With age, stiff joints become a reality for many people. Years of use can take a toll on joints, muscles, and bones, but there are steps you can take to find relief.
Why does joint stiffness occur?
Many people experience stiff joints just after waking up. Lying down for several hours to sleep reduces fluid amounts, making moving joints more difficult first thing in the morning.
Joint stiffness may be mild and only impact your mobility for a brief period each morning or after sitting for extended periods of time. The stiffness can also be more severe and impact your mobility.
In some cases, pain and inflammation accompany joint stiffness. This may make walking, standing, or putting weight on your joints painful.
Not all stiff joints are the result of age. Many other conditions can cause stiff joints. These include arthritis, lupus, and bursitis. Lifestyle factors, including diet and weight management, can also impact joint mobility.
Keep reading to learn more about possible causes and treatments.
1. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
The most common cause of joint pain is arthritis. About 15 million people with arthritis report experiencing severe joint pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis, affecting over 1.5 million Americans. Its symptoms typically appear between ages 30 and 60.
RA is a chronic inflammatory disorder. It’s also an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system attacks healthy parts of your body, such as the lining of your joints. This causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Over time, it can also cause joint deformity and bone erosion.
Common symptoms of RA include:
- joint pain
- joint stiffness
- joint swelling
RA has no cure, so its symptoms can’t be entirely eliminated. They can be managed through medication and other treatments. However, little can be done to prevent the disease once it has advanced.
2. Osteoarthritis (OA)
Another common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). OA is sometimes called degenerative arthritis. It affects nearly 32.5 million Americans. It’s most common in people over age 50.
This type of arthritis results from wear and tear on your joints. Cartilage, the thin tissue that protects the bones in your joints, wears away with use. Over time, the cartilage can no longer protect your bones.
OA can affect any joint in the body, but it most often affects the:
- knees
- hips
- fingers
- neck
- back
As OA progresses, it can begin to cause symptoms other than stiffness. These include:
- pain
- swelling
- cracking sounds when the joint is in motion
As the condition worsens, you could develop bone spurs. In the advanced stages of OA, the cartilage virtually disappears. Bones rub against other bones in your joint. This can cause extreme pain, stiffness, and disability.
Treatment for OA can help. Lifestyle treatments can be effective, such as exercise to reduce weight and pressure on joints. Additionally, medication may be administered to help relieve immense pain, such as:
- pain relievers
- paracetamol
- non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- opioids
In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be necessary.
3. Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease like RA. Your body attacks itself, including your organs and tissues. Lupus that attacks your joints can cause stiffness, pain, and swelling.
Lupus is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms mimic many other conditions. A lupus diagnosis may take several months while tests rule out other conditions.
Like RA, lupus is chronic. Once you develop it, you will likely experience symptoms of the condition for the rest of your life. There isn’t a cure, but treatments effectively reduce and control symptoms. Treatments include:
- Benlysta (belimumab): a biologic therapy taken with other medications that help prevent autoreactive B cells (an underlying cause of lupus) from remaining in the body for too long.
- Saphnelo (anifrolumab): a prescription medication that blocks type 1 interferon activity, which plays a central role in how lupus affects the human body.
- Lupkynis (voclosporin): another prescription medication that binds to calcineurin proteins in the body, helping reduce inflammation in the kidneys.
Other potential treatment options include hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids, and a shift toward healthier lifestyle choices may also be prescribed to combat lupus symptoms.
4. Bursitis
Bursae are tiny fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, ligaments, and muscles in your joints. You develop bursitis when those sacs become inflamed. This condition can cause stiffness and pain in the affected joint.
Bursitis can affect any joint, but it is most common in large joints like the:
Other common sites include the following:
Bursitis is often temporary, and treatment relies on resting the affected joint for several weeks. This may mean you need to reduce physical activity and keep the joint stationary for periods, allowing the bursae to recover and stiffness to resolve.
Your healthcare professional may ask you to perform exercises to relieve certain bursitis pain.
5. Gout
Unlike some other possible causes of joint stiffness, gout comes on suddenly. It may appear while you’re asleep, making the joints especially painful when you wake up.
Severe, sudden episodes of pain and tenderness in joints characterize gout. Gout can impact any joint. The big toe is frequently the first joint to experience symptoms.
Gout is a type of arthritis. It affects men more often than women, but a woman’s risk for developing gout increases after menopause. Most people will deal with periods of gout symptoms for the rest of their life, but symptoms are treatable.
6. Bone cancer
This is rarely a cause of joint pain and stiffness, but it is possible. People with bone cancer may experience joint pain or bone pain. You may also experience swelling or sensitivity near a bone.
Not everyone will have pain, which is why bone cancer may advance and begin causing other symptoms before it’s discovered.
Cancer is treatable, but the outcome depends on several factors. These factors include the size, location, and type of tumor.
Treatment options for bone cancer include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Additionally, immunotherapy (immuno-oncology), a newer treatment option, uses checkpoint inhibitors such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab) to boost the immune response against cancer cells.
How to find relief
The best way to ease joint stiffness depends on what’s causing it in the first place. If stiffness lasts longer than 30 minutes after you wake up or if symptoms worsen, it’s important you seek medical attention.
