The term acute is often used to describe a type of injury (or illness) that is of rapid onset and progression but of a limited duration. These types of injuries are usually the result of a specific impact or traumatic event to the body. Acute pain, or pain that is of immediate onset, often goes hand in hand with an acute injury. Some examples of acute injuries: fractures, torn ACL, sprains, dislocation, abrasions and cuts.

The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is pain. Pain is often a constant and daily feature of the disease. The pain may be localised to the back, neck, hip, knee or feet. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscles strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue. The most important factor in treatment is to understand the disorder and find ways to overcome the obstacles which prevent physical exercise.

The pain often comes from the tissue that surrounds the joints such as the knees. In other cases, the pain comes from inflammation of the tendons and ligaments. The pain also comes from fatigue and muscle strain. Some people could suffer pain from one of these sources, yet others could suffer pain from all of the sources. The intensity of the pain depends on the sources of the pain.

The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is pain. Pain is often a constant and daily feature of the disease. The pain may be localised to the back, neck, hip, knee or feet. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscles strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue. The most important factor in treatment is to understand the disorder and find ways to overcome the obstacles which prevent physical exercise.

The pain often comes from the tissue that surrounds the joints such as the knees. In other cases, the pain comes from inflammation of the tendons and ligaments. The pain also comes from fatigue and muscle strain. Some people could suffer pain from one of these sources, yet others could suffer pain from all of the sources. The intensity of the pain depends on the sources of the pain.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks itself. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is pain. Pain is often a constant and daily feature of the disease. The pain may be localized to the back, neck, hip, knee or feet. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscles strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue. The most important factor in treatment is to understand the disorder and find ways to overcome the obstacles which prevent physical exercise.

Back pain (also known as "dorsalgia") is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. The pain can often be divided into neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain or tailbone pain. It may have a sudden onset or can be a chronic pain; it can be constant or intermittent, stay in one place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. The pain may radiate into the arm and hand, in the upper back, or in the low back, (and might radiate into the leg or foot), and may include symptoms other than pain, such as weakness, numbness or tingling.

A cervicogenic headache is a headache that is caused from a problem in the cervical spine such as arthritis or an injury such as cervical sprain. This can be a particularly incapacitating type of headache. Common symptoms of a cervicogenic headache include a steady, non-throbbing pain at the back and base of the skull, sometimes extending down to the neck and between the shoulder blades. The pain can also be located behind the brows and forehead. Because of the location, most of the pain is felt in the head, even though the problem is originating from the spine. Pain usually starts after a sudden neck movement, such as a sneeze.

Chondromalacia patella is abnormal softening of the cartilage of the under the kneecap (patella). Chondromalacia patella is the most common cause of chronic knee pain. Chondromalacia patella results from degeneration of cartilage due to poor alignment of the kneecap as it slides over the lower end of the thigh bone (femur).

Chronic Lumbago

Chronic Lumbago is mild to severe pain or discomfort in the area of the lower back that has lasted for more than 3 months. It is common among younger people who engage in hard physical work and also among people of retirement age.

Symptoms include:

• Mild to severe pain across the lower part of the back, which sometimes travels into the buttocks.
• A stiff neck, due to muscle spasm.
• Difficulty in bending forward and leaning back.
• A possible change in posture due to the severe pain and spasms.
• A tingling sensation or a feeling of numbness in the back, buttocks or down along one or both legs.

What causes it?

Identifying the exact cause of lumbago is very difficult. It can be caused by a variety of conditions such as a slipped disc, scoliosis, osteoporosis or, more rarely, by tumours or infection in the spinal area. It is usually only possible to pinpoint the exact cause of lumbago in about 30% of cases. The majority of those where another cause is not found are believed to be due to muscle sprain.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. Chronic inflammation in these areas causes pain and stiffness in and around the spine. This can lead to a complete cementing together (fusion) of the vertebrae, a process referred to as ankylosis, which results in a loss of mobility of the spine. The symptoms are pain and stiffness in the low back, upper buttock area, neck, and the remainder of the spine. The onset of pain and stiffness is usually gradual and progressively worsens over months. Occasionally, the onset is rapid and intense.

