of your wrist, it’s prone to fractures. Because of its small size, scaphoid fractures may go undetected for a period of time, or ignored, hoping the pain will go away on its own.

Common Causes

• Falling onto an outstretched hand
• Motor vehicle collisions
• Direct blow to the area

Common Symptoms

• Pain and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist
• Pain that does go away within a day
• Pain that worsens with pinching or grasping motion

All Other Conditions

Looking for information on a condition we don’t have listed? Whether you have one of the more common conditions we treat or something diagnosed less frequently, we want to make sure you’re getting accurate information from a source we trust. Learn more about additional conditions and gain access to reliable resources from OrthoInfo.org, operated by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

There are many forms of arthritis, but the broad definition is inflammation of a joint. As cartilage wears away or is damaged, the bones lose their protective cushion. This causes friction and rubbing, leading to inflammation, pain and stiffness in the joint. Because your feet and ankles bear weight and have many small bones and joints, arthritis is common in these areas.

Common Causes

• Wear and tear to cartilage over time
• Injury to the joint or cartilage
• Autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis

Common Symptoms

• Joint pain that increases with motion, or after rest
• Joint swelling, warmth and redness
• Difficulty walking due to pain and stiffness

Your achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscles to your heel bone (calcaneus), is the largest tendon in the body. It’s used with every step you take, so even though it’s very tough, it’s also prone to inflammation. Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of the achilles tendon. There are several presentations of achilles tendinitis, but it’s typically an overuse condition, and the main symptoms are consistent.

Common Causes

• Sudden increase in intensity of exercise
• Tight or tense calf muscles
• Bone spur(s) on the heel

Common Symptoms

• Pain and stiffness along the back of the heel
• Severe pain after exercising
• Swelling or thickening of the tendon

Your achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscles to your heel bone (calcaneus), is the largest tendon in the body. Because it’s used with every step, jump, and foot movement you make, it’s prone to injury. A rupture occurs when the tendon fibers tear or separate, often in the center or at the heel bone. Achilles tendon injuries are most common in those ages 30-50, and are typically sports related.

Common Causes

• Sudden increase in intensity of exercise
• Sudden stress on the tendon, i.e. stepping in a hole
• Sudden starts and stops when running

Common Symptoms

• Severe pain and swelling near the heel
• Inability to stand on your toes or “push off” when walking
• Popping or snapping sound upon injury

Adult acquired flatfoot is both very common, and caused by a wide range of conditions. Broadly, this condition is the collapse of the arch in the foot. Certain injuries, tendon inflammation, arthritis, and other diseases can result in adult acquired flatfoot. There are many treatment options available, including a variety of non-surgical treatments.

Common Causes

• Damage to the posterior tibial tendon
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Diabetic collapse

Common Symptoms

• Pain and swelling along the arch of the foot
• Pain on the outside of the ankle
• Pain that worsens with activity

A sprained ankle is extremely common in people of all ages. While they often heal with home treatments, an untreated or severe sprain can permanently weaken the ankle ligaments. Sprains can range from minor overstretching to a complete tear of a ligament. Most of the time, a sprain involves the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle. Severe sprains often present similarly to fractures.

Common Causes

• Walking on an uneven surface
• Sudden rolling or twisting of the ankle
• Falling down

Common Symptoms

• Swelling, bruising and tenderness
• Ankle instability, inability to bear weight
• Popping sensation, if tearing occurs

A bunion, also called hallux valgus, is a painful bony bump that develops at the big toe joint, on the inside of the foot. They develop over time if the big toe is forced to lean toward the second toe, eventually causing misalignment of the joint. This enlarged joint often becomes inflamed and painful. Untreated, bunions may continue progressing over time, causing further damage to the bone structure. 

Common Causes

• Poorly fitting shoes, especially pointed toes
• Heredity
• Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis

Common Symptoms

• Pain, tenderness and redness
• Callus or corn formed on the bump
• Stiffness in the big toe

A claw toe is a toe that has an abnormal bend, resulting in the toe digging down into the sole of your shoes or the ground. This often creates painful calluses. Without treatment, claw toes worsen over time, and can lead to permanent deformity. At first, claw toes remain flexible, but may harden as the condition progresses.

Learn more at orthoinfo.aaos.org

Common Causes

• Poorly fitting shoes
• Nerve damage from diabetes, alcoholism

Common Symptoms

• Upward extension from the ball of the foot
• Downward extension at the middle joint of the toe
• Corns or calluses on or around the toe

A hammer toe is a toe that is bent at the middle joint, causing it to resemble a hammer. Hammer toes may occur in the third, fourth or fifth toe. Because of the abnormal stress on the tip on the toe, painful calluses or corns may form on the toe. Early intervention of a hammer toe is critical to avoid surgery.