Diagnosing the underlying problem will help you and your doctor determine the best way to ease stiffness and stop other associated symptoms.
Hot or cold compress
Both temperature extremes may be beneficial for stiff joints.
Apply a cold compress or bag of ice to your stiff joint for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day. This can help reduce inflammation or swelling and ease the joint into movement. It can also dull pain receptors, so you experience less pain.
Heat is also therapeutic to joints and muscles. Use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or warm water from a shower or bath to relax muscles and increase circulation.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medication
Many mild symptoms of joint pain can be relieved by OTC medicines. NSAIDs are the most commonly used medication for arthritis. Generic names for NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Steroids
If inflammation and swelling in the joint cause joint stiffness, steroids may be a treatment option. Swelling and inflammation are common with arthritis.
Corticosteroids reduce inflammation. When inflammation decreases, joint pain and stiffness decrease too.
Steroids may not be beneficial for people with advanced arthritis. In some cases, relief may be short-lived, and future steroid injections may not be as effective.
Exercise
Exercise and physical therapy may help increase joint mobility, reducing stiffness.
It’s also a great way to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Carrying around excess pounds can increase your risk for conditions that cause joint pain and stiffness.
If you’re unsure how to begin exercising or have difficulty with movement, talk with your doctor or a trained physical therapist. Exercise is an easy way to relieve pain and stiffness, but you can aggravate certain conditions if you don’t take precautions before beginning an exercise plan. Causes, Relief Tips, When…
When to see your doctor
If joint stiffness and pain come on suddenly, talk with your doctor. Likewise, if the stiffness and pain don’t resolve after five to seven days, you should seek medical attention.
You should also seek attention from your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:
- severe pain
- rapid swelling
- joint deformity
- inability to move the joint
- intense redness and hot to the touch
Though joint stiffness isn’t uncommon, especially as you age, it can be the first sign of another condition. A physical exam is an easy way to determine what might be causing the issue.
If a physical exam isn’t conclusive, your doctor may suggest some treatments to help ease the stiffness while you wait to see if it disappears. If it doesn’t disappear, you may need tests to get a diagnosis.
Once your doctor determines the cause, they can help determine the best treatment plan for you. This may help ease your symptoms and reduce the risk of recurrence.
How to Treat & Identify Calf Pain
in Legs & FeetArticle featured on Cleveland Clinic
What is calf muscle pain?
Calf muscle pain can be a dull ache or a sharp pain in the back of your leg, behind your shinbone. It can feel a little different for everyone. If you get pain when you’ve been doing something physical like walking or running, the cause is generally muscular. But if the pain comes on suddenly without a clear cause, it could be a problem with your blood vessels.
Who gets calf muscle pain?
Anyone can get calf muscle pain. It’s more common in athletes and people who exercise and put excess stress on their calf muscles. People over age 65 are also at a higher risk of lower leg pain due to muscle weakness, certain health conditions or if they’ve been inactive.
Other factors that can make calf muscle pain more likely include:
Possible Causes
What causes calf muscle pain?
Calf muscle pain can have a variety of causes, including:
Care & Treatment
How is calf muscle pain treated?
You can usually treat mild calf muscle pain at home using the RICE method:
If you have sore calves from a muscle cramp or feel a painful knot in your calf muscle, it may help to gently stretch your calf.
Your healthcare provider may recommend additional treatments depending on the cause of your calf pain, including:
How is vascular calf muscle pain treated?
If your healthcare provider determines your calf muscle pain is the result of claudication, treatments may include:
Will I need surgery for calf muscle pain?
Most people don’t need surgery for calf muscle pain. In rare cases, people need surgery for torn calf muscles, blood clots or blocked arteries in the calf.
When to Call a Doctor
When should I contact my doctor about calf muscle pain?
Contact your doctor if you have:
Calf muscle pain is a common complaint and isn’t usually cause for alarm. But sometimes pain in your calf is a sign of a more serious condition, such as problems with the blood vessels in your leg. Seek help if the pain developed without activity or persists even with rest. This could be a sign of a more severe condition that needs to be evaluated.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
3 Common Causes of Heel Pain & How it is Treated
in Foot PainArticle featured on NY Orthopedics
Heel pain is one of the most common complaints of patients with foot and ankle disorders — but what causes heel pain, exactly? The pain often occurs at the back surface of the heel and can limit any standing, walking, or running activities. Explore our guide to the common causes of heel pain to learn how a foot and ankle specialist can get you back on your feet in no time.
Why Does My Heel Hurt?
Heel pain is not typically caused by a single injury, like a twist or fall, but from repetitive stress and pounding of the heel. Common heel pain causes include:
How Can Heel Pain Be Treated?
Treatment for heel pain varies depending on the severity of the injury and your health goals. Your foot and ankle specialist may first suggest some home remedies — like rest, applying ice to the heel, and over-the-counter pain medications — to ease your symptoms. If your heel pain doesn’t get better within a few weeks, you should make an appointment with your doctor so that they can provide you with the appropriate treatment.
Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy in most cases. This can help strengthen the tendons and muscles in your foot, helping to prevent further injury. If your pain is severe, your foot and ankle specialist may provide you with anti-inflammatory medications that can be injected into the foot or taken orally. They may also recommend that you support your foot as much as possible — either by using orthotics or taping the foot.
In very rare cases, your foot and ankle specialist may recommend surgery to correct the problem.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
Painful Knee Caps: What Causes Them?
in Knee Injuries, Knee PainArticle featured on The Noyes Knee Institute
Pain in the knee caps (patella) is caused by several factors, ranging from old age and overuse to injury and infection. A strenuous activity during the day can cause mild discomfort around the knee, which heals with rest and sleep. Knee cap pain can also be persistent and chronic, calling for the services of an experienced orthopedic knee surgeon. Here’s an overview of the five leading causes of knee cap pain:
1. Knee Overuse
The patella is a knee joint bone structure that suffers wear and tear. Your knee supports walking, jogging, running, jumping, kneeling, and squatting. Straining the knee joint through overuse can result in pain and discomfort around the patella. Knee cap pain resulting from overuse may stop if the strenuous activity is ceased or moderated. Other cases trigger a degenerative process with intermittent and worsening pain.
2. Knee Injury
The knee cap protects the rest of the knee joint structures, including ligaments, cartilages, and muscles. A traumatic blow to the front of the knee area is likely to hurt the patella first, resulting in severe pain. A knee injury can result from falling, participation in sports, a car crash, or other situation strenuous situations. Pain from injury may go away with functional medicine and physical therapy, but occasionally requires knee surgery to repair the damage.
3. Chondromalacia Patellae
Knee cap pain can stem from Chondromalacia, a condition in which the cartilage found behind the patella softens. Normal cartilage is tough and flexible to protect the ends of the joint bones from rubbing on each other. When the cartilage becomes soft, the shinbone and thighbone can move too close to each other or even touch. Chondromalacia weakens cushioning and shock absorption capabilities, resulting in pain around the knee joint, including the patella. With rest and treatment, this condition can heal.
4. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS)
PFS or runner’s knee is a widespread condition highlighted by pain behind the knee cap area. It develops when the knee joint moves abruptly. PFS also results from knee overuse through running, cycling, climbing, and other strenuous activities. Pain levels vary from mild to severe and are felt around the front of the knee (patella). Runner’s knee is common among athletes and starts as dull recurring pain. This condition is reversible.
5. Muscle Imbalances & Tendonitis
The knee joint relies on the thigh, hip, and knee muscles, which work in tandem to ensure proper movement and support. Injury or imbalance can result in the wrong movements and reflexes, causing pain and inflammation. Conditions like tendonitis inflame the patellar tendons and quadriceps tendons, causing stiffness, tenderness, swelling, and knee pain. Injury, disease, or infection on one of the connected muscles and tendons can cause pain.
Working With a Trusted Orthopedic Knee Surgeon
Knee cap pain can be reversed with rest and sleep, but some conditions are severe and require proper medical attention. Others will need a corrective operation from a licensed orthopedic knee surgeon.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
What are Wrist, Hand or Elbow Dislocations?
in Arm Injuries, Hand Injuries, WristArticle featured on Mercy Health
What are hand, wrist or elbow dislocations?
Hand dislocations occur when one of the eight carpal bones (bones located at the base of the hand) fall out of the joint to cause a hand dislocation. The capitate (largest bone in the hand) or lunate bones are the bones that most frequently dislocate.
Wrist dislocations occur when one of the eight bones of the wrist fall out of socket due to a fall.
Elbow dislocations occur when the joints of the elbows somehow separate. In a partial elbow dislocation, the joint surfaces are not completely separated (also known as subluxation), while in a complete dislocation, the joint surfaces are completely dislocated.
Causes of hand, wrist or elbow dislocations
Risk factors of hand, wrist or elbow dislocations
Risk factors of hand, wrist or elbow dislocations are:
Symptoms of hand, wrist or elbow dislocations
Symptoms of hand, wrist or elbow dislocations include:
Diagnosis of a hand, wrist or elbow dislocation
If you suspect you have a hand, wrist or elbow dislocation, visit the ER right away. It is crucial to treat a hand, wrist or elbow dislocation right away to avoid developing arthritis or death of bone tissue. When possible, ice the joint and keep it immobile while waiting to see the physician.
Hand, wrist or elbow dislocations are diagnosed in a physical exam and with an x-ray, MRI or CT scan to evaluate the extent of the injury and determine the best course of treatment.
Treatments for hand, wrist or elbow dislocations
Wrist dislocations typically require surgery by a hand or wrist orthopedic surgeon.
The hand surgeon will place the bones back into the correct location as well as repair the ligaments and soft tissue surrounding the injury during the procedure.
After the procedure, the wrist will be immobilized in a cast for eight weeks to ensure proper healing.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
How to Find Relief from Stiff Joints
in Joint PainArticle featured on Healthline
With age, stiff joints become a reality for many people. Years of use can take a toll on joints, muscles, and bones, but there are steps you can take to find relief.
Why does joint stiffness occur?
