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  1. What treatment options are available for sciatica?

  2. How long does it take for patellofemoral pain syndrome to heal?

  3. What are the symptoms of tendonitis?

  4. How long does it take for a broken thighbone to heal?

  5. What causes crunching and grinding in the knees?

  6. Will I be able to throw the shot-put after surgery for a herniated disk?

  7. What might cause sensitivity and persistent pain in the hip?

  8. My left knee is swollen, unstable and purple in color. It is painful to walk, bend or rise from a chair. What could this be?

  9. After playing racquetball, I experience pain in the back of my knee. What might these symptoms indicate?

  10. I fell on my knee two weeks ago. It is still very sore. What is the average healing time for a knee that has suffered trauma?

  11. I have pain on the right side of my hip when I run or bend at the waist. What could the problem be?

  12. I have bone on bone arthritis in my right hip. Will a cortisone injection buy me some time before total joint replacement?

  13. How long does it generally take to feel pain relief following a cortisone injection?

  14. Is it normal to have swelling and water retention hours after I lift weights?

  15. I broke my collarbone in football practice. How long should I wait until I can engage in activities such as lifting weights and driving?

  16. I had a synthetic ACL put in my knee 10 years ago. What symptoms could I expect if there were a problem with the synthetic ACL?

  17. An MRI indicated that I have a minimal disc bulging at C6 and C7. I was told this could be the result of an injury I suffered years ago. Is this possible and will it go away in time?

  18. Following a cortisone injection, I developed a rash similar to poison ivy. Is there such a thing as cortisone poisoning and if so what can I do for it?

  19. What are my treatment options for partial longitudinal tear in my right posterior tibial tendon?

  20. I re-injured my back at L5-S1 after surgery. I also had a pituitary adenoma. I am currently receiving epidural steroids. How do the pituitary and the cortisone interact and what should I be wary of?

  21. What are my treatment options for a partial longitudinal tear in my right posterior tibial tendon?

  22. I have a tear in my medial patellar retinaculum. What exactly does this means and what are my treatment options?

  23. I fell and injured my knee. It hurts to straighten my leg and I am walking with a limp. Any idea what might be wrong? I also had Trillat knee surgery on this leg eight years ago. Could it be related?

  24. I am a basketball coach with a concern about one of my 12-year-old players. He has a severe turn-in with both feet. Is there any corrective surgery or exercises that could help?

  25. Two years ago, I injured my knee from excessive bicycle riding. I am 23 years old and my legs are quite strong. The pain seems to come from the lateral meniscus and is aggravated when climbing stairs and after physical activity. I also have itching where it hurts. What could be causing this and how might it be treated?

  26. My daughter is a gymnast (9 years old) and suffered a nondisplaced spiral fracture of the fourth metacarpal. Will taking shark cartilage help it heal? If adequately wrapped for support, what is the probability of re-fracturing her hand at three weeks following injury?

  27. I am 49 and every time I try to do strength training, it hurts my knees and shoulders. Now that I have been diagnosed with osteopenia, the doctor recommends weight lifting three times a week. Each time I try, I need to use ice or heat packs to relieve the pain. What might I do to lift weights without discomfort?

  28. I recently pulled a drawer open and felt a sharp shooting pain from my wrist to the palm of my hand. When I make a fist, it is painful and when I move my two outer fingers in certain ways, it is painful. What could the problem be?

  29. I received a cortisone shot for tennis elbow. The injection was not painful and my doctor said that if I had pain during the shot it meant that he had pierced the tendon and that he had gone “too deep.” This is my first cortisone shot at age 53, and I thought it was supposed to go into the tendon. Four hours after the injection, my elbow still hurts. It this the way it should go?

  30. I hurt my leg running track. When I stand, I cannot lift my leg enough to bend at the knee. When I sit, I cannot lift my leg at all. Did I tear something?

  31. I have instability and stiffness in my left knee and calf. I have discomfort in the back of my knee as well. Without an MRI, what could be the cause?

  32. The tip of my pinky finger is numb. What could be the cause of this? I have no additional symptoms other than my left shoulder aches.

  33. What are some long-term affects of scoliosis spinal surgery?

  34. My son was diagnosed with scoliosis. What treatment options are available?

  35. What treatment options are available for posterial tibial tendonitis?

  36. What is osteoarthritis and how is it treated?

  37. What is spinal stenosis and how is it treated?

  38. I had a knee replacement three months ago and had to have my knee drained three times following the surgery to remove excess fluid. The fluid is blood red in color. Is this normal?

  39. My father fell while getting out of the car and hit his shoulder. He has trouble lifting his arm and is now experiencing severe pain and numbness from the waist down the back of his legs. Do you have any ideas what could be causing this pain?

