Copyright ©1995-2026 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. All material on this website is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This website also contains material copyrighted by third parties.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Patients rely on OrthoInfo to help them better understand orthopaedic health issues like arthritis, broken bones, and sports injuries, plus orthopaedic treatments like joint replacement and arthroscopy.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition that develops in joints, most often in children and adolescents. It occurs when a small segment of bone begins to crack and separate from its surrounding region due to a lack of blood supply.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
De Quervain's tendinosis is a condition that causes pain, tenderness, and swelling along the thumb side of your wrist. The condition develops when the tendons around the base of the thumb become irritated or constricted.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
In 2011, Skip's life took an unexpected turn. A father and avid outdoorsman, he was riding his motorcycle when he was suddenly cut off by a car. He tried to avoid a collision, but an impact was inevitable. The accident crushed his pelvis and severely fractured his right leg.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
An open fracture, also called a compound fracture, is a fracture in which there is an open wound or break in the skin near the site of the broken bone. Immediate treatment for an open fracture focuses on preventing infection at the site of the injury.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A break in the shinbone just below the knee is called a proximal tibia fracture. The proximal tibia is the upper portion of the bone where it widens to help form the knee joint. Many of these fractures require surgery to restore strength, motion, and stability to the leg.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
If you have a painful, burning sensation on the outer side of your thigh, it may mean that one of the large sensory nerves to your legs—the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN)—is being compressed. This condition is known as meralgia paresthetica.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing adolescents. It is an inflammation of the area just below the knee where the tendon from the kneecap (patellar tendon) attaches to the shinbone (tibia).| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Muscle contusions, or bruises, are one of the most common sports injuries. Most contusions are minor and will heal quickly, without taking the athlete away from the game. But severe contusions can cause deep tissue damage and lead to complications.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Growth plates are areas of cartilage at the ends of the body’s long bones. Because the growth plates are the last portion of a child’s bones to harden (ossify), they are particularly vulnerable to fracture.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Most scoliosis surgeons agree that children who have very severe curves (45-50° and higher) will need surgery to lessen the curve and prevent it from getting worse. The operation for scoliosis is a spinal fusion.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Infection of skin and other soft tissue can lead to infection of bones (osteomyelitis) and joints (septic arthritis). Fortunately, early diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and surgical intervention, when required, can cure most orthopaedic infections.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
In a normal hip, the ball at the upper end of the thighbone fits firmly into the hip socket. In babies and children with developmental dysplasia (dislocation) of the hip (DDH), the hip joint has not formed normally. The ball is loose in the socket and may be easy to dislocate.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A sports hernia is a strain or tear of any soft tissue (muscle, tendon, ligament) in the lower abdomen or groin area. It most often occurs during sports that require sudden changes of direction or intense twisting movements.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries. They occur in a wide range of sports and affect all athletes, from professional players to little leaguers. Repeat concussions can have long-term consequences, so prevention is essential.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes pain on the bottom of the heel. It occurs when the band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot becomes inflamed. Many people with plantar fasciitis have heel spurs, but heel spurs are not the cause of plantar fasciitis pain.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Calcaneus (heel bone) fractures typically occur during a high-energy event—such as a car crash or a fall from a ladder—when the heel is crushed under the weight of the body. These fractures sometimes result in long-term complications, such as chronic pain and swelling.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
An injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow most often occurs in overhead throwing athletes, like baseball pitchers, due to high repetitive stresses leading to an overuse injury. Surgical reconstruction, known as Tommy John surgery, may be needed if nonsurgical treatment fails to relieve symptoms.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Elbow instability is a looseness in the elbow joint that may cause the joint to catch, pop, or slide out of place during certain arm movements. It most often occurs as a result of an injury — typically, an elbow dislocation. This type of injury can damage the bone and ligaments that surround the elbow joint and work to keep it stable.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
This illustrated guide includes exercises and activities designed to restore muscle strength and mobility to your knee following total knee replacement.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
By planning ahead for your joint replacement procedure, you can help ensure a smooth surgery and recovery. This video will help you get started.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
This illustrated guide includes exercises and activities designed to restore strength and mobility to your hip following total hip replacement.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Many patients who decide to have hip replacement surgery have questions about participation in sexual activity after surgery, but it may be difficult to ask your doctor. By offering answers to some of the most common questions about safely resuming sexual activity after hip replacement, this article may help you (and your partner) set expectations and have a more pleasurable experience.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Most fractures (broken bones) do not lead to infections. When infections do occur after fractures, however, treatment may involve multiple surgeries, long-term antibiotic treatment, and a long period of healing.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Fractures take several weeks to several months to heal, depending on the extent of the injury. This video provides information about how fractures heal and things you can do to speed the bone healing process. Factors that can slow healing are also discussed.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