Many people experience stiff joints just after waking up. Lying down for several hours to sleep reduces fluid amounts, making moving joints more difficult first thing in the morning.
Joint stiffness may be mild and only impact your mobility for a brief period each morning or after sitting for extended periods of time. The stiffness can also be more severe and impact your mobility.
In some cases, pain and inflammation accompany joint stiffness. This may make walking, standing, or putting weight on your joints painful.
Not all stiff joints are the result of age. Many other conditions can cause stiff joints. These include arthritis, lupus, and bursitis. Lifestyle factors, including diet and weight management, can also impact joint mobility.
Keep reading to learn more about possible causes and treatments.
1. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
The most common cause of joint pain is arthritis. About 15 million people with arthritis report experiencing severe joint pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis, affecting over 1.5 million Americans. Its symptoms typically appear between ages 30 and 60.
RA is a chronic inflammatory disorder. It’s also an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system attacks healthy parts of your body, such as the lining of your joints. This causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Over time, it can also cause joint deformity and bone erosion.
Common symptoms of RA include:
RA has no cure, so its symptoms can’t be entirely eliminated. They can be managed through medication and other treatments. However, little can be done to prevent the disease once it has advanced.
2. Osteoarthritis (OA)
Another common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). OA is sometimes called degenerative arthritis. It affects nearly 32.5 million Americans. It’s most common in people over age 50.
This type of arthritis results from wear and tear on your joints. Cartilage, the thin tissue that protects the bones in your joints, wears away with use. Over time, the cartilage can no longer protect your bones.
OA can affect any joint in the body, but it most often affects the:
As OA progresses, it can begin to cause symptoms other than stiffness. These include:
As the condition worsens, you could develop bone spurs. In the advanced stages of OA, the cartilage virtually disappears. Bones rub against other bones in your joint. This can cause extreme pain, stiffness, and disability.
Treatment for OA can help. Lifestyle treatments can be effective, such as exercise to reduce weight and pressure on joints. Additionally, medication may be administered to help relieve immense pain, such as:
In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be necessary.
3. Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease like RA. Your body attacks itself, including your organs and tissues. Lupus that attacks your joints can cause stiffness, pain, and swelling.
Lupus is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms mimic many other conditions. A lupus diagnosis may take several months while tests rule out other conditions.
Like RA, lupus is chronic. Once you develop it, you will likely experience symptoms of the condition for the rest of your life. There isn’t a cure, but treatments effectively reduce and control symptoms. Treatments include:
Other potential treatment options include hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroids, and a shift toward healthier lifestyle choices may also be prescribed to combat lupus symptoms.
4. Bursitis
Bursae are tiny fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, ligaments, and muscles in your joints. You develop bursitis when those sacs become inflamed. This condition can cause stiffness and pain in the affected joint.
Bursitis can affect any joint, but it is most common in large joints like the:
Other common sites include the following:
Bursitis is often temporary, and treatment relies on resting the affected joint for several weeks. This may mean you need to reduce physical activity and keep the joint stationary for periods, allowing the bursae to recover and stiffness to resolve.
Your healthcare professional may ask you to perform exercises to relieve certain bursitis pain.
5. Gout
Unlike some other possible causes of joint stiffness, gout comes on suddenly. It may appear while you’re asleep, making the joints especially painful when you wake up.
Severe, sudden episodes of pain and tenderness in joints characterize gout. Gout can impact any joint. The big toe is frequently the first joint to experience symptoms.
Gout is a type of arthritis. It affects men more often than women, but a woman’s risk for developing gout increases after menopause. Most people will deal with periods of gout symptoms for the rest of their life, but symptoms are treatable.
6. Bone cancer
This is rarely a cause of joint pain and stiffness, but it is possible. People with bone cancer may experience joint pain or bone pain. You may also experience swelling or sensitivity near a bone.
Not everyone will have pain, which is why bone cancer may advance and begin causing other symptoms before it’s discovered.
Cancer is treatable, but the outcome depends on several factors. These factors include the size, location, and type of tumor.
Treatment options for bone cancer include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Additionally, immunotherapy (immuno-oncology), a newer treatment option, uses checkpoint inhibitors such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab) to boost the immune response against cancer cells.
How to find relief
The best way to ease joint stiffness depends on what’s causing it in the first place. If stiffness lasts longer than 30 minutes after you wake up or if symptoms worsen, it’s important you seek medical attention.
Diagnosing the underlying problem will help you and your doctor determine the best way to ease stiffness and stop other associated symptoms.
Hot or cold compress
Both temperature extremes may be beneficial for stiff joints.
Apply a cold compress or bag of ice to your stiff joint for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day. This can help reduce inflammation or swelling and ease the joint into movement. It can also dull pain receptors, so you experience less pain.
Heat is also therapeutic to joints and muscles. Use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or warm water from a shower or bath to relax muscles and increase circulation.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medication
Many mild symptoms of joint pain can be relieved by OTC medicines. NSAIDs are the most commonly used medication for arthritis. Generic names for NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Steroids
If inflammation and swelling in the joint cause joint stiffness, steroids may be a treatment option. Swelling and inflammation are common with arthritis.
