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Understanding and Treating Joint Pain
Joint pain is a common complaint that can significantly impact your ability to perform daily activities. It can affect any joint in the body but is particularly common in the major joints that bear weight and are used frequently, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Pain can arise from the bones, cartilage, ligaments, or tendons that make up the joint and can be caused by everything from overuse and acute injuries to chronic conditions like arthritis.
At the Shashikanth Orthopedic Hospital, we provide a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose the specific cause of your joint pain and create a personalized therapy plan to restore your mobility and improve your quality of life.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is any discomfort felt in or around the shoulder joint. Your shoulder is the most movable joint in your body, a complex ball-and-socket structure held in place by a group of four muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff. This wide range of motion makes it vulnerable to various injuries and conditions.
What are the Symptoms?
Shoulder pain can feel like a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing sensation. Other common symptoms include:
- Pain when lifting your arm overhead or reaching behind you
- Stiffness or a limited range of motion
- A feeling of weakness in the arm
- A sensation that the shoulder might pop out of its socket
- Popping, catching, or grinding feelings with movement
- Pain at night, especially when lying on the affected side
What Causes It?
The most common causes of shoulder pain stem from overuse, damage, or age-related wear and tear.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: This is the most frequent cause and includes inflammation of the tendons (tendonitis), pinching of the tendons (impingement), or a partial or complete tear of a tendon.
- Bursitis: The bursa, a fluid-filled sac that provides cushioning in the joint, can become inflamed due to repetitive motions.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear) and rheumatoid arthritis can cause the protective cartilage in the joint to break down, leading to pain and stiffness.
- Instability and Dislocation: A traumatic injury can force the “ball” of the upper arm bone out of its socket, damaging the surrounding cartilage (labrum) and ligaments.
- Fractures: A fall or direct blow can cause a crack or break in the collarbone, shoulder blade, or upper arm bone.
How We Diagnose and Treat Your Pain
Diagnosis begins with a physical exam to assess your range of motion, strength, and stability. Imaging tests like X-rays or an MRI may be used to get a detailed view of the bones and soft tissues.
Treatment is tailored to your specific condition and may include:
- Non-Surgical Options: Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen are often the first line of treatment. Physical therapy is crucial for strengthening the shoulder muscles and improving posture.
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: For persistent issues like rotator cuff tears or labral tears, Dr. Shashikanth can perform arthroscopic (“key hole”) surgery to repair the damage through small incisions.
Elbow Pain
Elbow pain is any discomfort in or around the elbow joint, which allows you to bend, straighten, and rotate your arm. Most elbow pain is not serious and is often caused by overuse or repetitive strain on the muscles and tendons.
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What are the Symptoms?
Elbow pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp, shooting pain. You might also experience:
- Pain on the inside or outside of the elbow, which may worsen when bending or straightening the arm
- Tenderness to the touch
- Swelling and redness
- Weakness in your grip or difficulty holding objects
- Numbness or tingling that radiates into the forearm and fingers
What Causes It?
Repetitive strain is the most common culprit behind elbow pain.
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): This is an overuse injury causing pain on the surface of the elbow. It affects the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the bone and is common not just in tennis players, but also in painters, plumbers, and people who use computer mice frequently.
- Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Similar to tennis elbow, this condition causes pain on the inside of the elbow due to repeated stress from activities that involve wrist and finger activities.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa at the bony tip of the elbow, often from repetitive pressure or trauma.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause the elbow joint’s cartilage to wear down, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness.
- Nerve Compression: Nerves can become pinched or trapped in the elbow, causing pain, numbness, and tingling. Cubital tunnel syndrome is a common example.
- Trauma: A direct blow or fall can lead to fractures, dislocations, or sprains.
How We Diagnose and Treat Your Pain
A physical examination helps pinpoint the location of the pain and assess your range of motion. In some cases, imaging tests like an X-ray or an EMG (to check for nerve problems) may be needed.