Common Causes

• Muscle imbalance
• Poorly fitting shoes, especially pointed toes & high heels

Common Symptoms

• Calluses or corns on or around the toe
• Pain in the toe
• Difficulty finding comfortable shoes

For individuals with diabetes, foot care is a significant concern due to nerve damage and poor circulation. Diabetic foot, or Charcot arthropathy, is a serious complication of diabetes. Poor circulation often disintegrates the bone, and nerve damage results in injuries or wounds going unnoticed. Small infections may become serious in a few days, and may permanently deform the foot.

Common Causes

• Diabetes
• Nerve damage
• Poor circulation

Common Symptoms

• Swelling of the foot
• Redness of the foot
• Bone deformity

Chronic ankle instability, or chronic lateral ankle pain, often develops after a serious ankle injury. Unfortunately, once an ligament or tendon has been injured, it’s likely to be reinjured. Chronic ankle instability causes recurring pain on the outside of the ankle, and serious cases may result in difficult walking or a feeling of stability while walking.

Common Causes

• Previous ankle sprain or tendon damage
• Arthritis of the ankle
• Scar tissue on the joint following an injury

Common Symptoms

• Pain on the outside of the ankle
• Feeling of instability of the ankle joint
• Repeated ankle sprains or injuries

Recurring pain at the bottom of the heel is likely caused by plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a ligament that runs from your heel to the ball of your foot. When it becomes inflamed due to overstress or tearing, you experience pain and stiffness around the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis is very common, particularly in athletes or active adults.

Common Causes

• Tight calf muscles
• Very high arch of the foot
• Repetitive impact activity i.e. running

Common Symptoms

• Pain on the bottom of the foot, near the heel
• Pain that is worse after rest
• Pain that is worse after (not during) exercise

All Other Conditions

Looking for information on a condition we don’t have listed? Whether you have one of the more common conditions we treat or something diagnosed less frequently, we want to make sure you’re getting accurate information from a source we trust. Learn more about additional conditions and gain access to reliable resources from OrthoInfo.org, operated by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Osteonecrosis, sometimes called Avascular Necrosis or aseptic necrosis, can occur in any bone but is most common in the hip. It occurs as a result of disrupted blood flow to the femoral head, leading to gradual bone death. Without treatment, the femoral head can collapse. It is more common in men than women, and more common in those between the ages of 40 and 65. If suspected, early treatment is critical.

Common Causes

• *Causes are not always know, but there are known risk factors, including:
• Injury to the hip, such as fracture or dislocation
• Excessive alcohol use
• Long-term corticosteroid use

Common Symptoms

• Hip pain, may be dull or throbbing
• Difficulty bearing weight
• Pain in the groin or buttocks area

Bursitis is inflammation of one or more bursae, which are small, jelly-like sacs that act as cushions for your bones. You have two major bursae in your hip area – one on the bony point of the hip at the top of your femur (greater trochanter), and one on the inside of the hip (iliopsoas). When a bursa becomes inflamed, you may experience pain around that site.

Common Causes

• Repetitive stress/overuse. Running, cycling, or standing for long periods of time.
• Leg-length inequality. If one leg is shorter than the other, altered gait may inflame the bursa.
• Hip Injury. An injury, fall or bump to the bony point of your hip may cause inflammation.

Common Symptoms

• Localized acute pain at the point of the hip is often an early symptom.
• Ache around a larger area of the hip as the bursitis persists.
• Pain that worsens when lying on the hip, after prolonged use, or after sitting.

Your femur is your thigh bone, and your acetabulum is your hip socket. Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a bone overgrowth that develops in the area where the femoral head meets the acetabulum. This extra bone impacts movement within the hip joint, and can lead to additional injuries of the tissue and wear on the joints over time. FAI can occur on the femur, the acetabulum, or both.

Common Causes

• Abnormal hip bone formation during childhood

Common Symptoms

• Pain and stiffness, often in the groin area
• Sharp pain caused by turning, twisting or squatting
• Limping

The term hip fracture covers several types of fractures of the upper femur. Acetabular fractures (fractures of the joint socket) are not considered hip fractures. Fractures range in severity, but all suspected hip fractures should be treated immediately. Hip fractures are more common in people with osteoporosis, cancer or stress injuries.