Corticosteroids reduce inflammation. When inflammation decreases, joint pain and stiffness decrease too.
Steroids may not be beneficial for people with advanced arthritis. In some cases, relief may be short-lived, and future steroid injections may not be as effective.
Exercise
Exercise and physical therapy may help increase joint mobility, reducing stiffness.
It’s also a great way to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Carrying around excess pounds can increase your risk for conditions that cause joint pain and stiffness.
If you’re unsure how to begin exercising or have difficulty with movement, talk with your doctor or a trained physical therapist. Exercise is an easy way to relieve pain and stiffness, but you can aggravate certain conditions if you don’t take precautions before beginning an exercise plan. Causes, Relief Tips, When…
When to see your doctor
If joint stiffness and pain come on suddenly, talk with your doctor. Likewise, if the stiffness and pain don’t resolve after five to seven days, you should seek medical attention.
You should also seek attention from your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:
Though joint stiffness isn’t uncommon, especially as you age, it can be the first sign of another condition. A physical exam is an easy way to determine what might be causing the issue.
If a physical exam isn’t conclusive, your doctor may suggest some treatments to help ease the stiffness while you wait to see if it disappears. If it doesn’t disappear, you may need tests to get a diagnosis.
Once your doctor determines the cause, they can help determine the best treatment plan for you. This may help ease your symptoms and reduce the risk of recurrence.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
What is Achilles Tendinitis
in Ankle Injuries, Foot PainArticle featured on Mount Sinai
Achilles tendinitis occurs when the tendon that connects the back of your leg to your heel becomes swollen and painful near the bottom of the foot. This tendon is called the Achilles tendon. It allows you to push your foot down. You use your Achilles tendon when walking, running, and jumping.
Causes
There are two large muscles in the calf. These create the power needed to push off with the foot or go up on the toes. The large Achilles tendon connects these muscles to the heel.
Heel pain is most often due to overuse of the foot. Rarely, it is caused by an injury.
Tendinitis due to overuse is most common in younger people. It can occur in walkers, runners, or other athletes.
Achilles tendinitis may be more likely to occur if:
Tendinitis from arthritis is more common in middle-aged and older adults. A bone spur or growth may form in the back of the heel bone. This may irritate the Achilles tendon and cause pain and swelling. Flat feet will put more tension on the tendon.
Heel pain can be a common problem. Though the cause is rarely serious, the pain can be severe and sometimes disabling.
Heel pain is often the result of overusing your foot. Causes may include, running, especially on hard surfaces like concrete, tightness in your calf, or from Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of that large tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel), shoes with poor support, sudden inward or outward turning of your heel, or landing hard or awkwardly on your heel after a jump or fall.
Problems related to heel pain include bursitis (inflammation of the bursa at the back of the heel), bone spurs in the heel, and plantar fasciitis (swelling of the thick band of tissue on the bottom of your foot). Heel pain is something you can usually treat at home.
If you can, try resting as much as possible for at least a week. Apply ice to the painful area twice a day or so, for 10 to 15 minutes. If you need to, you can buy a heel cup, felts pads, or shoe inserts to comfort your heel.
You should call your doctor if your heel pain does not get better after two or three weeks of home treatment. But also call your doctor if your pain is getting worse, or your pain is sudden and severe, your feet are red or swollen, or you can’t put weight on your foot.
If you visit the doctor, you may have a foot x-ray. Your treatment will depend on the cause of your heel pain. You may need to see a physical therapist to learn exercises to stretch and strengthen your foot. To prevent future heel pain, we recommend you exercise.
Maintaining flexible, strong muscles in your calves, ankles, and feet can help ward off some types of heel pain. And do yourself a favor, trade those sleek high heels in for a comfortable, properly fitting pair of shoes.
Symptoms
Symptoms include pain in the heel and along the length of the tendon when walking or running. The area may feel painful and stiff in the morning.
The tendon may be painful to touch or move. The area may be swollen and warm. You may have trouble standing up on your toes. You may also have trouble finding shoes that fit comfortably due to pain in the back of your heel.
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. They will look for tenderness along the tendon and pain in the area of the tendon when you stand on your toes.
X-rays can help diagnose bone problems.
An MRI scan of the foot may be done if you are considering surgery or there is a chance that you have a tear in the Achilles tendon.
Treatment
The main treatments for Achilles tendinitis do not involve surgery. It is important to remember that it may take at least 2 to 3 months for the pain to go away.
Try putting ice on the Achilles tendon area for 15 to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times per day. Remove the ice if the area gets numb.
Changes in activity may help manage the symptoms:
Your provider or physical therapist can show you stretching exercises or eccentric loading exercises for the Achilles tendon.
You may also need to make changes in your footwear, such as:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can help ease pain or swelling.
Other treatment include injections, such as platelet rich plasma or steroids, to reduce the inflammation. However, the tendon can become even weaker following injection and should be protected after the injections.
If these treatments do not improve symptoms, you may need surgery to remove inflamed tissue and abnormal areas of the tendon. If there is a bone spur irritating the tendon, surgery can be used to remove the spur.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) may be an alternative to surgery for people who have not responded to other treatments. This treatment uses low-dose sound waves.