  40. My daughter has been diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome in her right arm. What is the best way to treat this injury to prevent a recurrence?

  41. How long does an ankle sprain take to heal?

  42. What are the symptoms of and treatment methods for torn ligaments in the foot and ankle?

  43. What treatment options are available for shoulder separation to the third degree?

  44. Two months ago, I fell onto my hands at an angle that forced my fingers to bend all the way back until they were touching my arm. For about a week following the fall, there was a lot of swelling and bruising throughout the palm, and I had limited range of motion. X-rays have come back negative for fracture. Over time, there has been improvement and I can now straighten out my fingers, but I cannot bend my middle and ring fingers to reach my palm. What can I do for rehabilitation to help the healing process?

  45. I have numbness and tingling in between my big toe and the second toe on my left foot. This problem began a few weeks ago with soreness in the area behind my big toe and the arch of my foot. Now, pain radiates up through the calf. What may be the cause of this?

  46. What is the best treatment for a hyperextended knee?

  47. I recently fell from a ladder and bumped my knee. Although I’ve had no problems with the knee, I have experienced swelling in both ankles. Could the swelling be related to my knee injury?

  48. My fiancé’s elbow is swollen and red. He experiences mild pain only when leaning on his elbow. He has not injured his elbow in any way. What could be causing this?

  49. I have sciatica and back problems as a result of an accident. How is sciatica treated? Will jumping on a trampoline aggravate this condition?

  50. My 16-year-old injured his wrist playing football last October. It was initially diagnosed as tendonitis, and he was treated with physical therapy, cortisone shots, anti-inflammatory medications and ice for three months. It was later diagnosed as a proximal pole scaphoid fracture, and he required surgery and a bone graft. How long before he should be able to use it normally again for football and other sports? Could have a delay in diagnosis affected the condition?

  51. How much of the retinaculum is cut or lengthened in a lateral release?

  52. My 37-year-old husband underwent reconstructive knee surgery in 1991, repairing his ACL and MCL. He is now experiencing pain in his knee again. Are there any alternative treatment options to total knee replacement?

  53. Is the retinaculum of the knee a ligament? What tissues, structures are cut in a lateral release? What could possibly happen if a release is performed when is there no subluxation of the knee?

  54. I was diagnosed with bursitis in my upper arm and given novocaine and a cortisone injection. Three days later, I was still in agony; while my range of motion was much improved, my pain was as bad or worse. I have also developed very odd, brief dizzy spells that last for about 20 seconds, but are so intense that I nearly blackout. Can cortisone cause this; also, will I need cortisone injections every few months for life?

  55. My father has severe arthritis and was given a cortisone injection in his hip. Following this, he has experienced swelling in his groin, legs and face along with extreme pain. What could cause this? Doctors are saying that now he needs hip replacement surgery. Could the injection have further damaged the hip?

  56. My daughter fell and has been complaining of pain on the inside of her elbow when she straightens her arm. We can't see any swelling. What could this be?

  57. When I was pregnant with my first child, I squatted down to pick something up and could feel the lateral side of my knee being overstretched. Since then it has been completely numb. It happened again when I was pregnant with my second child and still remains numb. Can you give me any ideas of what this is?

  58. A year and a half ago, I broke my right tibia and fibula and dislocated my ankle. All hardware has been removed, but there is still swelling in the ankle where the screws were. Does it take longer for the tissues to heal than the broken bones?

  59. I had a lateral release and debridement done on my left knee in February 2001. I was pain free for about a year, but recently I have been experiencing severe pain and swelling after everyday use. Has my chondromalacia returned? What are some treatment options?

  60. I hyper-extended my knee during basketball practice. It’s been bothering me pretty bad and has been hard to walk on. I heated it and them wrapped it up before the next practice and that helped some. What are some other things I should be doing? Do I need to rest it or is it ok to be active?

  61. I have foot drop because I had Guillain-Barre syndrome 14 years ago. Is there anything I can do?

  62. My mother-in-law has been given conflicting advice concerning her needed knee replacement surgery. Some tell her she is too young and will only require the replacement again in ten years or so. But, recently I have read about knee replacements designed for the younger patient. What information is available on this type of knee replacement?

  63. I have sciatica in the groin area and bottom of the buttocks. What can I do to relieve the pain?

  64. I am a cheerleader. I was doing a stunt at a game and when I was coming down, I hit my heel on the ground and it hurt my knee. I think I hyper-extended it because I can’t straighten it all the way and it is swollen. What can I do to stop the pain and swelling?

  65. I’m a 13-year-old female soccer player. I tore my ACL and would like to know if the hamstring muscle or the patellar tendon is better to help reconstruct the ligament?