Common Causes

• Falls from standing height
• Direct blows to the side of the hip
• Preexisting conditions, such as osteoporosis

Common Symptoms

• Pain over the outer thigh or in the groin
• Significant pain with hip flexion or rotation
• Visible shortening of the broken leg

The labrum is the strong connective tissue that covers a socket joint. In your hip, this socket is called the acetabulum. A tear to the tissue covering and protecting the acetabulum is called a labral tear. The labrum allows for smooth movement of the femoral head within the socket, so a tear to the tissue can limit movement and result in significant pain.

Common Causes

• Pre existing structural conditions
• Hip trauma, both repetitive and high impact
• Degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis

Common Symptoms

• Hip pain or stiffness in the groin or buttocks
• Clicking or locking upon movement
• Feeling of instability in the hip joint

Osteoarthritis is inflammation that results from the wearing away of cartilage over time. That cartilage protects your joints and creates a smooth surface. As the cartilage wears away, the surface between the joint loses its cushion and lubrication, causing bone-on-bone friction and often resulting in bone spurs. Hip arthritis most commonly occurs in people older than 50, and develops slowly.

Common Causes

• Increasing age
• Previous hip injury
• Excess weight

Common Symptoms

• Pain around the hip joint that worsens over time
• Stiffness, often worse in the morning or in rainy weather
• Decreased range of motion

For athletes and people who live active lives, muscle strains are very common injuries. A strain is defined as a pull or tear – both can be very painful. Your thigh has three muscle groups: hamstrings in the back, quadriceps in the front, and adductors on the inside. A groin pull is an injury to one of the adductor muscles. Proper rehabilitation after an injury is critical to prevent future injury.

Common Causes

• Improper stretching or condition during exercise
• Stretching a muscle beyond its limits
• Sudden overextension or stress on the muscle

Common Symptoms

• Popping or snapping sensation upon injury
• Sudden, severe pain
• Swelling and bruising on thigh, may extend into calf

Stress fractures are among the most common overuse injuries among athletes. A stress fracture occurs when muscles become too fatigued to continue absorbing shock, and the stress is instead absorbed by the bone, causing tiny cracks. Stress fractures are most common in weight-bearing bones, and require rest in order to heal.

Common Causes

• Increasing activity or training intensity too quickly
• Change in surface of impact (clay court to rubber court)
• Improper equipment i.e. shoes

Common Symptoms

• Pain with activity
• Pain that subsides with rest

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the body produces a chemical substance that attacks the surfaces of joints. It can affect any joint in the body, but is common in the hips. It typically occurs symmetrically in the body, and causes swelling of the joint linings. Onset is most commonly in middle age. 

Common Causes

• Genetics. It’s not inherited, but there is genetic predisposition

Common Symptoms

• Swelling, pain and stiffness in joint, even at rest
• Fever, loss of appetite, decreased energy
• Visible deformities or lumps around the joint

All Other Conditions

Looking for information on a condition we don’t have listed? Whether you have one of the more common conditions we treat or something diagnosed less frequently, we want to make sure you’re getting accurate information from a source we trust. Learn more about additional conditions and gain access to reliable resources from OrthoInfo.org, operated by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

A rotator cuff injury is one of the most common causes of pain in adults. Your rotator cuff is made up of tendons that join shoulder muscles and your humerus to keep your arm in the shoulder socket and assists with lifting and rotating your arm. When a tendon frays or pulls away from the bone, either partially or completely, this is called a rotator cuff tear. 

Common Causes

• Acute tear. Falling on an outstretched arm, jerking motion while lifting, other shoulder trauma.
• Degenerative tear. Occurs over time, more common in dominant arm, often with repetitive movement.

Common Symptoms

• Pain at rest. Often, while lying on the affected shoulder.
• Pain or weakness while lifting your arms.
• “Crackling” sensation in certain positions.

Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. Shoulder arthritis is very common. Your shoulder actually contains two joints – the AC(acromioclavicular) joint, where your collarbone meets the tip of your shoulder blade, and your glenohumeral joint, where the humerus fits into the scapula. You may develop arthritis in either shoulder joint.

Common Causes

• Wear and tear. Osteoarthritis develops over time.
• Untreated rotator cuff tears, which stress the joint
• Rheumatoid arthritis, which likely impacts both shoulders

Common Symptoms

• Pain, aggravated upon activity and worsening over time
• Limited range of motion, such as lifting arms above head
• Nighttime pain, as disease progresses

Also called adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is caused by thickening and stiffening of the shoulder capsule. Your shoulder capsule is made up of strong connective tissue, which surrounds the joint and rotator cuffs and contains lubricating synovial fluid. Thickening of the capsule causes bands of tissue to develop and restricts synovial fluid. Frozen shoulder often develops slowly, so prompt treatment is critical.