Our treatment approach focuses on relieving pain and restoring function:
- Non-Surgical Options: The first step is often rest and avoiding activities that cause pain. Ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy exercises are highly effective. A brace or splint may also be recommended to rest the muscles and tendons.
- Injections: For persistent pain, corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can help decrease inflammation and promote healing.
- Surgery: Surgery is rarely needed but may be an option if symptoms do not respond after 6 to 12 months of conservative treatment.
Knee Pain
Knee pain is discomfort felt in or around the knee, the largest and one of the most commonly injured joints in the body. It can be a temporary issue or a chronic problem that requires expert diagnosis and treatment.
What are the Symptoms?
Knee pain can be accompanied by a variety of symptoms:
- Swelling and stiffness
- Redness and warmth to the touch
- A feeling of weakness or instability, as if the knee might “give out”
- Popping, crunching, or grinding noises with movement
- Inability to fully straighten the knee, or a feeling of it locking or catching
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What Causes It?
Knee pain can result from acute injuries, overuse, or underlying medical conditions.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic knee pain, where the cartilage gradually wears away. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation and damage to the knee joint.
- Overuse Injuries: Repetitive activities can lead to conditions like tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon) or bursitis (inflammation of the cushioning sacs).
- Acute Injuries: Common in sports and accidents, these include ligament tears (such as the ACL), meniscus tears (torn cartilage), and fractures.
- Mechanical Problems: Issues like a dislocated kneecap or altered walking patterns due to hip or foot pain can place extra stress on a knee joint.
How We Diagnose and Treat Your Pain
A diagnosis is made through a physical examination and a review of your symptoms and activity level. Imaging tests like X-rays or an MRI are often used to confirm the diagnosis.
Our treatment plans are designed to address the specific cause of your pain:
- Non-Surgical Options: Many knee problems respond well to rest, ice, physical therapy, bracing, and anti-inflammatory medications. Injections of corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can also provide relief.
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: For injuries like meniscus tears or ACL tears, we specialize in Knee Arthroscopy (“key hole surgery”) to repair the damage with minimal incisions and faster recovery.
- Joint Replacement: For severe, end-stage arthritis, we offer both Partial and Total Knee Replacement surgery to eliminate pain and restore function.
Ankle Pain
Ankle pain is any discomfort in the ankle joint, which combines the leg and the foot. The ankle is a complex joint made of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that is strong enough to bear your body weight. Pain can result from injuries, arthritis, and normal wear and tear.
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What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of an ankle injury can vary but often include:
- Pain and tenderness, especially when bearing weight
- Swelling and bruising
- Stiffness and limited range of motion
- A feeling of instability
- A popping sound at the time of injury
What Causes It?
Ankle pain can arise from a wide range of issues, from sudden injuries to long-term conditions.
- Ankle Sprains: This is the most common cause, occurring when ligaments are stretched or torn, often from the ankle twisting inward.
- Fractures: A break in one or more of the ankle bones can cause sudden, sharp pain.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout can all induce pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the ankle joint.
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of a tendon, such as the Achilles tendon, is often caused by overuse and results in pain and swelling.
- Nerve Issues: Conditions like tarsal tunnel syndrome or sciatica can generate pain that is felt in the ankle.
How We Diagnose and Treat Your Pain
Diagnosis involves a physical exam where your doctor will check for tenderness and assess your range of motion. Imaging trials like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans may be used to rule out fractures and get a detailed view of soft tissues.
Treatment relies on the severity of your injury:
- Self-Care: For minor injuries, the R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is effective for the first few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help.
- Immobilization: Your doctor may suggest a brace, splint, or walking boot to stabilize the ankle while it heals.
- Physical Therapy: Exercises to correct range of motion, strength, and stability are crucial for recovery and preventing future sprains.
- Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be needed if the injury doesn’t heal or the ankle remains unstable after extensive non-surgical treatment.
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Shashikanth Orthopedic Hospital
Advanced pain management, sports injury care, and minimally invasive orthopedic surgery in Karimnagar.