With the start of the baseball season each spring, doctors frequently see an increase in elbow problems in young baseball players. A common elbow problem in these children is medial apophysitis, commonly referred to by doctors as "Little Leaguer's elbow."| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Sever’s disease (also known as calcaneal apophysitis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain in growing children and adolescents. It is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. This pressure can decrease blood flow, which prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Some broken bones do not heal even when they get the best surgical or nonsurgical treatment. In some cases, certain risk factors make it more likely that a bone will fail to heal. When a broken bone fails to heal it is called a "nonunion." A "delayed union" is when a fracture takes longer than usual to heal.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Any infection in your body can spread to your joint replacement. This video explains how joint replacement infection may occur in the wound or deep around the prosthesis. It may happen while in the hospital or after you go home.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
This article focuses on fractures of the thoracic spine (midback) and lumbar spine (lower back) that result from a high-energy event, such as a car crash or a fall from a ladder. These types of fractures are typically medical emergencies that require urgent treatment.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Congenital scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that is caused by a defect that is present at birth. It is much less common than the type of scoliosis that begins in adolescence. Children with congenital scoliosis sometimes have other health issues, such as kidney or bladder problems.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Because exercise is painful for so many adults with arthritis, it may be hard to understand how exercise helps to actually relieve pain. Regular exercise can decrease stiffness and strengthen the muscles that support your joints.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
This richly illustrated animation explains the anatomy of the knee joint and describes the physical changes that occur in an osteoarthritic knee.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
This animation explains the anatomy of the ball-and-socket hip joint and describes the physical changes that occur in an osteoarthritic hip.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
In total elbow replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the humerus and ulna are replaced with artificial components.There are different types of elbow replacements, and components come in different sizes.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
An olecranon fracture is a break in the bony "tip" of the elbow. Because the olecranon is positioned directly under the skin with little protection from muscles or other soft tissues, it can break easily if you experience a blow to the elbow or fall on an outstretched arm.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Elbow dislocation occurs when the joint surfaces in the elbow are separated — this occurs most often after a fall onto an outstretched hand. In come cases, your doctor may be able to gently move the bones back into their normal position, a procedure called a "reduction."| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Sometimes called "wear-and-tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis is a common condition that many people develop during middle age or older. It can occur in any joint in the body, but most often develops in weight-bearing joints, such as the hip.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
This animation describes how the many parts of the spine — including the vertebrae, intervertebral disks, and facet joints — work together to allow us to stand and move.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
This illustrated guide includes exercises and activities designed to restore muscle strength and mobility to your shoulder following shoulder surgery.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Many people are not aware that smoking often leads to poorer outcomes from orthopaedic surgery. Smokers also have a higher rate of complications after surgery than nonsmokers. In fact, smoking may be the single most important factor in postoperative complications.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Stretching each of the major lower body muscle groups both before and after sporting activity will help your young athlete stay injury-free throughout the season. The exercises included here are designed to help stretch the large muscle groups.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone, or severe bruising within a bone. Most stress fractures are caused by overuse and repetitive activity, and are common in runners and athletes who participate in running sports, such as soccer and basketball.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
When athletes throw repeatedly at high speed, the repetitive stresses can lead to a wide range of overuse injuries. The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is the most commonly injured ligament in throwers.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