Common Causes

• Causes are not well understood.
• Diabetes, thyroid conditions, cardiac disease may increase risk.
• Immobilization following surgery or fracture

Common Symptoms

• Dull or aching pain
• Stiffness in the joint
• Pain that worsens with movement

Your humerus is your upper arm bone, from your elbow to your shoulder. Breaks in the upper part of your humerus, called proximal humerus fractures, are fairly common. Fractures may be stable, meaning the bones are still aligned, or unstable, which require realignment. Humerus fractures are more common in older adults or those with osteoporosis.

Common Causes

• Direct blow to the upper arm
• Falling from a standing height
• Motor vehicle accidents

Common Symptoms

• Severe swelling of the shoulder
• Very limited range of motion
• Severe pain

The broad range of motion offered by your shoulder makes it susceptible to dislocation. Dislocations may be partial (subluxation) or complete. A complete dislocation means that the head of your humerus has slipped completely out of the socket. Shoulder dislocations are likely to cause additional ligament or tendon damage, and can occur in any direction.

Common Causes

• Pulling or twisting of the arm with great force
• Falling on an outstretched arm
• Direct blow to the shoulder

Common Symptoms

• Swelling and bruising of the joint
• Visible deformity of the joint
• Weakness and numbness of the arm and shoulder

Your shoulder has incredible range of motion, however this makes it susceptible to repeat injuries such as dislocation. Once your shoulder has been dislocated, sometimes the ligaments and tendons loosen and it becomes unstable. Chronic shoulder instability means that the tissues designed to keep your shoulder snugly in place are compromised, and you are prone to dislocation.

Common Causes

• Sever or traumatic shoulder dislocation
• Repetitive strain (i.e. swimming, tennis, volleyball)
• Naturally occurring (people with loose ligaments)

Common Symptoms

• Pain as a result of injury
• Repeated dislocations
• Repeated sensation of shoulder “giving out”

Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tendinitis are common sources of shoulder pain. Your rotator cuff attaches your humerus to your shoulder blade. When it becomes irritated or damaged, this is called tendinitis. Shoulder impingement occurs when there is friction within your shoulder joint due to internal inflammation. Early symptoms are often mild, but progress with time.

Common Causes

• Sports - repetitive lifting or overhead motion
• Occupational - repetitive lifting or overhead motion
• Minor injury

Common Symptoms

• Swelling and tenderness in the front of the shoulder
• Pain and stiffness when lifting arm
• Difficulty moving arm behind the back

Your clavicle, also known as your collarbone, connects your arm to your ribcage. Clavicle fractures are common at all ages, and typically occur in the middle of the bone versus the connection points. The severity of clavicle fractures can vary widely, from slight cracks to comminuted fractures (break into many pieces). Healing of clavicle fractures often takes longer than other fractures.

Common Causes

• Direct blow to the shoulder or bone
• Falling onto the shoulder
• Motor vehicle accidents

Common Symptoms

• Sagging of the shoulder
• Inability to lift arm due to pain
• Visible deformity/bump

This type of tear, also called a glenoid labrum tear, was virtually undiagnosable until recently. Your shoulder socket is called the glenoid, and the labrum is the soft fibrous tissue rim that surrounds it. The labrum deepens the socket, cushion the head of the humerus, and helps stabilize the joint. A glenoid labrum tear is an injury to that soft tissue rim. 

Common Causes

• Falling on an outstretched arm
• Violent overhead reach
• Sudden pull, i.e. lifting a heavy object

Common Symptoms

• Shoulder dislocation
• Pain with overhead motion
• Catching, locking, popping or grinding

SLAP stands from Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior. Your labrum is the ring of strong, fibrous tissue that surrounds your shoulder socket (glenoid). It helps deepen and stabilize the joint. A SLAP tear is a tear to the top part of the labrum, where the biceps tendon attaches, to both the front and back. SLAP tears may be acute or as a result of wear and tear.

Common Causes

• Forceful pulling of the arm, such as catching heavy objects
• Falling onto an outstretched arm
• Rapid or forceful arm movement above shoulder level

Common Symptoms

• Pain with movement or lifting
• Decreased strength and range of motion
• Catching, locking, popping or grinding

Your forearm consists of both the radius and the ulna. Often, a fracture in your forearm means a break to both bones because of the force required. A break of only the ulna may occur with a direct blow to the outside of the arm. Fractures often occur at any point in these bones, and can vary widely in severity.

