Orthopedic problems vary with age. Children can have growing pains, overuse injuries, scoliosis, and broken bones. Adults often suffer from back pain and osteoarthritis. Treatment ranges from pain relievers and rest to surgery.
The most common orthopedic problems often vary with age. Children and adolescents can develop growing pains, overuse injuries, scoliosis, and broken bones. Most adults suffer from back pain at some point in their lives caused by muscle strain and disease of the disc or spine. Osteoarthritis, or arthritis of wear and tear, is another orthopedic problem that can start in middle age and get progressively worse over the years. Treatment for orthopedic problems ranges from pain relievers and rest to surgery.
The bones and cartilage of children and adolescents are still growing, which sets the stage for some orthopedic problems. Many young people experience pain during growth spurts. Growing pains occur because bone grows faster than muscles and ligaments, which overstretch. Treatment may include pain relievers, massage, stretching, and a heating pad.
Overuse injuries, or muscle strains, are orthopedic problems often seen in children who play sports. Immature and growing bones, as well as performing training exercises incorrectly, improper shoes or hard playing surfaces can all contribute to muscle strain. Shin splints, or pain along the inner tibial edge of the lower leg, are a type of overuse injury. Rest, ice, and pain relievers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the normal course of treatment. Severe muscle strain may require crutches or a brace until the injury has healed.
Scoliosis is another common orthopedic problem among older children and adolescents. The normal spine is relatively straight; in scoliosis, on the other hand, the spine has a curvature in the shape of a s or c. The exact cause of scoliosis is unknown. This condition tends to worsen during growth spurts. It can be treated surgically or with a special brace.
Children can break their collarbones or humerus bones. The most common cause is falling on outstretched arms. Clavicle fractures are usually treated nonsurgically with a sling to immobilize the injury and radiographic monitoring for several weeks. Humeral fractures also require immobilization in a leg brace or cast. If necessary, painkillers can be taken.
Major orthopedic problems in adults include lower back pain and osteoarthritis. Low back pain can be caused by muscle strain from improper lifting. It can also be caused by spinal degeneration. One type of spinal degeneration occurs in the vertebral discs. Damaged discs, with or without herniation, can cause pain if the nerve root is compressed. Treatment may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, weight loss, and sometimes surgery.
Normal cartilage acts as a cushion between two joints. When the cartilage is damaged, the bones begin to scratch each other, causing the inflammation, pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. Nearly all adults have some form of osteoarthritis by age 70. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the hips, hands, knees, lower back and neck are most affected by osteoarthritis. Treatments range from over-the-counter pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories to cortisone injections, weight loss, or other lifestyle changes.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