The sacroiliac joints are located in the low back where the sacrum (the bone directly above the tailbone) meets the iliac bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). Ankylosing spondylitis is also a systemic rheumatic disease, meaning it can affect other tissues throughout the body. Accordingly, it can cause inflammation in or injury to other joints away from the spine, as well as other organs, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. It is 2-3 times more common in males than in females. In women, joints away from the spine are more frequently affected than in men. Ankylosing spondylitis affects all age groups, including children. The most common age of onset of symptoms is in the second and third decades of life. It is thought to be genetically inherited. Pain and stiffness is often worse in the morning, or after prolonged periods of inactivity. Motion, heat and a warm shower can provide pain relief. Because ankylosing spondylitis often affects patients in adolescence, the onset of low back pain is sometimes incorrectly attributed to athletic injuries in younger patients.*

Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment

A common treatment regimen involves medication, physical therapy exercises, good posture practices, and other treatment remedies such as applying heat/cold to help relax muscles and reduce joint and back pain. In severe cases of AS, surgery may also be an option. Medication will help control the pain and provide relief. Exercises can help create better posture and flexibility as well as help lessen the pain.

Coxarthrosis is a degenerative disease, which leads to the destruction of the hip joints, more specifically, the coxofemoral joint. It can appear at one or both sides. This disease is characterised by a progressive rigidity in the affected hip joint. This will lead to lack of mobility and pain will be the main symptom. At first pain will only occur when walking but over time it will remain even when at rest.

Elbow pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are many common causes of this problem such as:

Lateral epicondylitis
The most common cause of elbow pain is lateral epicondylitis, also called tennis elbow. Patients with lateral epicondylitis have pain over the outside of the joint and difficulty gripping objects. Interestingly, most patients with lateral epicondylitis are not tennis players.

Medial epicondylitis
Similar to lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, or golfer's elbow, causes discomfort around the joint. However, the symptoms of medial epicondylitis are on the inner side of the joint. Again, most patients with this condition are not golfers.

Degenerative changes in the spine cause the loss of normal structure and/or function. Repeated strains, sprains, and overuse of the back cause a gradual degeneration of the discs of the spine. Most people experience some disc degeneration after age 40. A comprehensive back programme, combining physiotherapy, activity modification, pain management, and appropriate surgery when indicated, provides each individual with his or her best chance of recovery.

Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects the muscles, ligaments and tendons, along with the bones. The causes of musculoskeletal pain are varied. Muscle tissue can be damaged with the wear and tear of daily activities. Trauma to an area (jerking movements, auto accidents, falls, fractures, sprains, dislocations, and direct blows to the muscle) also can cause musculoskeletal pain. Other causes of pain include postural strain, repetitive movements, overuse, and prolonged immobilization. Changes in posture or poor body mechanics may bring about spinal alignment problems and muscle shortening, therefore causing other muscles to be misused and become painful.

How a Herniated Disc Causes Pain

The spine is made up of a series of connected bones called "vertebrae". Discs hold one vertebra to the next, and act as a cushion between the vertebrae. The disc is made of a tough outer layer called the "annulus fibrosis" and a gel-like centre called the "nucleus pulposus." As you get older, the centre of the disc may start to lose water content, making the disc less effective as a cushion. This may cause a displacement of the disc’s centre through a crack in the outer layer. This is known as a herniated or ruptured disc.

Most disc herniations occur in the bottom two discs of the lumbar spine, at and just below the waist. A herniated lumbar disc can press on the nerves in the spine and may cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness of the leg called "sciatica". Sciatica affects about 1-2% of all people, usually between the ages of 30 and 50.

A herniated lumbar disc may also cause lower back pain, although back pain alone (without leg pain) can have many causes other than a herniated disc

Muscle balance is extremely common and in many cases the person may not even be aware of it. It occurs when you have overdeveloped and tight muscles in one area of your body while the opposing muscles are weak and stretched out of their normal position. These imbalances can happen anywhere on the body and often develop as the result of routine things you do in your daily work routine, playing sports, or engaging in many other activities. One of the main symptoms of Hip Muscle Imbalance is pain. As the muscles get more out of balance, you automatically end up pulling your body out of proper alignment thus producing more stress and causing additional wear and tear on muscles, ligaments, joints and even the spine.