Common Causes

• Direct blow to the forearm
• Falling onto an outstretched arm
• Motor vehicle accidents

Common Symptoms

• Immediate pain and swelling
• Visible deformity
• Inability to rotate arm

Your biceps tendons attach your biceps muscle to your elbow and to your shoulder. A biceps tendon tear at the elbow is less common, but a serious injury. Biceps tendon tears do not repair themselves, making surgery often necessary to regain full arm function. Tears may be partial or complete, but more frequently complete, meaning the tendon has completely detached from the bone.

Common Causes

• Sudden injury
• Elbow forcibly straightened against resistance
• Elbow forcibly bent against a heavy load

Common Symptoms

• “Pop” and severe pain at elbow upon rupture
• Weakness in bending elbow or twisting forearm
• Bulge in muscle; gap at front of elbow

A fracture of your distal humerus is a break at the lower end of your humerus bone, nearer your elbow than your shoulder. Distal humerus fractures are often quite painful, but include a broad range of severities. They often require surgical repairs, as a distal humerus break impacts the range of motion of your forearm and elbow. They are more common in people with osteoporosis.

Common Causes

• Falling directly on the elbow
• Direct blow to the elbow
• Falling onto an outstretched arm with locked elbow

Common Symptoms

• Inability to move elbow
• Swelling, bruising, stiffness at the site
• Feeling of elbow joint instability

A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions a bone. They help allow for free movement of joints. Your olecranon bursa is located on the boney tip of your elbow, and is typically flat, filled with only a small amount of lubricating liquid. When it becomes inflamed, it fills with more liquid and causes pain and irritation at the site, potentially limiting range of motion.

Learn more at orthoinfo.aaos.org

Common Causes

• Trauma to the tip of the elbow
• Prolonged pressure on the elbow
• Rheumatoid arthritis and gout

Common Symptoms

• Swelling of the elbow
• Pain that worsens with pressure
• Warm, red skin at the elbow

Your olecranon is the bony tip of your elbow, and the upper part of your ulna. The olecranon is the “hinge” of the elbow. Without much padding or protection, your olecranon is susceptible to fractures from a direct blow. An olecranon fracture can be very painful, with varying degrees of severity. Elbow fractures are fairly common, and can be isolated injuries or part of a more complex injury.

Common Causes

• Falling directly on the elbow
• Direct blow to the outside of the elbow
• Falling on an outstretched arm with a locked elbow

Common Symptoms

• Sudden, intense pain
• Numbness in the fingers
• Pain with elbow movement, tenderness to touch

Your elbow is a complex joint, as both a hinge and ball joint. An elbow dislocation can occur in either of these locations. A dislocation is the separation of the joint surfaces, either partial (subluxation) or complete. Elbow dislocations are not very common, and are typically the result of a trauma.

Common Causes

• Falling on an outstretched hand
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Natural anatomy that increases the risk

Common Symptoms

• Severe pain (complete)
• Visible deformity (complete)
• Extremely limited motion (complete)

Your flexor tendons are located in your forearm and are responsible for moving your fingers. They stretch from your arm muscles and attach to your finger bones. An injury to these tendons can vary from tendinitis, causing pain and inflammation, to torn tendons, making it impossible to bend your finger. These tendons are very close to the skin, making them prone to injury.

Common Causes

• Deep cuts on the forearm, hand or fingers
• Sharp pulling or jerking of a finger
• Preexisting conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis

Common Symptoms

• Pain upon bending your finger
• Inability to bend or move finger joint(s)
• Numbness in the fingers

Elbow overuse injuries are particularly common among throwing athletes, such as pitchers, or anyone who throws overhead repetitively. Injuries to the Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) as well as Ulnar Neuritis are among the most common. Your UCL is the ligament on the inside of the elbow that stabilizes the joint while throwing. The ulnar nerve runs behind the elbow, and is stretched repeatedly when throwing.

Common Causes

• Overuse, repetitive stress
• Throwing while fatigued
• High velocity throwing

Common Symptoms

• Pain during or after throwing
• Limited strength/velocity of throws
• Numbness & tingling in the arm or hand (ulnar neuritis)

Lateral Epicondylitis, commonly called Tennis Elbow, is an overuse condition that involves the tendons that join outside of the elbow to the forearm muscles. Your epicondyles are bony bumps at the bottom of your humerus, the attachment point for your forearm tendons, particularly your extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). When it becomes inflamed or damaged, this is called lateral epicondylitis.

