SHOULDER LABRAL TEARS The shoulder joint is composed of a ball (humeral head) and a socket (glenoid). The glenoid has a greater radius of curvature than the humeral head, making the shoulder inherently unstable. A rim of fibrous tissue (labrum) surrounds the socket and acts as a bumper to help keep the shoulder joint stable. The labrum also serves as the attachment of the biceps tendon as well as several stabilizing ligaments of the shoulder. Injuries to the shoulder such ...

PATELLOFEMORAL SYNDROME Patellofemoral syndrome (formerly known as chondromalacia patellae) is a dysfunction of the mechanics of the patella (knee cap). The patella normally rides in a groove in the femur known as the trochlea. The quadriceps muscle in the front of the thigh and the hamstring muscle in the back of the thigh control the motion of the patella. When the muscles become imbalanced, the patella does not ride normally in the trochlea, causing pain and sometimes a feeling ...

TOTAL SHOULDER REPLACEMENT What is shoulder arthritis? The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. The joint surfaces are normally covered by a smooth cartilage layer. Arthritis is a degeneration of the joint cartilage. Over time, the cartilage becomes thin, sometimes to the point that bone rubs on bone inside the joint. This process eventually leads to bone spurs and painful scar tissue in and around the shoulder joint. What are the symptoms and treatments of shoulder ...

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the main ligament that controls the rotation of the knee. The ACL is important in providing stability during cutting and pivoting motions of the knee. What are the other main ligaments of the knee? The other main ligaments of the knee are the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). These ligaments provide stability to the knee in all ...

Meniscus Tears The meniscus is a specialized C-shaped cartilage in the knee. The medial (inner) meniscus and the lateral (outer) meniscus act as a cushion in the knee to prevent the joint cartilage surfaces from grinding against each other. Meniscus tears in young patients are usually caused by a traumatic twisting injury to the knee and may be seen in combination with other ligament and cartilage injuries to the knee. In older patients, the meniscus can tear over time without ...

Rotator Cuff Injuries The rotator cuff is the group of four tendons (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) that helps rotate the shoulder and aid in overhead reaching. It also acts to depress the top of the humerus, opening the space between the humerus and the bone above it, known as the acromion. What is the difference between rotator cuff tendonitis and a rotator cuff tear? Rotator cuff tendonitis (also known as “bursitis” ...

Basal Joint Arthritis Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints.It often affects the joint at the base of the thumb. This joint is called the carpometacarpal joint. CMCJ arthritis occurs as a result of wear and tear on the joint. It is more likely to occur at a younger age if you have fractured or injured your thumb. Repeated gripping, twisting, or turning objects with your hand may make symptoms worse. If you have CMCJ arthritis, you may ...

Carpal Tunne Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common problem that affects the hand, wrist and fingers. This condition occurs when there is increased pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. The median nerve travels from the forearm into the hand through a “tunnel” in your wrist – the carpal tunnel. Wrist bones form the bottom and sides of the tunnel and a ligament covers the top. This tunnel also contains nine tendons. Increased pressure within the ...

Ganglion Cysts Have you noticed any lumps or bumps on your hand or wrist? You may have a ganglion cyst. A ganglion cyst is a firm, fluid-filled mass that may appear on the back of the wrist, palm side of the wrist, or at the base of the fingers. These cysts usually come from a nearby joint or around a tendon. Although ganglion cysts are common, they do not spread, do not become cancerous but can often change in size and sometimes disappear by themselves. A ganglion cyst may be ...

DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis Many different problems, from a simple sprain to severe arthritis, can cause pain or swelling of the wrist. One of the more common causes of wrist pain and swelling is DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis. DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation of tissue on the thumb side of the wrist. Tendons (cord-like fibers that attach muscle to bone) and synovium (a slick membrane that covers tendons and allows them to move easily) become ...

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) Epicondulititis is an irritation or inflammation of the tendons around the elbow joint. Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a painful condition on and around the bony prominence (epicondyle) on the outside (lateral side) of the elbow. Pain may radiate down your arm. Gripping or extending your wrist may intensify the pain. Medial Epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) describes a similar condition. The pain focus is the knobby bump on ...

Stenosing Tenosynovitis (Trigger Finger) If you wake up in the morning and your thumb or finger is “locked” in a flexed position, you may have a trigger finger. Trigger finger or (Stenosing Tenosynovitis) is inflammation around the tendons to your fingers or thumb. Tendons (cordlike fibers that attach muscle to bone and allow you to bend your fingers) are held in place on the bones by a series of ligaments called pulleys. These pulleys form a series of arches through ...

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that has become more well-known with the increase of computer usage in the workplace. CTS is a condition brought on by increased pressure or compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, and pain in the arm, hand, and fingers. The carpal tunnel is a space in the wrist where the median nerve and nine tendons pass from the forearm into the hand. The median nerve travels in the central portion of the wrist on ...

Running your daily race on arthritic knees? You have done your homework and targeted treatment modalities such as: • Maintaining an optimal weight • Strengthening the muscles supporting your knees Build increased muscle in your thighs Stretch your hamstrings, so you can touch your toes • Utilized oral anti-inflammatory agents such as Motrin, or Aleve • Received cortisone injections in ...

ST. PAUL, MINN. - In terms of reputation and accomplishments in gymnastics, Chris Brooks probably lags toward the latter half of the 10-man Houston contingent that will compete at the USA Gymnastics men's senior national championships this week. That's not a knock, by the way. Houston's delegation includes reigning national all-around champion Todd Thornton, former national and world champion Sean Townsend, 2006 American Cup champion Jonathan Horton and two current or former national event

Total ankle arthroplasty is the newest successful treatment for ankle arthritis. The historical standard ankle fusion has significant complications and long-term negative effects. Intermediate term results of second generation ankle replacement designs are excellent. KSF Orthopaedic Center, PA is proud to have one of the few surgeons in Houston with both the training and the experience in implantation of the Agility Total Ankle Replacement. Patients with ankle arthritis have gained a significant

Total hip and knee replacements have become the most prevalent surgical treatment for end stage arthritis of these anatomic areas. Joint replacements offer nearly complete relief of debilitating pain, improve function and in some cases improve lower extremity deformities. Replacement surgery is relatively fast, reproducible, and reliable. Many developments in surgical technique and implant technology have dramatically improved the durability and longevity of the prosthetic joint system. The desi

Total joint replacement in the hand has recently undergone several significant advancements. The concept of joint replacement in the hand was first reported in 1959 with the goals to both relieve pain and correct deformity. Since that time a variety of implants have been developed and used for joint replacements in the hand with improvements in durability and materials with each new prosthesis. The primary prostheses used are fashioned from silicone. The original Swanson implant was met with gre

The Truth About Total Knee Replacements Surgical Procedure Repairs the Knee Rather than Replaces It By Albert D. Cuellar, MD Often, when people hear of knee replacement surgery, they believe the entire knee is replaced. This is a common misconception. The surgery is actually considered a resurfacing procedure. That is, the diseased surfaces of the joint are shaved off and replaced with durable metals and plastic. Because our knees are subjected to large forces everyday, the cartilage in ...