Hip pain is common problem, and it can be confusing because there are many causes. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the underlying problem. If you have hip pain, some common causes include:

Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement is used in people with hip injuries, rheumatoid arthritis and other medical conditions, such as a bone tumour or bone loss due to insufficient blood supply (avascular necrosis). Hip replacement is usually considered once other therapies, such as pain medications, have failed. Hip replacement is considered if you suffer from:

• Pain that keeps you awake at night
• Little or no relief from pain medications
• Difficulty walking up or down stairs
• Trouble standing from a seated position
• Having to stop activities you enjoy, such as walking, because you're in too much pain

How to Prepare for Hip Replacement Surgery

The orthopaedic surgeon will ask about your medical history to make sure you're healthy enough to undergo surgery. The surgeon will physically examine your hip, paying attention to the range of motion in your joint and the strength of the muscles around your hip.

Rehabilitation Post Surgery

Activity and exercise must be a regular part of your day to regain the use of your joint and muscles. Your physiotherapist will recommend strengthening and mobility exercise and Kneehab XP can form an integrated part of your rehabilitation.

A knee contusion is an injury that results in bruising, swelling, and tenderness on or below the kneecap. Most contusions are relatively minor surface injuries, simply causing skin bruises due to broken blood vessels very near the surface of the knee. Symptoms of a mild knee contusion tend to go away within a week or two with simple home care. Intense pain and bruising may be indicative of a more severe muscle or bone contusion that should be evaluated by a physician. Depending on the seriousness of an injury, a person may have difficulty using his or her leg for several weeks or months.

The knees are the most easily injured part of the body. The largest and most complicated joint, the knee is used for everything from standing up, sitting, to walking, running, etc. It's a weight-bearing joint that straightens, bends, twists and rotates. All this motion increases your risk of acute or overuse knee injuries.

Acute knee injuries (including torn ligaments and torn cartilage) are often caused by twisting the knee or falling. Sports that involve running and jumping and sudden stopping and turning, such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and baseball, as well as contact sports such as football, wrestling, and hockey increase the risk of an acute knee injury.But more common than sudden knee injuries are injuries caused by overuse or overload.

Overuse knee injuries (including muscle strain, tendonitis and bursitis) may develop gradually over days or weeks. Pain is often mild and intermittent in the beginning and worsens over time. When muscles and tendons are stressed even slightly beyond their capabilities, microscopic tears occur. (Inflammation, which is part of the healing process, is what causes the pain). These tears must be given a chance to heal before subjected to the same activity to avoid overuse injury. Treat overuse injuries early to prevent chronic problems.

Knee pain is commonly caused by doing too much too soon when you haven't exercised for a long period of time - especially high-impact aerobics; walking, running or jumping on hard surfaces or uneven ground; excessive running up and down the stairs.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common cause of knee pain. The risk increases with age. Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis involving degeneration of the cartilage. Exercise is vital to maintain strength and flexibility of muscles supporting the knee, which reduces the stress on the knee joint. People with knee osteoarthritis may also need to take pain medications and/or other complementary pain treatments.

Patellofemoral pain or anterior knee pain are terms that refer to pain arising between your patella and the underlying thighbone (femur). It's common in young women, in athletes, and in older adults, who usually develop the condition as a result of arthritis of the kneecap. Patellafemoral Syndrome (Chrondromalacia Patella) causes pain and tenderness in the front of your knee. The pain increases in intensity when you sit for long periods, when you get up from a chair and when you climb stairs. You may also notice a grating or grinding sensation when you extend your knee.*

*http://www.bigkneepain.com/

Epicondylitis refers to an inflammation of an epicondyle. It is also known as tennis elbow and it effects the outer part of the elbow which becomes sore and tender. It can happen from playing racquet sports but this is not always the case. This condition is also known as lateral epicondylitis.  Symptoms include: Pain in the outer part of the elbow, point tenderness over the lateral epicondyle, gripping and movements of the wrist hurt, morning stiffness.

Meniscus lesions often occur when the knee is stretched at the same time as rotating. The meniscus will consequently be squeezed between the thigh bone and the shin bone. The inner meniscus is more often damaged than the external. Symptoms: Pain along the joint line when applying pressure and when rotating the knee. The pain often occurs suddenly when performing certain movements, and can be accompanied by swelling of the knee. In some instances the knee can lock due to a splinter from the meniscus becoming jammed. In other cases, a small and tender outpouching of fluid can be sensed at the joint line (meniscus cyst). Prolonged discomfort will often cause the thigh muscle to diminish.