Common Causes

• Overuse, repetitive stress from sports
• Occupational overuse, i.e. painting, plumbing, carpentry
• Improper technique in racquet sports

Common Symptoms

• Gradually developing pain
• Pain or burning on the outer elbow
• Weak grip strength

All Other Conditions

Looking for information on a condition we don’t have listed? Whether you have one of the more common conditions we treat or something diagnosed less frequently, we want to make sure you’re getting accurate information from a source we trust. Learn more about additional conditions and gain access to reliable resources from OrthoInfo.org, operated by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

For young athletes or active children, pain in the front and center of the knee, typically under the kneecap, is common. This type of knee pain is more common in girls, but can occur in any young body. This condition is typically neither serious nor permanent, and can be treated with rest, strength and conditioning exercises, and over-the-counter medications. If the pain interferes with activity, it’s time to see a doctor.

Common Causes

• Tight or unbalanced quadriceps & hamstrings
• Misalignment of the legs
• Overuse, overtraining, or improper/changes to footwear

Common Symptoms

• Popping or crackling in knee movement after prolonged sitting
• Pain at night
• Pain related to prolonged physical activity

A sprain or tear of the ACL is one of the most common knee injuries among athletes, particularly those involved in high-demand sports like basketball, soccer and football. Your ACL runs down the middle of your knee, between your femur and tibia, and provides critical stability to your knee joint. Grade 1 sprains are mild, while Grade 3 sprains are complete tears of the ligament.

Common Causes

• Sudden change of direction
• Sudden stops
• Improper landing after a jump

Common Symptoms

• Sudden “popping” noise upon injury
• Pain and swelling within 24 hours
• Loss of range of motion; discomfort while walking

Your articular cartilage is the smooth tissue that covers your bones at the site of a joint. It provides a cushion as well as a frictionless surface. Cartilage can be injured through wear and tear over time, or from an injury. It often accompanies other knee joint injuries, such as meniscus and ligament tears. Left untreated, cartilage injuries can lead to arthritis of the knee.

Common Causes

• Wear and tear, or stress on the joint over time.
• Inactivity, joints must move to stay healthy
• Direct blow to the knee

Common Symptoms

• Joint pain, upon rest or weight bearing
• Swelling of knee joint, may be delayed
• Stiffness, clicking, grinding or locking of the knee

Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. While it can affect any joint, it is particularly common in knees. Osteoarthritis is degenerative wear and tear of the cartilage, resulting in bone rubbing on bone. It occurs most often in those aged 50 and older. Osteoarthritis can be treated with a number of different non-surgical or surgical therapies and remedies.

Common Causes

• Age. Osteoarthritis is more common in those over 50
• Weight. More pressure on the joints speeds up wear and tear
• Repetitive Stress, i.e. jobs that require frequent kneeling and squatting

Common Symptoms

• Stiff, swollen knee joint (osteoarthritis may affect 1 or both knees)
• Pain and swelling that worsens after sitting or resting
• Knee that stiffens, locks, buckles or feels weak during movement

Your knee joint has two wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage that act as shock absorbers between your femur and your tibia. These are your menisci. There are several common types of tears, but meniscus tears are common among athletes (although they can happen to anyone). Treatments range from simple at-home therapies, to surgical intervention, depending on the type and severity of the tear.

Common Causes

• Sudden tear, caused by twisting or forceful rotation
• Degenerative tear, caused by weakening over time
• Pivoting, deep squatting, or heavy lifting.

Common Symptoms

• Sudden “pop” upon injury. Many people can still walk with a torn meniscus.
• Stiffness and swelling, decreased range of motion
• Sensation of your knee “giving way”

Injuries to the ligaments in your knee are very common, particularly for athletes. Your MCL and LCL run on either side of your knee joint and connect your femur to your lower leg bones. These ligaments control side-to-side movement and provide stability. Injuries to these ligaments are called “sprains,” and can vary from overstretching (Grade 1) to complete tears (Grade 3).

Common Causes

• Force to the knee from the side, often contact injury
• Direct blow to the outside of the knee
• Direct blow to the inside of the knee

Common Symptoms

• Pain on the outside(s) of your knee (MCL injury)
• Pain on the inside of your knee (LCL injury)
• Feeling of instability of the knee

Your patella, or kneecap, is the small bone that sits at the front of your knee joint. Because it protects the joint, it’s susceptible to fracture if it sustains a direct hit. Fractures can be a simple break, called a stable fracture, in which the pieces stay in place, or a displaced or a displaced fracture, in which the pieces become misaligned as a result of the break.

