Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common of human afflictions. They affect all age groups and frequently cause disability, impairments, and handicaps.

Topics

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is described as inflammation of the fibrous or connective tissue of the body. Widespread muscle pain, fatigue , and multiple tender points characterize these conditions.

Brittle Bone Disease (Osteogenesis Imperfecta)

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a condition causing extremely fragile bones.

Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is softening of the bones, caused by not having enough vitamin D, or by problems with the metabolism (breakdown and use) of this vitamin. These softer bones have a normal amount of col...

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time.

Rickets

Rickets is a disorder primarily caused by lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate, which leads to softening and weakening of the bones.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a long-term disease that causes inflammation of the joints between the spinal bones and the joints between the spine and the pelvis. It eventually causes the affected spin...

Costochondritis

Costochondritis is an inflammation and associated tenderness of the cartilage (i.e.

Foot Disorders

Pain or discomfort can be felt anywhere in the foot, including the heel, toes, arch, instep, sole, or ankles. See also: Ankle pain; Heel pain.

Paget's Disease of the Bone

Paget's disease is a disorder that involves abnormal bone destruction and regrowth, which results in deformity.

Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes

Ulnar nerve dysfunction is a problem with the nerve that travels from the wrist to the shoulder. The condition causes movement or sensation problems in the wrist and hand.

Sprains and Strains

Sprain refers to damage or tearing of ligaments or a joint capsule. Strain refers to damage or tearing of a muscle.

Joint Disorders

Joints serve as links between structures; in this case, bones in the human body. There are numerous joints in the body that act to stabilize and control bony segments.

Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a group of disorders that involve progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue.

Shin Splints

Shin splints are pains in the front of the lower legs caused by exercise. They usually appear after a period of relative inactivity.

Legg-Calve-Perthes' Disease

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is when the ball of the thighbone in the hip doesn't get enough blood, causing the bone to die.

Bone Infection (Osteomyelitis)

Osteomyelitis is an acute or chronic bone infection, usually caused by bacteria.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder involving pain and stiffness in the hip or shoulder area.

Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents (myoglobin) into the bloodstream. Some of these are harmful to the kidney and frequently result in...

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the lumbar (back) or cervical (neck) spinal canal, which causes compression of the nerve roots.

Still's Disease (Adult Onset)

Adult Still's disease is a rare illness marked by high, spiky fevers, rash, and joint pain. It may lead to long-term (chronic) arthritis. It is more commonly called adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is irritation and swelling of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot.

Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is a muscle disease that causes inflammation and a skin rash. It is a type of inflammatory myopathy.

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is the popular name of stenosing tenosynovitis, a painful condition in which a finger or thumb locks when it is bent (flexed) or straightened (extended). Tendons are tough, fibrous c...

Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is a disorder caused by abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck (cervical vertebrae. The tissue wears away (degeneration) and mineral deposits form in the cushions...

Osteochondrosis

The term osteochondroses refers to a group of diseases of children and adolescents in which localized tissue death (necrosis) occurs, usually followed by full regeneration of healthy bone tissue. T...

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a painful swelling of the bump on the front, upper part of the lower leg bone. This bump is called the anterior tibial tubercle.

Shoulder Disorders

Shoulder pain involves any pain in or around the shoulder joint.

Ankle Disorders

Ankle pain involves any discomfort in one or both ankles.

Knee Disorders

Pain - knee Knee pain usually results from overuse, poor form during physical activity, not warming up or cooling down, or inadequate stretching. Simple causes of knee pain often clear up on their ...

Wrist Disorders

Wrist pain is any pain or discomfort in the wrist.