Chronic back pain is a very extensive condition in industrialised countries and the most common reason for functional limitation in people under the age of 45 years. Chronic Back Pain is commonly defined as pain in the back that persists for longer than three months. Generally it is caused by degenerative or traumatic conditions of your spine. Chronic back pain is a disorder that evolves over time and results in a very complex collection of signs and symptoms. It greatly reduces an individual’s productivity and psychological performance to an extent far beyond that of acute back pain. Of the estimated 70% of people who experience lower back pain during their lifetime, an estimated 8% develop chronic back pain.

Lower back pain is the most common form of all chronic pain. Many things can cause this pain — muscle strain or spasm, sprains of ligaments (which attach bone to bone), joint problems or a disc injury. The most common cause is using your back muscles in activities you are not used to, such as heavy lifting or doing maunal work. Unexpected events such as taking a fall or a car accident can also cause low back pain.

Lumbago is a general term used to describe pain in the lumbar region, or lower back. It is defined as a mild to severe pain or discomfort in the area of the lower back. Ranging in severity from acute to chronic, lumbago can occur in any age group, but is common among younger people who engage in hard physical work and also among people of retirement age.

Lumbar Lordosis is an exaggerated inward curvature of the lower back region. This condition can vary in severity from mild to moderate and in some cases severe. The more severe the condition the more visibly obvious it is. It might create an appearance of a hollowed out lower back and protruding buttocks.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

The vertebrae are the bones that make up the lumbar spine (low back). The spinal canal runs through the vertebrae and contains the nerves supplying sensation and strength to the legs. Between the vertebrae are the intervertebral discs and the spinal facet joints. The discs become less spongy and less fluid filled with age. This can reduce disc height and bulge the hardened disc into the spinal canal. The bones and ligaments of the spinal facet joints can thicken and enlarge, due to arthritis, also pushing into the spinal canal. These changes cause narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal, which is known as spinal stenosis. This can cause pain or numbness in the back and/or legs, or cramping in the legs.

Symptoms often worsen with prolonged standing or walking. Symptoms may come and go, and may vary in severity when present. Bending forward or sitting increases the room in the spinal canal and may lead to reduced pain or complete relief from pain.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment *

If your doctor determines that lumbar spinal stenosis is causing your pain, he or she will usually try non-surgical treatments at first to control this. These treatments and remedies may include anti-inflammatory medications (orally or by injection) to reduce associated swelling or analgesic drugs to control pain. Physical therapy exercises may be prescribed with goals of improving your strength, endurance and flexibility so that you can maintain or resume a more normal lifestyle. Spinal injections (such as an epidural injection of cortisone) may be prescribed.

Lumbosacral pain is caused due to muscular tightness in the lower region of the back. This results in poor posture with abnormal compensatory muscle tightness and pain in the lumbosacral region of the back. Pain can be caused by an injury or a degenerative condition such as arthritis.

Lumbosacral Arthritis

Lumbar and lumbosacral arthritis affects the lower back and pelvic girdle, causing lower back pain, inflammation, and the loss of motion in those areas. With lumbar and lumbosacral arthritis, the normally soft discs between the vertebrae of the lower back gradually lose their elasticity and their ability to cushion the bones effectively.

Beginning at about age 20, the discs of the spine begin to lose their elasticity and become dehydrated.  The lumbar discs become less supple and lose some of their height.  This alters the position of the vertebrae and the connecting ligaments, sometimes leading to tears in disc tissue. Bony spurs may develop on the vertebrae, representing further degeneration of the spine.

While the exact cause of lumbar and lumbosacral arthritis is not known, some degeneration of the spine is thought to be the result of the normal aging process.  Sometimes an old injury or a direct blow to the spine will add to the arthritis. People who are overweight, sedentary or have suffered back injuries are at greater risk. Those whose occupations require heavy lifting, long periods of sitting or driving, or other repetitive pressures on the backbone are also at risk of arthritis in this part of the spine.