Outlook (Prognosis)
In most cases, lifestyle changes help improve symptoms. Keep in mind that symptoms may return if you do not limit activities that cause pain, or if you do not maintain the strength and flexibility of the tendon.
Possible Complications
Achilles tendinitis may make you more likely to have an Achilles rupture. This condition most often causes a sharp pain that feels as if you have been hit in the back of the heel with a stick. Surgical repair is often necessary. However, the surgery may not be as successful as usual because there is already damage to the tendon.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if:
Prevention
Exercises to keep your calf muscles strong and flexible will help reduce the risk for tendinitis. Overusing a weak or tight Achilles tendon makes you more likely to develop tendinitis.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
What to Know About Muscle Strains
in MusculoskeletalArticle featured on Medical News Today
Muscle strain occurs when a muscle becomes overstretched or works too hard. People can often treat muscle strains at home and use specific exercises to speed up their recovery.
Muscle strains vary in severity depending on how much damage the muscle fibers sustain. Strains range from mild overexertion to a partial or complete tear of the muscle.
In many cases, home care and exercises can heal a muscle strain, but severe strains may need medical treatment.
People can get muscle strains from playing sports, doing physical work, or just taking part in everyday activities. Early identification and treatment of the injury will speed up recovery.
Symptoms
Muscle strains can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:
A person may also hear an audible snapping or popping when the muscle strains.
Causes
A strained muscle occurs when a person stretches a muscle excessively, overuses a muscle, or experiences an accident, such as a fall.
People with tight, inflexible muscles and those who do not warm up properly before exercise may have a higher risk of muscle strain.
Some people whose job requires them to do repetitive movements, such as heavy lifting or sports, may develop chronic muscle strain injuries.
Diagnosis
If a doctor suspects a muscle strain, they will perform a physical examination and ask a person about their symptom history. They may also order imaging studies, such as X-rays, to make sure that the bone has not broken.
As part of the diagnosis, a doctor will usually designate the injury as a grade 1, 2, or 3 strain. A grade 1 strain is mild and should heal quickly, while a grade 3 strain is a severe muscle tear.
How to treat muscle strain
Even if a person’s muscle strain does not require medical attention, it is important to rest the muscle and allow time for recovery. A strained muscle is more susceptible to re-injury.
Home remedies
Several home treatments can help promote muscle healing. One of the most effective approaches to muscle strain recovery is the RICE technique.
RICE stands for:
In addition to using the RICE method, a person can take medication to control pain and reduce swelling or inflammation.
Over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, reduce both pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen can relieve pain, but it does not have the anti-inflammatory properties of NSAIDs.
Medical treatments
If OTC medications are insufficient to relieve pain, a doctor may prescribe stronger anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, or pain-relieving medicines.
Massage therapy may also help relax injured muscles and enhance a person’s range of motion
Recovery exercises
If a doctor clears a person to engage in regular exercise after their injury, they can usually benefit from doing stretching exercises. It is important to talk to a doctor before trying recovery exercises, as overexerting an already injured muscle can cause extra damage.
A person should never stretch to the extent that it causes pain and discomfort.
The specific stretches will depend on the injured area, but a person should always repeat the stretch two or three times. Examples of these stretches include:
Prevention
People may be able to prevent muscle strains by warming up the muscles before doing physical activity and by avoiding overstretching the muscles.
Following the guidance below may help prevent muscle strains:
Some people may benefit from working with a physical therapist or a strength and conditioning professional to help improve their exercise technique and allow them to build strength and flexibility safely.
Recovery times
The duration of recovery after a muscle strain will depend on the severity of the injury.
Most soft tissue injuries take a few weeks to heal, but severe strains may take much longer.
Trying to return to normal activities too soon can cause further injury, so always follow a doctor’s instructions and start gently.
If a person’s injury requires surgery, the recovery time will depend on the nature of the procedure. A doctor will be able to provide information on the likely timeframe of recovery after surgery.
When to see a doctor
It is important to see a doctor for any painful muscle strain to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
If a person hears a popping sound when the injury occurs, this can indicate a muscle tear. A tear is a severe strain that will need medical attention.
If the pain from an injury gets worse instead of better, this can signify that a person should seek medical attention.
Other symptoms that indicate the need to visit a doctor include:
People should see a doctor if their injury keeps them from completing their usual physical activities.
Outlook
Muscle strains can range from mild to severe. Taking time to rest and rehabilitate the strained muscle can help a person recover and return to their previous physical activity level. Performing some simple stretching exercises, with a doctor’s approval, may also be beneficial.
If the pain worsens or gets in the way of everyday activities, it is best to see a doctor.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
Common Dance Injuries and Prevention Tips
in Ankle Injuries, Foot Pain, Joint Pain, Knee Injuries, Sports Related InjuriesArticle featured on Johns Hopkins Medicine
Dance may look effortless, but it requires a lot of strength, flexibility and stamina. It also comes with a high risk of injuries. Whether you are a dancer, the parent of a dancer or a dance teacher, you should be aware of the most common dance injuries and learn how to avoid them.