After having a total knee replacement, you may expect your lifestyle to be a lot like it was before surgery— but without the pain. In many ways, you are right, but returning to your everyday activities takes time.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Returning to your everyday activities after total hip replacement will take time, but being an active participant in the healing process can help you recover sooner. The tips included here will help you enjoy your new hip while you safely resume your daily routines.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Hip fractures are serious injuries that most often occur in people aged 65 and older. Women are especially vulnerable to hip fractures. Most hip fractures are caused by factors that weaken bone, such as osteoporosis, combined with the impact from a fall.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Regular aerobic exercise can help you avoid serious health problems, such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers. It can also lower blood pressure, build stronger bones, improve muscle strength, and reduce the risk for falling| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A fall can be a life-changing event that robs you of your mobility and independence. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk for falling, such as making some simple safety modifications to your home.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Internal fixation is a surgical procedure used to internally set and stabilize fractured bones. During the procedure, the bone fragments are repositioned into their normal alignment, and are then held together with special implants, such as plates, screws, nails and wires.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Casts and splints hold broken bones in place while they heal. This video discusses how to take care of your cast or splint to make sure your bone heals properly and you recover faster.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Vitamin D is necessary for strong bones and muscles. Without Vitamin D, our bodies cannot effectively absorb calcium, which is essential to good bone health. This article focuses on things parents can do to improve their children's bone health.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Casts and splints hold broken bones in place while they heal. This article explains what to expect while you are wearing your cast or splint and includes advice on how to take care of it until it is time to have it removed.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone. Most stress fractures are caused by overuse and repetitive activity, and are common in runners and athletes. This article describes the causes and symptoms of stress fractures and includes tips for preventing them.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A patellar fracture is a break in the patella, or kneecap, the small bone that sits at the front of your knee. A patellar fracture is a serious injury that can make it difficult or even impossible to straighten your knee or walk.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Because young athletes are still growing, they are at a greater risk for injury than adults. The consequences of overdoing a sport can include injuries that impair growth, and may lead to long-term health problems. Fortunately, many youth sports injuries can be prevented.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Because young athletes are still growing, they are at a greater risk for injury than adults. The consequences of overdoing a sport can include injuries that impair growth, and may lead to long-term health problems.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Teenage athletes are injured at about the same rate as professional athletes, but injuries that affect high school athletes are often different from those that affect adult athletes. This is largely because high school athletes are often still growing.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
In a knee osteotomy, either the tibia (shinbone) or femur (thighbone) is cut and then reshaped to relieve pressure on the knee joint. Knee osteotomy is used when a patient has early-stage osteoarthritis that has damaged just one side of the knee.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot within a deep vein. It can develop after any major surgery and commonly occurs in the thigh or calf. This video discusses ways to prevent blood clots after orthopaedic surgery.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
After a knee injury or knee surgery, an exercise conditioning program will help you return to daily activities and enjoy a more active, healthy lifestyle.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
The posterior cruciate ligament is in the back of the knee. It is one of several ligaments that connect the thighbone to the shinbone. An injury to the posterior cruciate ligament requires a powerful force. Injuries are often due to a blow to the knee while it is bent.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Spinal injections are used in two ways. First, they can be performed to diagnose the source of back, leg, neck, or arm pain (diagnostic). Second, spinal injections can be used as a treatment to relieve pain (therapeutic).| orthoinfo.aaos.org
The term "shin splints" refers to pain along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia). Shin splints typically develop after vigorous physical activity, especially if you are just starting a fitness program. Shin splints are often associated with running.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
In shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial components, called a prosthesis. The specific type of shoulder replacement performed will depend on the cause and extent of your shoulder damage.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
The shoulder blade (scapula) is a triangular-shaped bone that is protected by a complex system of surrounding muscles. Scapula fractures represent less than 1% of all broken bones and many of them can be treated without surgery.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Overhand throwing places extremely high stresses on the shoulder, specifically to the anatomy that keeps the shoulder stable. Rotator cuff tears and SLAP injuries are common throwing injuries in the shoulder.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Tears of the biceps tendon at the elbow are uncommon. They are most often caused by a sudden injury and tend to result in significant arm weakness. To return arm strength to near normal levels, surgery to repair the torn tendon is usually recommended.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
During arthroscopy, your surgeon inserts a small camera called an "arthroscope" into your damaged joint. The camera displays pictures on a video monitor, and your surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Neck pain may result from abnormalities in the soft tissues—the muscles, ligaments, and nerves—as well as in bones and disks of the spine. For many people, neck pain is a temporary condition that disappears with time.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
The seven bones in the neck are the cervical vertebrae. They support the head and connect it to the shoulders and body. A fracture, or break, in one of the cervical vertebrae is commonly called a broken neck.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Arthritis can cause pain and stiffness in any joint in the body, and is common in the small joints of the foot and ankle. There is no cure for arthritis, but there are a number of treatments that may help relieve the pain and disability it can cause.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