  66. What are the symptoms of torn ligaments in the knee? What are the treatment methods and how long does it take to heal?

  67. I am having a sudden, sharp pain followed by a burning sensation in my lower right leg and foot. I have had numbness in my third and fourth toes on my right foot for quite sometime now. Any idea what might be causing this?

  68. I had surgery on my left shoulder about a month ago. Recently, I’ve been experiencing numbness in my elbow and thumb. Could this be related to the surgery?

  69. I tore my ligament and the doctor said I need surgery. If I have surgery, I will miss football season. Can I play without the surgery and will a knee brace help?

  70. Is a herniated disk considered serious and will it heal on its own?

  71. Is it normal to have a lot of muscle pain after riding a stationary bike and walking the treadmill?

  72. What is the average length of time for rehab for a strained hamstring?

  73. What is the fastest possible recovery time for arthroscopic lateral meniscus knee surgery?

  74. What is a Baker’s cyst?

  75. I received a cortisone shot in my right elbow for treatment of tendonitis, but a few hours after the shot the pain was back. In fact, the pain was worse and had spread into my deltoid muscle. Is this normal?

  76. What is spondylolisthesis?

  77. What is the difference between myelogram and discogram diagnostic tests?

  78. Is it safe for my 12-year-old son to lift weights?

  79. I have a dull soreness behind my left knee that began when I started using the hamstring machine at the gym. Although I really feel discomfort when I perform that exercise, the pain behind my knee is constant. What could be causing this?

  80. Could an allergic reaction to a cortisone injection into the hip cause my face to blush and swell?

  81. What treatment options are available for posterial tibial tendonitis?

  82. I severely sprained my ankle. The doctor said if my ankle has not improved in four weeks, he would order an MRI. Why wait?

  83. Years ago, I performed heavy squats as part of a regular weight lifting workout. Now I have chronic knee pain in both knees. How can I treat this pain?

  84. What is the anticipated recovery time from arthroscopic surgery to repair the meniscus cartilage?

  85. What is the retinaculum?

  86. How much mobility is lost after spinal fusion around disks L3 and L5?

  87. How many cortisone shots are required for the treatment of heel spurs?

  88. How much bed rest is required following a patellectomy?

  89. Can going to sleep with your hair wet cause arthritis or is that just a myth?

  90. While at the doctor’s office for treatment of bursitis, it was discovered that I also have scoliosis. I’m 45 years old and thought that was a childhood disease. What can be done to treat scoliosis in adults?

  91. I am suffering from excruciating neck pain. An MRI ruled out spinal fractures, dislocations and arthritis. What could be causing this pain?

  92. What could be the cause of instability of the knee?

  93. For the last several days, my left foot has been swollen from the base of the toes to the start of my leg. It hurts when I flex my foot. What may be causing this?

  94. What is a herniated disk? Is it different than a slipped or ruptured disk?

  95. Do waterproof casts exist? Are they readily available?

  96. I played tennis for the first time in a long while and now have persistent pain in my shoulder. What could be causing this pain and how can I treat it?

  97. About two weeks ago, I sprained my ankle while jumping on a trampoline. I still cannot bend my ankle or put weight on it. Should a sprain take this long to heal?

  98. What is a myelogram?

  99. A few days ago, while playing football, I tripped and landed on my collarbone. I didn’t break the bone – just bruised it. How should I treat this injury?

  100. What is tennis elbow? How is it diagnosed and treated?

  101. What symptoms are associated with a torn rotator cuff and what treatment options are available?

  102. What are the causes of numbness over the thumb side of the hand?

  103. What is the best way to relieve an itch on a part of body covered by a cast?

  104. How long does it take for a broken bone to heal?

  105. What is the best way to treat a strained hamstring?

  106. What causes shoulder pain and how is it treated?

  107. I recently injured a tendon in my calf. The doctor said it will heal on its own in time, but my calf is swollen and bruised from my lower leg to underneath my foot. Is this normal?

  108. I hyper-extended my shoulder while doing a bench press. How can this problem be treated?

  109. I recently crashed my bicycle, landing on my shoulder. The pain is getting better, but I feel a slight grinding when I rotate my shoulder. What could be causing this?

  110. How long does it normally take to recover from a lateral release operation?

  111. What causes water on the knees?

  112. What is a herniated hamstring?

  113. How long does the radio-opaque dye remain in the body following a myelogram?

  114. Is total joint replacement surgery for the shoulder available?

  115. My husband fell onto a rock and hit his shinbone. Although it is not broken, he is suffering with a great deal of pain and discomfort. How should we treat this injury?