Lumbosacral Arthritis Treatment

Proper treatment can provide relief from the pain. There are remedies that can help you control this pain. While many people with chronic low back pain are tempted to limit their physical activity and exercises, this is ill advised. You may find that you need to rest more frequently, but exercise should become part of your daily regimen. By increasing physical fitness, your back may become stronger and you may increase your overall feeling of well-being. You should work with your doctor or physiotherapist on developing an exercise program designed to strengthen your lower back.

Medial Epicondylitis is commonly known as golfer's elbow. This does not mean that only golfers have this condition. Any activities that stress the same forearm muscles can cause symptoms of golfer's elbow.  The main symptom of this condition is tenderness and pain at the medial epicondyle of the elbow. Pain can start at the epicondyle and spread down the forearm.Bending the wrist, twisting the forearm or grasping objects can make the pain worse.

When people refer to a cartilage injury to the knee they usually mean an injury and damage to one of the menisci. You may tear a meniscus by a forceful knee movement while weight-bearing. The classic injury is for a football player to rotate the knee while the foot is still on the ground. Symptoms include: pain, swelling and loss of knee function.

Neck pain (or cervicalgia) is a common problem, with large numbers of the population having neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain, although felt in the neck, can be caused by numerous other spinal problems. Neck pain may arise due to muscular tightness in both the neck and upper back, or pinching of the nerves emanating from the cervical vertebrae. Joint disruption in the neck creates pain, as does joint disruption in the upper back. The head is supported by the lower neck and upper back, and it is these areas that commonly cause neck pain. The top three joints in the neck allow for most movement of your neck and head. The lower joints in the neck and those of the upper back create a supportive structure for your head to sit on. If this support system is affected adversely, then the muscles in the area will tighten, leading to neck pain. Neck pain may also arise from many other physical and emotional health problems.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis and is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones. Complications associated with osteoarthritis are the loss of cartilage, overgrowth of bone and the formation of bone spurs. This causes the bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion of the joint.  Osteoarthritis of the knee is a disease in which the knee joint gradually deteriorates in the following ways: The cartilage at ends of bones that form the knee joint begins to wear away. The thick fluid that surrounds, lubricates, and protects the knee joint called synovial fluid becomes thinner and loses its ability to cushion and lubricate the joint.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis and is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones. Complications associated with osteoarthritis are the loss of cartilage, overgrowth of bone and the formation of bone spurs. This causes the bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion of the joint.

Spinal arthritis is one of the common causes of back pain. The spine is made up of individual bones called vertebrae, which provide support for the spine. These vertebrae are connected in the front of the spine by intervertebral discs that help support the spine and also allow it to move. Complications associated with osteoarthritis are the loss of cartilage, overgrowth of bone and the formation of bone spurs. Bone spurs are medically referred to as Osteophytes. They may be found in areas affected by arthritis such as the disc or joint spaces where cartilage has deteriorated. The body's production of osteophytes is an attempt to stop the motion of the arthritic joint and deal with the degenerative process. This causes the bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion of the joint.

Osteoarthritis Treatment

There's no known cure for osteoarthritis, but treatment can provide relief and help to reduce and control the pain and maintain joint movement. Your doctor may recommend a combination of treatments and remedies that may include medication, self-care, physiotherapy, exercises and occupational therapy. In some cases, surgical procedures may be necessary.

Osteochondrosis refers to any disease that affects the progress of bone growth by killing bone tissue. Osteochondrosis is seen only in children and teens whose bones are still growing. Symptoms can include: Painful swelling, Walking difficulties, foot pain or tenderness, knee pain, pain when exercising.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle so that even mild stresses can cause a fracture. In most cases, bones weaken when you have low levels of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in your bones. When you're young, your body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, and your bone mass increases. You reach your peak bone mass in your mid-30s. After that, bone remodelling continues, but you lose slightly more than you gain. Your risk of developing osteoporosis depends on how much bone mass you attained between ages 25 and 35 (peak bone mass) and how rapidly you lose it later.

Osteoporosis can occur after the menopause. Oestrogen controls the rate of bone turnover (the difference between bone formation and bone absorption). The loss in production of oestrogen shifts the balance towards bone absorption resulting in the loss of bone mass. Osteoporosis can also accompany endocrine disorders or result from excessive use of drugs such as corticosteroids. A common result of osteoporosis is fractures, most of them in the spine, hip or wrist. In the early stages of bone loss, you usually have no pain or symptoms. But once bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you may have signs and symptoms that include:

Back pain, which can be severe if you have a fractured or collapsed vertebra

Loss of height over time, with an accompanying stooped posture

Fracture of the vertebrae, wrists, hips or other bones

The pain of osteoarthritis typically begins gradually and progresses slowly over many years. This pain worsens during activity and gets better during rest. As the condition worsens, pain can occur even when the joint is at rest. This pain is often described as aching, stiffness, and loss of mobility and can increase in certain weather conditions. Some experience muscle spasm, contractions in the tendons and OA can also cause a cracking-like noise in the knee when moved. (crepitus)

Pelvic pain occurs mostly in the lower abdomen area. The pain might be steady, or it might come and go. If the pain is severe, it might get in the way of your daily activities. If you're a woman, you might feel a dull pain during your period.  Pelvic pain can be a sign that there is a problem with one of the organs in your pelvic area, such as the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix or vagina. It could also be a symptom of infection, or a problem with the urinary tract, lower intestines, rectum, muscle or bone. If you're a man, the cause is often a problem with the prostate.

Dysmenorrhea is a gynecological medical condition characterized by severe uterine pain during menstruation. While most women experience minor pain during menstruation, dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when the pain is so severe as to limit normal activities, or require medication. Dysmenorrhea can feature different kinds of pain, including sharp, throbbing, dull, nauseating, burning, or shooting pain. Dysmenorrhea may precede menstruation by several days or may accompany it, and it usually subsides as menstruation tapers off. Dysmenorrhea may coexist with excessively heavy blood loss, known as menorrhagia.

Arthroscopic surgery is the standard treatment to repair a meniscus tear. Meniscus tears typically occur in sports that require fast starts, stops, cuts and pivots. The medial meniscus is most commonly torn. During surgery the torn tissue is removed and the healthy meniscus tissue saved. Without surgical repair, the tear will likely continue with activity and fragments of the torn meniscus may damage the smooth articular cartilage of the knee, resulting in not only pain but possible arthritis. The main focus post surgery is to decrease swelling, regain full range of motion and build muslce strength.

Post-surgical pain is a complex response to tissue trauma during surgery that stimulates hypersensitivity of the central nervous system. The result is pain in areas not directly affected by the surgical procedure. Post-operative pain may be experienced by an inpatient or outpatient. It can be felt after any surgical procedure, whether it is minor dental surgery or a triple-bypass heart operation.

The radial tunnel is a space where the radial nerve passes through the elbow. A person with radial nerve palsy has weakness and numbness in the hand, caused by pressure on the radial nerve at the elbow. Symptoms of radial nerve palsy may include elbow pain, elbow tenderness, hand numbness, or hand weakness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect almost any joint in your body, including your knees. In addition to pain and swelling, you're likely to have aching and stiffness, especially when you get up in the morning or after periods of inactivity; loss of motion in your knees and eventually deformity of the knee joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects both knees at the same time. Although it's a chronic disease, it tends to vary in severity. Periods of increased disease activity called flare-ups often alternate with periods of remission.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis. To date, the goal of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is to reduce joint inflammation and provide pain relief, maximize joint function, and prevent joint destruction and deformity. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis optimally involves a combination of patient education, rest and exercise, joint protection, medications, and occasionally surgery. KNEEHAB XP when used as part of your exercise program will optimise your treatment therapy, restoring your strength and joint movement with maximum control. Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis results in better outcomes.

A person with a rotator cuff tear has torn some of the tendons that surround the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and their tendons, which surround the top and back of the shoulder. The tendons help hold the humerus and the scapula together, and help move the shoulder. The most common causes of a rotator cuff tear include sports injuries, occupational injuries, heavy lifting, and falls. The most common symptom of a rotator cuff tear is shoulder pain that worsens with movement of the shoulder. Additional symptoms of a rotator cuff tear may include tenderness, stiffness, and arm weakness.

Rotator cuff tear is a common cause of pain and disability among adults. Most tears occur in the supraspinatus muscle, but other parts of the cuff may be involved. The rotator cuff can be torn from a single traumatic injury. Patients often report recurrent shoulder pain for several months and a specific injury that triggered the onset of the pain. A cuff tear may also happen at the same time as another injury to the shoulder, such as a fracture or dislocation.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The Sacroiliac Joint (or SI Joint) is the joint between the sacrum and the ileum (one of the bones on the pelvis). The movement in this joint is very little. Sacroiliac Pain can occur secondary to the following diseases: ankylosing spondylitis, Paget’s disease, or tuberculosis. More commonly, Sacroiliac Pain occurs from dysfunction - either stresses on the joint or too much movement (hyper mobility). If the joint is hyper mobile, pain occurs anytime the joint is displaced.

Stresses to the SI Joint can occur from the following activities: persistent standing on one leg, falling on your “SITS” bone, swinging a golf club, lifting something, or even bending over. If the joint is hyper mobile, pain occurs anytime the joint is displaced. This occurs more commonly in females due to their joint structure, hormonal changes, and childbirth strains. Pain is experienced not only at the joint, but also in the muscles around the SI joint. Pain can also be present in the back of the thigh, in the lower abdomen, or in the groin. Coughing can increase symptoms at the SI joint. Diagnosis of this dysfunction is difficult to see on x-ray because there is very little movement at the joint. Physicians and physical therapists can confirm a diagnosis in their examination.*

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatment

Doctors often begin by prescribing nonsurgical treatment for SI joint dysfunction. In some cases, doctors simply monitor the patient's condition to see if symptoms improve. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are commonly used to provide pain relief, control, and reduce inflammation in the joint. Backrest may be required to help decrease inflammation and calm the muscle spasm. Some patient’s benefit from wearing a special brace called a sacroiliac belt. This belt wraps around the hips to hold the sacroiliac joint tightly together, which may ease your pain. Patients often work with a physiotherapist. They can assign positions and exercises to ease your symptoms. The therapist may design an exercise program to improve the strength and control of your back and abdominal muscles. Some therapists are trained in manipulative techniques and remedies that attempt to treat the pain in this manner. **

* DonTigny, Richard. “Mechanics and Treatment of the Sacroiliac Joint,” The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. Vol.1, No. 1, 1993, pp.3-12.

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Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerves are the largest nerves in the body and are about the size of your little finger. They come out of the spinal column low in the back and then go behind the hip joint, down the buttock, and down the back of the leg to the foot. Sciatica is low back pain combined with a pain through the buttock and down one leg. The pain usually goes past the knee and may go farther to the foot. Sometimes, weakness in the leg muscles occurs. Sciatica is different from other forms of low back pain because there are 2 sciatic nerves, and the pain is usually on 1 side. The pain is usually a shooting pain. It can also burn or tingle much like the feeling when your leg "goes to sleep." The pain can range from slightly annoying to totally unbearable. Some people have pain in one part of the leg and numbness in another part of the same leg.

Most sudden attacks of acute back pain are the result of overstretched muscles (strains) or ligaments (sprains). The pain may be most severe immediately after injury, or it may worsen gradually over a few hours. In most instances, back pain as a result of strain or sprain can be resolved following a conservative course of treatment—usually within two to six weeks—provided there are no serious underlying medical conditions. Identifying the cause of the pain, alleviating the pain— either at home or with your physician's help—and avoiding re-injury are key to the healing process.

Injury or inflammation to a bursa is referred to as Bursitis. A bursa is a tiny fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. Bursitis is typically identified by localised pain or swelling, tenderness, and pain with motion of the tissues in the affected area.

Shoulder injuries are an extremely common complaint, and there are many common causes of this problem. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the cause. If you have shoulder pain, some common causes include: AC Joint Injury, Dislocated Shoulder, Impingment Syndrome, Frozen Shoulder, Rotator Cuff Injury.

Shoulder problems including pain, are one of the more common reasons for physician visits for musculoskeletal symptoms. The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body. However, it is an unstable joint because of the range of motion allowed. It is easily subject to injury because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain stable, the shoulder must be anchored by its muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Some shoulder problems arise from the disruption of these soft tissues as a result of injury or from overuse or underuse of the shoulder. Other problems arise from a degenerative process in which tissues break down and no longer function well.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one vertebra slips forward on the one below it. Typical symptoms of spondylolisthesis include pain across the lower back and legs, which occurs when the slipped vertebra irritates the nerves around it; however, a person can have the condition and not have pain. It is often well localized in the lumbosacral joint region but may radiate down one or both legs along the course of the sciatic nerves and especially into the distribution of the peroneal nerves. There is often complaint of stiffness of the back, and all of the symptoms become worse with exercise and strain.

