Help for Hip Pain
Many people develop hip pain as they get older. Here’s what you can do about it.
Keeping Muscles Strong
Strong muscles are an important component of moving well and avoiding injuries. Learn more.
Keep Your Knees Healthy
Don’t let a knee injury keep you on the couch. Learn what you can do to protect these vital joints.
Bones, Joints and Muscles Topics
Ask an Expert
Suzanne E. Pertsch, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Is it normal to have tingling and numbness in the fingers sometimes? What causes this? Could it be from a pinched nerve?
It is very normal to have tingling in the hands or fingers on occasion. Most of us know exactly what you are referring to since we have experienced it for ourselves. Tingling fingers can be caused by a nerve th... continue reading about Is it normal to have tingling and numbness in the fingers sometimes? What causes this? Could it be from a pinched nerve?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I've been having knee pain when I bend it and when it's straight. It's also a little swollen above the kneecap. I'm hoping that this is just a mild sprain, but six years ago I had a blood clot in the same leg just below the knee. Should I be worried?
Knee pain as you describe best fits the picture of a condition we call patellar femoral syndrome. This is a very common condition of the knee that often occurs with activity. Patellar femoral syndrome is typica... continue reading about I've been having knee pain when I bend it and when it's straight. It's also a little swollen above the kneecap. I'm hoping that this is just a mild sprain, but six years ago I had a blood clot in the same leg just below the knee. Should I be worried?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
My left knee cap hurts very much when I put weight on it, especially when I kneel. Also it becomes very warm. What can be causing this?
Thanks for the question! Some of the most common questions/complaints that orthopedic surgeons discuss with patients are knee cap issues. This small bone on the front of the knee (anatomically called the patell... continue reading about My left knee cap hurts very much when I put weight on it, especially when I kneel. Also it becomes very warm. What can be causing this?
Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
What does it mean when I keep getting cramps in my toes and occasionally my calves? I have a heart condition and was wondering if the cramps could have something to do with poor circulation?
Typically muscle cramps that are associated with poor circulation occur only during walking. Classical symptoms of poor circulation are the calves feeling heavy and fatigued, and the person needing to stop and ... continue reading about What does it mean when I keep getting cramps in my toes and occasionally my calves? I have a heart condition and was wondering if the cramps could have something to do with poor circulation?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
What is the RICE method of knee pain treatment?
The "R.I.C.E." method of treating mild sprains and strains in the lower extremities is a common and quite useful way to get back to normal activities.When a knee (or any other joint) becomes injured, there is o... continue reading about What is the RICE method of knee pain treatment?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What's the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis? What steps should be taken to get the correct diagnosis?
Sciatica is pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. This is typically felt on the back of the thigh and down the back of the leg. There are many potential causes of sciatica. These can include spinal ste... continue reading about What's the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis? What steps should be taken to get the correct diagnosis?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
What kinds of treatment options are there for shoulder stiffness?
Generally, shoulder stiffness is a condition medically known as adhesive capsulitis. Shoulder movement is stiff, painful or limited. This is considered a chronic condition. Usually it starts with some injury or... continue reading about What kinds of treatment options are there for shoulder stiffness?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
My knee popped out of place two weeks ago. I popped it right back, and the swelling and pain have gone away. Is this normal, or does it indicate a problem?
A cracking noise heard with kneeling that is not painful and not associated with swelling can be secondary to soft tissue folds moving over the edges of the knee joint. Most people have experienced this sensati... continue reading about My knee popped out of place two weeks ago. I popped it right back, and the swelling and pain have gone away. Is this normal, or does it indicate a problem?
Karen Handy, M.P.H.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I am trying to prevent osteoporosis. What supplements and foods are best?
There's a lot we can do to help prevent osteoporosis, a "weakening" of the bones that can happen over time as we age (osteoporosis literally means "porous bones"). Both exercise and calcium intake can help keep... continue reading about I am trying to prevent osteoporosis. What supplements and foods are best?