Johns Hopkins performing arts physical therapists Andrea Lasner and Amanda Greene share valuable information about dance injury treatments and prevention tips. Lasner and Greene, both dancers, have turned their love for the art into a means of helping injured dancers.
What are some common dance injuries?
A few studies that looked into dance injuries found that injuries from using your joints and muscles too much (overuse injuries) are the most common in dancers. The majority of these overuse injuries involve an ankle, leg, foot or lower back. Some common dance injuries are:
Generally, dancers have a much lower rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than other athletes. One explanation could be that dance training involves much more intense jumping from an earlier age than other sports, which helps improve muscle control.
How do I know if the pain is from an injury?
In most cases, the pain you experience after dancing is muscle soreness that usually subsides within 24 to 48 hours. Sometimes, it takes a few days for muscles to get sore, which is also normal. However, if you experience the following types of pain, you may have suffered an injury:
If you experience such pain, consult with a medical specialist — preferably a physical therapist or physician with experience in treating dancers. They will be able to determine whether additional testing is needed and will formulate an appropriate treatment plan.
Why do dance injuries happen?
Dance is a physically demanding activity. Dancers perform repetitive movements for several hours a day. Studies have shown that dancing five hours a day or longer leads to an increased risk of stress fractures and other injuries.
On top of the intensive training, many dancers get little time to recover between the sessions and have no “offseason.” Restrictive diets and unhealthy body weights may also contribute to dance injuries. Proper nutrition is important for dancers of all ages.
How do dancers get ankle sprains?
Ankle sprains are the number one traumatic injury in dancers. Traumatic injuries are different from overuse injuries as they happen unexpectedly. When an ankle is sprained, ligaments on the inside or outside of your foot get twisted or overstretched and may experience tears. Ankle sprains often happen due to improper landing from a jump, misaligned ankles (when they roll in or out) or poorly fitted shoes. Torn ligaments never heal to their preinjury condition. Once you’ve sprained your ankle, you are at risk of doing it again. It’s important to build muscle strength to prevent further injuries.
Dance Injury Prevention
How can dance injuries be prevented?
The majority of overuse injuries and even some traumatic dance injuries can be prevented. Follow these guidelines to reduce your risk of injury:
When injuries happen, address them immediately and get advice from a doctor or physical therapist.
What are good cross-training exercises for dancers?
Core and hip strengthening exercises like Pilates and stability-based yoga are great for dancers. And so are aerobic and cardiovascular activities, such as running, swimming or biking. They get your heart rate up and help build stamina for long performances.
Many dancers don’t do enough cardio during their regular training. Just 30 minutes three to four times a week is usually enough to improve your endurance. As always, do this in moderation and in short intervals to avoid stressing your joints. Being screened by a physical therapist with experience treating dancers will help you identify individual areas of weakness to address with specific exercises.
How much rest should a dancer get?
While many experts stress the importance of proper rest, there are no specific guidelines on the frequency and amount of rest. However, we know that dancing five hours a day or longer is linked to an increased risk of injury. It is also known that intense activity leads to microdamage, which peaks in recovery 12 to 14 hours after a workout. So it would make sense to take the next day off after a high-intensity activity. Dancers should work at their highest intensity a couple of times per week and then take at least two days off, preferably in a row. Also, a three- to four-week period of rest after the season is ideal for recovery.
Dance Injury Treatment
Should I ice or heat after a dance injury?
If it’s a sudden injury, it’s best to apply ice first to reduce swelling and inflammation. RICE treatment is a common approach that involves rest, ice, compression and elevation. After a few days, you can switch to heat to increase blood flow to the area and promote healing. However, every person is different. If you feel that ice helps you better than heat, then there is nothing wrong with continuing to ice. But be careful not to ice before dancing or stretching, because you want those muscles to be warmed up to prevent re-injury.
What are my treatment options for a dance injury?
It depends on the type of injury, your level as a dancer and many other factors. For example, for traumatic injuries like ankle sprains, your doctor may recommend RICE, joint protection and physical therapy. For stress fractures you may need to limit weight on your foot by using crutches, wearing a leg brace or walking boots. Surgery is typically used as the last resort. It is best to discuss your treatment options with a doctor who specializes in dance injuries. And if you are working with a physical therapist, make sure he or she is experienced in treating dancers. A big part of physical therapy is correcting the training technique that led to the injury. Otherwise, you risk hurting yourself again by making the same mistake.
What should be in the first aid kit for dance injuries?
Your regular first aid kit might already have many of the essentials for handling a medical emergency. However, when it comes to common dance injuries, you may want to include a few additional items, such as:
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
Joints Most Commonly Affected by Arthritis
in Arthritis, Joint PainArticle featured on Healthgrades
Arthritis is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes joint inflammation. When you’re living with arthritis, a simple task, such as tying your shoe or buttoning your shirt can become a challenging one. Not only does the swelling and aching interfere with work and daily living activities, it can also be painful and sometimes debilitating.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, but the most common include rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease) and osteoarthritis (a “wear-and-tear” condition related to aging, injury or obesity). Both cause joint stiffness, pain and decreased range of motion, and can affect many different joints throughout the body.