  116. How does patellectomy surgery affect daily activities?

  117. I’m experiencing pain in the back of my thigh and knee but numbness in the toes on the same leg. Could the problem be sciatica?

  118. What treatment options are available for osteoporotic back fractures?

  119. Lately, I’ve had a dull pain in my knee. It is painful to straighten my leg or put weight on it. What should I do?

  120. I recently began having pain and swelling in my ankles and wrists. What might be the problem?

  121. A mountain bike accident several weeks ago has left me with a persistent pain in the wrist near the base of the thumb. X-rays taken after the accident were negative for fractures. The pain becomes worse when I put pressure on the affected area. What could be causing this?

  122. My left leg is almost one-and-one-quarter inches shorter than the right leg. I wear a half-inch lift to compensate but I am experiencing back pain. Could I be a candidate for leg lengthening surgery?

  123. What is bursitis? How is it treated?

  124. I have been diagnosed with a herniated disk. Can you please give me some information on the myelogram diagnostic procedure and the surgical repair of herniated disks?

  125. Are braces available for hyper-extended backs?

  126. My wife was recently diagnosed with degenerative spine. What is it?

  127. I injured my shoulder 12 years ago while throwing football. Now I have constant discomfort. Anti-inflammatory medications help, but what can I do to permanently correct the problem?

  128. What causes shoulder pain and how is it diagnosed and treated?

  129. Is it rare not to have an ACL?

  130. How do cortisone injections help alleviate back and joint pain?

  131. What is foot drop and how is it treated?

  132. I am on a diet that requires drinking a lot of water. I drink approximately two gallons of water each day, sometimes three. Am I running the risk of over-hydration?

  133. I had ACL reconstruction several years ago, but “tweaked” my knee while jumping a few days ago. The pain is tolerable but I do not want it to get worse. What should I do to treat this pain?

  134. I tore my ACL ten years ago. My leg is functional and I wear a brace when playing sports but my knee does bother me occasionally. Should I have it examined periodically?

  135. What is the best way to alleviate knee pain?

  136. When is a knee injury serious enough to seek medical attention?

  137. I have been experiencing numbness in my hands at night. The numbness usually starts in my thumb and is not accompanied by pain. What could be causing this?

  138. What is Sever’s disease? How is it treated?

  139. How is the ACL reconstructed?

  140. What are the symptoms of an ACL tear?

  141. What is arthroscopic lateral release?

  142. What is a torn meniscus and how is it treated?

  143. What is the heel cord?

  144. I have lived with a bad hip for several years. Would undergoing a hip replacement affect my knees and lower back?

  145. How large is the incision made during hip replacement surgery?

  146. I had a total knee replacement two months ago. Now, I experience swelling and moderate to severe pain in my calf. What could be causing this and how can it be avoided?

  147. Is there a non-surgical treatment for heel spurs?

  148. I recently moved to Pittsburgh and saw an orthopedic practice. I had X-rays with me that were two years old. The doctor looked at the films and immediately commented "bone-on-bone arthritis." He said that I need a new knee. Because I wanted to hold out longer, I received a series of five injections.

  149. After knee replacement surgery my knees buckle and I have moderate to severe pain. I have more pain now than I did before the knee replacement. I was told after a previous surgery that I am missing an ACL. What can be done about instability and pain? I have been through physical therapy.

  150. My twelve-year-old daughter is a gymnast. She is recovering from a pulled hamstring and now she says she hyper-extended her knee. Will wrapping the knee or a stretch knee brace help prevent her knee from hyper-extending?

  151. How safe is getting a shoulder replacement?

  152. Can I still exercise with a herniated disk?

  153. What should I do if I hyper-extend my knee?

  154. My 13-year-old daughter injured her knee while playing basketball. Two weeks ago, I took her to an orthopedic surgeon, who ordered an MRI. The test was inconclusive for a meniscal tear. She started physical therapy, but her symptoms persist. How long should we wait before we consider surgery?

  155. What causes knee pain?

  156. Does a herniated disk require surgery?

  157. My son recently hyper-extended his knee in a bicycle accident. It is swollen and he is unable to lift or bend it. It also feels like it goes out on him when he stands up. Although it was x-rayed and doesn't appear broken, the swelling is worse. What are symptoms of torn ligaments or cartilage in the knee?

  158. I've noticed lately that my 12-year-old daughter's spine has a slight, side-to-side curve. Isn't that a sign of scoliosis?

  159. Recently, I had arthroscopic knee surgery for degenerative arthritis. I've been able to resume jogging and bicycling, but I've noticed that my knee becomes sore and stiff afterward. It also becomes stiff when I sit for a long period of time. Is this normal? What can I do to reduce my symptoms?