Common Causes

• Falling directly into your knee
• Sharp blow to the knee
• Sudden force to the knee, such as hitting a vehicle dashboard

Common Symptoms

• Pain, swelling and bruising
• Inability to walk or bear weight
• Inability to straighten or extend knee

A misalignment of the bones in the knee is called a dislocation. Your patella typically sits within a V-shaped notch called your femoral groove. When the patella, or kneecap, slips out of place, it causes pain and instability to the joint.  Dislocations can be partial or complete. Patellar dislocations are more common in children and adolescents, but can happen to anyone.

Common Causes

• Sharp blow or direct force to the knee
• Shallow or uneven femoral groove
• Instability from previous dislocation

Common Symptoms

• Buckling and inability to bear weight
• Sensation of or visible misalignment of kneecap
• Pain that increases with activity

Osteochondritis Dissecans is most common in children and adolescents. It can occur in any joint in the body, though it’s most common in knees, ankles and elbows. OCD is a condition that occurs when a small segment of bone loses blood supply and separates from the surrounding region. This typically causes the cartilage to crack and loosen. In severe cases, that fragment may detach completely.

Common Causes

• Causes of blood supply interruption are relatively unknown
• Repetitive trauma
• Repetitive stress

Common Symptoms

• Pain, swelling and tenderness, increased with activity
• Joint catching or locking (advanced cases)
• Joint weakness or decreased range of motion

All Other Conditions

Looking for information on a condition we don’t have listed? Whether you have one of the more common conditions we treat or something diagnosed less frequently, we want to make sure you’re getting accurate information from a source we trust. Learn more about additional conditions and gain access to reliable resources from OrthoInfo.org, operated by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Your knee joint has two wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage that act as shock absorbers between your femur and your tibia. These are your menisci. There are several common types of tears, but meniscus tears are common among athletes (although they can happen to anyone). Treatments range from simple at-home therapies, to surgical intervention, depending on the type and severity of the tear.

Common Causes

• Sudden tear, caused by twisting or forceful rotation
• Degenerative tear, caused by weakening over time
• Pivoting, deep squatting, or heavy lifting.

Common Symptoms

• Sudden “pop” upon injury. Many people can still walk with a torn meniscus.
• Stiffness and swelling, decreased range of motion
• Sensation of your knee “giving way”

In children and adolescent athletes, knee injuries are common. Your knee is a complex joint, and several tendons, ligaments, and bones are prone to injury. Whether due to overuse, overtraining, improper training, or sudden injury, many young athletes will experience a knee injury during their careers. If pain does not subside after 2-3 days of rest, or the joint cannot bear weight, be sure to see a doctor.

Common Types of Injury

• Pain Syndromes, an overuse injury sometimes called “runner’s knee”
• Ligament and Cartilage Injuries, such as ACL or MCL tears
• Dislocations, partial or complete patellar dislocation
• Fractures (rare)

Common Symptoms

• Inability to bear wear
• Pain that worsens with activity
• Locking, catching, or feeling of instability

Lateral Epicondylitis, commonly called Tennis Elbow, is an overuse condition that involves the tendons that join outside of the elbow to the forearm muscles. Your epicondyles are bony bumps at the bottom of your humerus, the attachment point for your forearm tendons, particularly your extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). When it becomes inflamed or damaged, this is called lateral epicondylitis.

Common Causes

• Overuse, repetitive stress from sports
• Occupational overuse, i.e. painting, plumbing, carpentry
• Improper technique in racquet sports

Common Symptoms

• Gradually developing pain
• Pain or burning on the outer elbow
• Weak grip strength

Mallet finger, sometimes known as “baseball finger,” is a condition in which a finger is forced to bend further than it’s supposed to, injuring the thin extensor tendon at the tip of the finger. Boutonniere deformity is a similar condition that impacts the middle joint of a finger. With both conditions, an inability to completely straighten the finger is a telltale symptom.

Learn more about Mallet Finger  |  Learn More about Boutonniere Deformity

Common Causes

• Forceful blow to the top of the finger
• Cut to the top of the finger that severs the tendon
• Arthritis (Boutonniere Deformity)

Common Symptoms

• Pain and swelling at point of impact or injury
• Inability to completely straighten finger without aid

A sprained ankle is extremely common in people of all ages. While they often heal with home treatments, an untreated or severe sprain can permanently weaken the ankle ligaments. Sprains can range from minor overstretching to a complete tear of a ligament. Most of the time, a sprain involves the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle. Severe sprains often present similarly to fractures.