1. Knee
The knee is one of the most common joints affected by osteoarthritis. This happens when there’s a breakdown of cartilage, which cushions the ends of the bones where they meet the joints. Symptoms of knee arthritis include stiffness, swelling, and pain, which can make it hard to walk and get in and out of chairs and bed. In severe cases, osteoarthritis in the knees can lead to disability.
2. Hand
When you have arthritis in your hands, it usually includes aching, stiffness or numbness in the fingers or at the base of the thumb joint, making it difficult to pinch or grip items. Small, bony knobs may appear on the middle or end joints (those closest to the fingernails) of the fingers, which can become enlarged and gnarled. This type of arthritis in the hands seems to run in families.
3. Hip
The hip is also a common arthritis site. You may have pain and stiffness in your hip joint, but some people also notice pain in the groin, buttocks, lower back, or front or inner thigh. Or they may have pain in only one of these areas. This type of hip arthritis can affect your ability to move or bend, and make daily activities a challenge.
4. Spine, Neck and Back
Arthritis in the spine usually results in stiffness and pain in the neck or lower back, but in some cases, it may not lead to any pain at all. Arthritis changes can also cause pressure on the nerves where they exit the spinal column, leading to weakness, tingling or numbness of the arms and legs. Since these symptoms can often seem like other health conditions, always check with your doctor for a diagnosis.
5. Foot and Ankle
Arthritis can also cause swelling and pain in the foot and ankle. It most often affects the joint at the base of the big toe, which can make walking difficult. The swelling can also lead to bunions on the toes, which can sometimes make the pain and deformity of the foot worse. With rheumatoid arthritis, the same joints on both sides of the body (such as both feet or both ankles) are usually affected.
6. Elbow
Joint inflammation can also be to blame for elbow pain or loss of function. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the elbow, and if one elbow is affected, the other likely will be, too. While elbow osteoarthritis is more common in weight-bearing joints, such as the knee and hip, it can also occur in the elbow, and is often the result of overuse or an injury, such as in the case of a tennis or baseball player.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm
What is Chronic Ankle Instability?
in Ankle InjuriesArticle featured on Foot Health Facts
What Is Chronic Ankle Instability?
Chronic ankle instability is a condition characterized by a recurring giving way of the outer (lateral) side of the ankle. This condition often develops after repeated ankle sprains. Usually, the giving way occurs while walking or doing other activities, but it can also happen when you’re just standing. Many athletes, as well as others, suffer from chronic ankle instability.
People with chronic ankle instability often complain of:
Causes of Chronic Ankle Instability
Chronic ankle instability usually develops following an ankle sprain that has not adequately healed or was not rehabilitated completely. When you sprain your ankle, the connective tissues (ligaments) are stretched or torn. The ability to balance is often affected. Proper rehabilitation is needed to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and retrain the tissues within the ankle that affect balance. Failure to do so may result in repeated ankle sprains.
Repeated ankle sprains often cause—and perpetuate—chronic ankle instability. Each subsequent sprain leads to further weakening (or stretching) of the ligaments, resulting in greater instability and the likelihood of developing additional problems in the ankle.
Diagnosis of Chronic Ankle Instability
In evaluating and diagnosing your condition, the foot and ankle surgeon will ask you about any previous ankle injuries and instability. Then s/he will examine your ankle to check for tender areas, signs of swelling and instability of your ankle as shown in the illustration. X-rays or other imaging studies may be helpful in further evaluating the ankle.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Treatment for chronic ankle instability is based on the results of the examination and tests, as well as on the patient’s level of activity. Nonsurgical treatment may include:
When Is Surgery Needed?
In some cases, the foot and ankle surgeon will recommend surgery based on the degree of instability or lack of response to nonsurgical approaches. Surgery usually involves repair or reconstruction of the damaged ligament(s). The surgeon will select the surgical procedure best suited for your case based on the severity of the instability and your activity level. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.
Why choose a foot and ankle surgeon?
Foot and ankle surgeons are the leading experts in foot and ankle care today. As doctors of podiatric medicine – also known as podiatrists, DPMs or occasionally “foot and ankle doctors” – they are the board-certified surgical specialists of the podiatric profession. Foot and ankle surgeons have more education and training specific to the foot and ankle than any other healthcare provider.
Foot and ankle surgeons treat all conditions affecting the foot and ankle, from the simple to the complex, in patients of all ages including chronic ankle instability. Their intensive education and training qualify foot and ankle surgeons to perform a wide range of surgeries, including any surgery that may be indicated for chronic ankle instability.
The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center of Oregon is an award-winning, board-certified orthopedic group located in downtown Portland Oregon. We utilize both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders.
Our mission is to return our patients back to pain-free mobility and full strength as quickly and painlessly as possible using both surgical and non-surgical orthopedic procedures.
Our expert physicians provide leading-edge, comprehensive care in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions, including total joint replacement and sports medicine. We apply the latest state-of-the-art techniques in order to return our patients to their active lifestyle.
If you’re looking for compassionate, expert orthopedic and podiatric surgeons in Portland Oregon, contact OSM today.
Phone:
503-224-8399
Address
1515 NW 18th Ave, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97209
Hours
Monday–Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm