Arroyo Grande Specialty Center Orthopedic Care – Conditions Treated

Arm pain
You can hurt your arm by using it too much or by injuring it. Biking, wrestling, and home repair projects are examples of activities that can lead to arm pain. Everyday wear and tear, especially as you get older, can cause arm pain. Your forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers are the parts of your arm that are most likely to become painful. A minor arm injury usually will heal on its own with home treatment to relieve swelling and pain. If you have a more serious injury, you may need tests and treatment.

Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. Symptoms of arthritis may include pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and limitation of movement. There are over 100 types of arthritis. Three common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

Back pain
In most cases, there isn't a clear cause for back pain. It may be related to problems with muscles and ligaments of the back. It may also be related to problems with the nerves, discs, or bones of the back. Moving, lifting, standing, sitting, or sleeping in an awkward way can strain the back. Arthritis is another cause of back pain.

Broken collarbone
You have broken or cracked your collarbone, or clavicle. The collarbone is the long, slightly curved bone that connects the shoulder to the chest. It supports the shoulder. A broken collarbone may take 6 weeks or longer to heal. You will need to wear an arm sling to keep the broken bone from moving while it heals. At first, it may hurt to move your arm. This will get better with time.

Broken pelvis
The pelvis is the ring of bones between your hips. It connects to the spine and to the leg bones at the hip joints. Blood vessels, nerves, and muscles run through the pelvic ring and can be affected by a break. A broken pelvis also can affect the organs in your pelvic area. Shoulder problems and injuries: Minor shoulder problems, such as sore muscles and aches and pains, are common. Shoulder problems develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or an injury. They can also be caused by the natural process of aging.

Broken toe
You have broken (fractured) your toe. Depending on which toe and the type of fracture, you may not need a special cast or brace. Buddy-taping your broken toe to a healthy toe next to it is sometimes all you need to do. The toe may take 4 weeks or more to heal. You heal best when you take good care of yourself. Eat a variety of healthy foods, and don't smoke.

Carpal tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in your hand, wrist, and sometimes forearm. It is caused by pressure on the median nerve. This nerve runs through a space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. You may be more likely to get the syndrome if you overuse your hand or wrist. You may also be more likely to get it if you are pregnant or have a problem like an underactive thyroid or diabetes. Many people get better if they rest their wrist and wear a splint. Some people need surgery.

Elbow injuries
Everyone has had a minor elbow injury. You may have bumped your "funny bone" at the back of your elbow, causing shooting numbness and pain. The funny-bone feeling can be intense, but it's not serious. It will go away on its own. Maybe your elbow has become sore after activity. Elbow injuries can be minor or serious. They may include symptoms such as pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, weakness, or decreased range of motion. Home treatment often can help relieve minor aches and pains.

Finger, hand, and wrist injuries
At one time or another, everyone has had a minor injury to a finger, hand, or wrist that caused pain or swelling. Most of the time our body movements don't cause problems. But sometimes symptoms can develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or an injury.

Foot pain
Foot injuries that cause pain and swelling are fairly common. Almost all sports or home repair projects can cause a misstep that ends up as foot pain. Normal wear and tear, especially as you get older, also can cause foot pain. Most minor foot injuries will heal on their own, and home treatment is usually all you need to do. If you have a severe injury, you may need tests and treatment.

Fracture
A fracture is a break in a bone. Fractures can range from a hairline crack in the bone to the bone being broken into two or more pieces that no longer line up correctly. A fracture may occur at the same time as other injuries, such as sprains, strains, or dislocations.

Hip pain
Hip pain may be caused by many things, including overuse, a fall, or a twisting movement. Another cause of hip pain is arthritis. Your pain may increase when you stand up, walk, or squat. The pain may come and go or may be constant. Home treatment can help relieve hip pain, swelling, and stiffness. If your pain is ongoing, you may need more tests and treatment.

Knee pain or injury
Injuries are a common cause of knee problems. Sudden (acute) injuries may be caused by a direct blow to the knee. They can also be caused by abnormal twisting, bending, or falling on the knee. Pain, bruising, or swelling may be severe, and may start within minutes of the injury.

Leg injuries
Minor leg injuries are common. Symptoms often develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or an injury. Leg injuries are most likely to occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, work or projects around the home.

Leg problems, noninjury
Minor leg problems, such as sore muscles, are common. Leg problems often occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, and work or projects around the home. They also can be caused by injuries.

Low back pain
Low back pain is pain in your back anywhere below the ribs and above the legs. It can be dull or sharp. You might feel it in only one spot or over a broad area. Some people also have numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs from a pinched nerve in the back.

Neck problems and injuries
Most people will have a minor neck problem at one time or another. Our body movements usually don't cause problems. But sometimes symptoms can develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or injury. Neck problems and injuries most often occur during sports or recreation activities, work-related tasks, or projects around the home.

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is usually called arthritis. Many people get this type of arthritis as they age. It happens when the cartilage that cushions your joints—like your knees and hips—gradually breaks down. Then the bones rub against each other. This causes damage and pain. There are many treatments that can help with the pain and make it easier to move.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that makes your bones thin, brittle, and easy to break. It's related to the loss of bone mass that happens as a natural part of aging. It's most common in women who have gone through menopause, but it can occur in anyone. As osteoporosis gets worse, it can lead to broken bones in the hip, spine, and wrist. Treatment can slow bone loss and increase bone thickness.

Spine fracture
A spine fracture is a break in one of the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. The body of the vertebra, which bears the weight, can break. It has smaller bones that branch off to form a protective ring around the spinal cord. These bones, which can also break, include: The spinous process, which sticks out behind the vertebra. The transverse processes, which stick out from the sides. The pedicles, which connect the processes to the vertebral body. The lamina, which connects the processes to each other.

Toe, foot, and ankle injuries
Everyone has had a minor toe, foot, or ankle injury that caused pain or swelling. Most of the time our body movements don't cause problems. But sometimes symptoms develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or an injury. Toe, foot, or ankle injuries most often occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, work or projects around the home.