TOP TEN Orthopedic Injuries treated at OrthoNOW #NOWyouknow

Did you know that you can go to OrthoNOW® to be treated for many sports and orthopedic injuries including anything related to the foot, ankle, knee, hip, wrist, elbow, shoulder and spine? It’s up to YOU to see the right specialist at the time of injury. Don’t waste time or money going to a hospital ER or general urgent care. If you experience any of these, contact us immediately. #NOWyouknow

1. Ankle Sprain 
   A sprained ankle is an injury that is common within activities or sports which involve a high level of jumping, pivoting and running. If a rolled ankle has sent you to the sidelines, visit the foot and ankle injury experts at OrthoNOW® right away for treatment. 
   
2. Plantar Fasciitis 
   Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It is caused by repeated strain on the plantar fascia, the ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes, supporting the arch of the foot. A strained plantar fascia causes weakness, swelling, and inflammation in one or both heels. 
3. Tennis Elbow  
   “Tennis elbow” is a common term for a condition aggravated by overuse of the arm, forearm and hand muscles that result in elbow pain. The term came into use because it can be a significant problem for some tennis players. Another common term, “golfer’s elbow,” refers to the same process occurring on the inside of the elbow. Some people have an underlying tendency towards developing these conditions, which then become more painful with overuse. 
   
4. ACL Tear  
   Knee injuries, much like ankle injuries, occur in activities involving quick turns, abrupt stops and starts, or unpredictable motions. This is commonly seen in sports including golf, basketball, soccer and skiing. Hearing a pop or experiencing a sharp pain in your knee after taking a hard turn may mean that the ACL was injured. An ACL tear makes it difficult to bend the knee, and people often suffer a feeling of instability when standing.
   
5. Meniscus Tear  
   This is a very common knee injury among professional athletes and the elderly. The meniscus helps the knee joint carry weight, glide and turn. This is usually caused by twisting or turning too quickly when the foot is planted and the knee is bent. This injury often causes the knee to be in pain, lock, click and swell. Meniscus injuries are not limited to professional athlete injuries, but rather can also be age limiting where tears can appear in elderly. 
   

6. Shoulder Dislocation / Labral Tear 
   This is accompanied with intense pain and the shoulder looks out of place or locked in certain positions. It is often followed by muscle spasms, bruises, swelling, numbness and weakness. This injury can often be caused by contact sports, falls, or motor vehicle accidents. Often, your doctor can use certain maneuvers to put the bones back in their position. In some cases, however, the dislocation causes injuries to the soft tissues which require surgical treatment. 

7. Rotator Cuff Tear 
   This may be caused by an injury to the shoulder, or due to progressive degeneration or wear & tear of the tendon. Symptoms include pain and extreme stiffness when raising your arm above your head or when moving your shoulder. Too many repetitive rotations at one time can strain the ligaments and muscles in your shoulder. 
   

8. Stress Fractures 
   Stress fractures are overused injuries. Muscles become fatigued and they are no longer capable of reducing the shock of repeated impacts. When this happens, the muscles transmit the stress to the bones. Over time, those affected bones can no longer repair themselves organically, leading to small cracks or fractures. 
   

9. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 
   This is caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist. Things that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome include: hypothyroidism, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, obesity, wrist injuries and bone spurs and smoking because it can reduce blood flow to the medial nerve. Patients should see an orthopedic specialist if they are experiencing tingling, weakness, or pain in the fingers or hand that keeps coming back or that has not gone away after 2 weeks of home treatment. A common misconception is that typing or texting causes carpal tunnel syndrome. Although these can certainly aggravate the symptoms, typing or texting alone can’t cause carpal tunnel syndrome. 
   

10. Distal Radius Fracture 
    Commonly known as wrist fractures, these occur when you fall on an outstretched hand. In some cases, a cast may be all that is necessary to treat these injuries, but these fractures tend to be unstable and usually require surgical treatment.