Common Causes

• Walking on an uneven surface
• Sudden rolling or twisting of the ankle
• Falling down

Common Symptoms

• Swelling, bruising and tenderness
• Ankle instability, inability to bear weight
• Popping sensation, if tearing occurs

Your hands are incredibly complex, with many ligaments, tendons, and joints involved in hand and wrist function. Because of this complexity, sports-related injuries to the hand and/or wrist are quite common. Injuries in athletes may be overuse injuries or traumatic injuries. It’s important that injuries be evaluated and treated properly, as loss of hand function can significantly impact your life.

Common Types of Injury

• Overuse, such as tendon inflammation, nerve injury or compression
• Stress fractures
• Dislocations
• Sprains, strains, tears
• Fractures

Common Symptoms

• Pain, tenderness, swelling that increases with activity
• Limited range of motion, weakness of the wrist or fingers
• Visible deformity

A sprain or tear of the ACL is one of the most common knee injuries among athletes, particularly those involved in high-demand sports like basketball, soccer and football. Your ACL runs down the middle of your knee, between your femur and tibia, and provides critical stability to your knee joint. Grade 1 sprains are mild, while Grade 3 sprains are complete tears of the ligament.

Common Causes

• Sudden change of direction
• Sudden stops
• Improper landing after a jump

Common Symptoms

• Sudden “popping” noise upon injury
• Pain and swelling within 24 hours
• Loss of range of motion; discomfort while walking

A rotator cuff injury is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in adults. Your rotator cuff is made up of tendons that join shoulder muscles and your humerus to keep your arm in the shoulder socket and assists with lifting and rotating your arm. When a tendon frays or pulls away from the bone, either partially or completely, this is called a rotator cuff tear. 

Common Causes

• Acute tear. Falling on an outstretched arm, jerking motion while lifting, other shoulder trauma.
• Degenerative tear. Occurs over time, more common in dominant arm, often with repetitive movement.

Common Symptoms

• Pain at rest. Often, while lying on the affected shoulder.
• Pain or weakness while lifting your arms.
• “Crackling” sensation in certain positions.

Tendons are rope-like connective tissue that connect muscle to bone. Though tendonitis is defined as inflammation of a tendon, that inflammation is typically caused by tendinosis, an overuse condition that wears and frays the tendon fibers. Tendonitis can occur in any tendon in the body, but in athletes there are certain areas more prone to this condition. Rest, ice, and proper training are important to prevent reinjury and allow complete recovery.

Common Areas of Injury

• Patellar tendon (knee)
• Achilles tendon (ankle)
• Rotator cuff tendons (shoulder)
• Lateral epicondylitis (elbow)

Common Symptoms

• Pain and swelling that increases with movement
• Weakness at site of injury

Recurring pain at the bottom of the heel is likely caused by plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a ligament that runs from your heel to the ball of your foot. When it becomes inflamed due to overstress or tearing, you experience pain and stiffness around the bottom of your foot. Plantar fasciitis is very common, particularly in athletes or active adults.

Common Causes

• Tight calf muscles
• Very high arch of the foot
• Repetitive impact activity i.e. running

Common Symptoms

• Pain on the bottom of the foot, near the heel
• Pain that is worse after rest
• Pain that is worse after (not during) exercise

All Other Conditions

Looking for information on a condition we don’t have listed? Whether you have one of the more common conditions we treat or something diagnosed less frequently, we want to make sure you’re getting accurate information from a source we trust. Learn more about additional conditions and gain access to reliable resources from OrthoInfo.org, operated by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Low back pain occurs in the lower portion of the spine. It is typically described as dull and aching rather than burning, stinging, or sharp. This type of pain can be accompanied by mild or severe muscle spasms, limited mobility, aches in the hips and pelvis and/or a shooting sensation down the leg.

Common Causes

• Facet joint mediated pain
• Sciatica or Radiculopathy
• Sacro-illiac joint pain
• Myofacial pain
• Back pain after surgery

Common Symptoms

• Radiating leg pain
• Back pain worse with activity or walking
• Back pain worse with sitting
• Back pain worse with extension

Neck pain is often described as having a stiff or sore neck and shoulders. It is often associated with muscle spasms and difficulty turning the head. Occasionally, neck pain can involve the nerves and is often referred to as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness traveling to the arm or hand.

Common Causes

• Facet joint mediated pain
• Radiculopathy
• Myofacial pain
• Neck pain after surgery

Common Symptoms

• Radiating arm pain
• Neck pain worse with activity
• Neck pain worse with extension