When you start an exercise walking program, you are making a commitment to yourself to be more physically active. This should be a lifetime pursuit, as the major health benefits of exercise walking take place over time.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Before joint replacement surgery, you will need time to prepare, both physically and psychologically. Planning ahead for the challenges of surgery and recovery will help ensure a more successful outcome. These tips will help you get ready for your surgery.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A small percentage of patients undergoing joint replacement surgery may develop an infection after the operation. This article covers how this happens, what the signs and symptoms of infection are, how infections are treated, and how to prevent infections.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Before your orthopaedic surgery, provide your doctor with an up-to-date list of all your medications—along with their dosages. Be sure to tell your medical team about all the medicines and supplements you are taking.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
It is important to be in the best health condition possible before your surgery. Work with your primary care physician and your surgeon to make sure any chronic conditions — such as diabetes or high blood pressure — are under control.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of the body. Two of the most common risk factors for developing a DVT are an injury to your lower body and surgery that involves your hips or legs.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Distal radius fractures are very common. In fact, the radius is the most commonly broken bone in the arm. Treatment depends on many factors, such as the nature of the fracture, your age, and your activity level.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Fractures caused by osteoporosis most often occur in the spine. These spinal fractures — called vertebral compression fractures — are almost twice as common as other fractures typically linked to osteoporosis, such as broken hips and wrists.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
In lumbar spinal stenosis, the space around the spinal cord in the lumbar spine (lower back) narrows. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots, and can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Scoliosis is a sideways curve in the spine commonly seen in children and adolescents. This article provides answers to questions parents and their children often have when first diagnosed with scoliosis, including information about causes, screenings, and current research.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Osteoarthritis, also known as "wear and tear" arthritis, occurs when the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of your bones gradually wears away. This leads to pain and stiffness that worsens over time, making it difficult to do daily activities.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Gout is a disorder that causes sudden attacks of intense pain, swelling, and redness in your joints or soft tissues. In many cases, the first attacks occur in the joints of the big toe, but gout can affect many other joints. It is one type of inflammatory arthritis.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
If you have pain, weakness or numbness in your back, neck or hands, measuring the speed and degree of electrical activity in your muscles and nerves can help your doctor make a proper diagnosis. This process is called electrodiagnostic testing.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
During elbow arthroscopy, your surgeon inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into your elbow joint. The camera displays pictures on a video monitor, and your surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Stretching can help your body get ready for exercise. It is also an essential part of recovering from aerobic activity. The stretching and flexibility exercises included in this guide will help improve your ability to move easily and can reduce your risk for injury.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) are painful conditions caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in your forearm. Specific exercises will help with the healing process and improve resistance to repetitive stress.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Cubital tunnel syndrome can cause an aching pain on the inside of your elbow. Most symptoms, however, occur in the hand. Numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers are common symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment. These symptoms may come and go.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Osteoarthritis of the elbow can happen because of a previous injury such as elbow dislocation or fracture. Most commonly, however, it is the result of a normal wearing away of the joint cartilage from age and activity.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Cervical spondylosis, commonly called arthritis of the neck, is the medical term for the wear-and-tear changes that occur in the cervical spine (neck) over time. The condition is common—but many people with cervical spondylosis experience no noticeable symptoms| orthoinfo.aaos.org
During shoulder arthroscopy, your surgeon inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into your shoulder joint. The camera displays pictures on a video monitor, and your surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff most often involves re-attaching the tendon to the head of humerus (upper arm bone). A partial tear, however, may need only a trimming or smoothing procedure called a debridement. This article contains details about these and other surgical treatments commonly used for rotator cuff tears.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
If you have a torn rotator cuff, your doctor may recommend an arthroscopic procedure to fix the tear. This video looks at how the rotator cuff works and demonstrates the steps your doctor will take during arthroscopic surgery to repair a tear.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
This shoulder rehabilitation program focuses on strengthening the muscles that support your shoulder to help keep your shoulder joint stable, relieve pain and prevent further injury.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
After a shoulder injury or surgery, following a well-structured conditioning program will help you return to daily activities and enjoy a more active lifestyle.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A clavicle fracture is a break in the collarbone, one of the bones in the shoulder. Most clavicle fractures occur when a fall onto an outstretched arm puts enough pressure on the bone that it snaps or breaks.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A series of printable PDF handouts addressing some of the most common musculoskeletal conditions and treatments in plain, straightforward language. Handouts can be printed and used as they are—or they can be easily customized with a practice logo.| orthoinfo.aaos.org