Spondylolisthesis is the most common cause of low back pain in adolescent athletes. In older people, the most common cause is degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae. With aging, the discs lose moisture, dry out and flatten, bringing the bones on either side closer together to the point where one slips forward on the other.

Isthmic spondylolisthesis and degenerative spondylolisthesis are frequently associated with low back and lower limb pain. Pain may be severe, slight, or entirely absent. In cases of extensive slipping the torso is shortened, the ribs may rest on the iliac crests, and the abdomen may protrude. In severe cases, the pelvic inclination is decreased and the body is swayed backward.

Degenerative spinal disorders are a group of conditions that involve a loss of normal structure and function in the spine. These common disorders are associated with the normal effects of aging, but also may be caused by infection, tumors, muscle strains, or arthritis. Pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots associated with spinal degeneration may be caused by disc displacement or herniation; spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal; or osteoarthritis, cartilage breakdown at spinal joints.

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves. This is usually due to the common occurrence of spinal degeneration that occurs with aging. It can also sometimes be caused by spinal disc herniation, osteoporosis or a tumour. In the cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) region it can be a congenital condition to varying degrees. Spinal stenosis may affect the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. In some cases, it may be present in all three places in the same patient. Lumbar spinal stenosis results in low back pain as well as pain or abnormal sensations in the legs, thighs, feet or buttocks, or loss of bladder and bowel control.

Spinal Weakness can be caused by any number if injuries to the spine or can be as a result of an existing condition such as osteoarthritis. Weakness causes a decrease in the usual strength of the movements of the back. This can also affect one or both legs. Symptoms can include: numbness, pain, spasticity and paralysis.

Spondylarthrosis involves age and strain related wear and degeneration of intervertebral discs in the cervical spine and the posterior facet joints. The condition develops slowly, sometimes over several years. The developemnt of this condition is preceded by injuries or chronic microtraumas to the spine, by spinal strain, and by metabolic disorders, especially in the elderly. Symptoms can include: Pain and a tingling sensation

By definition, a knee sprain is an injury to a knee ligament. The sprain may vary in severity from a slight stretch to a complete tear of the ligament. A mild, or grade 1, sprain simply stretches the ligament and causes pain and swelling. A moderate, or grade 2, sprain partially tears the ligament and is much more disabling. A severe, or grade 3, sprain is a complete rupture and often needs surgical repair.

Although upper back pain is not a very common spinal disorder, it can cause significant discomfort and pain when it does occur. The thoracic spine is also called upper back, middle back or mid-back. Symptoms of thoracic pain affect the middle 12 vertebrae, known as T1 to T12. It is different in structure and function that the cervical spine, which is the neck or the lumbar spine which is the lower back. The thoracic spine gives stability and protection to the internal organs in the chest area.

The two major causes of neck and upper back pain or thoracic spine pain are mysofascial pain and joint dysfunctional pain. Muscular irritation is myofasical pain. This is a result of muscle strain, from sports and other activities, over and under use of the muscle, sudden movements like being jerked forwards in a car accident. This primarily affects the leg muscles that support the shoulder blades. Joint Dysfunction is the malfunctioning of the pair of joints that connect each rib with the thoracic spine. The ribs are connected to the spine on either side by joints. Any kind of injury to one or even both joints can result in a loss of function and pain. Other symptoms include weakness, pain in the arms, pain and irritation with any movemnet of the upper body, morning pain and stiffness.

Whiplash is a nonmedical term used to describe neck pain following an injury to the soft tissues of your neck (specifically ligaments, tendons, and muscles). It is caused by an abnormal motion or force applied to your neck that causes movement beyond the neck's normal range of motion. Whiplash can happen in motor vehicle accidents, sporting activities, accidental falls, and assault. Symptoms reported by sufferers include: pain and aching to the neck and back, referred pain to the shoulders, sensory disturbance (such as pins and needles) to the arms & legs and headaches. Symptoms can appear directly after the injury, but often are not felt until days afterwards. Whiplash is usually confined to the spinal cord, and the most common areas of the spinal cord affected by whiplash are the neck, and the mid-back.