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
Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
For the past five to six years, the balls of my feet hurt and burn all the time. I've tried inserts, Dansko shoes, foot soaks, as well as pain and nerve medications. Any suggestions?
Pain on the ball of the foot has many possible causes. It's important to find the underlying cause. Is it a musculoskeletal problem (muscle, tendon, ligament, bone or local nerve entrapment)? Or is it a neurolo... continue reading about For the past five to six years, the balls of my feet hurt and burn all the time. I've tried inserts, Dansko shoes, foot soaks, as well as pain and nerve medications. Any suggestions?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
Why might I get swelling behind my knee when I run?
Swelling is a common concern when dealing with knee pain and knee injuries. Besides the appearance of a swollen knee, many patients complain of the discomfort and lack of motion that may coincide with the knee ... continue reading about Why might I get swelling behind my knee when I run?
Joshua C. Richards, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
I get bad cramps in my feet, legs, thighs and sometimes fingers, from work. What can I do to prevent them and/or stop them once they start? They become debilitating at times and they keep me from getting the sleep that I need.
Common causes of muscle cramps include dehydration and deficiencies of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium. Most cramps can be eliminated by proper hydration (eight glasses a day of water)... continue reading about I get bad cramps in my feet, legs, thighs and sometimes fingers, from work. What can I do to prevent them and/or stop them once they start? They become debilitating at times and they keep me from getting the sleep that I need.
James D. Kelly, M.D.
SPMF San Francisco HMO Network
I sit hunched up at a computer all day, and my shoulders and elbows are really starting to ache. Is there anything I can do, other than just taking a break, to help prevent this pain?
This type of pain is usually caused by repetitive use, so called repetitive stress. We don't have a physiologic explanation for it. The location of pain is usually normal on imaging studies. The pain is related... continue reading about I sit hunched up at a computer all day, and my shoulders and elbows are really starting to ache. Is there anything I can do, other than just taking a break, to help prevent this pain?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
My right knee pops out with every step that I take, and it hurts all the time. It’s been doing this for about two years. I’ve been to a doctor, but was told that nothing is wrong. My knee would not be hurting like this if it was nothing. Help!
This is a very common complaint in my office. The sensation of "popping out of place" or "giving way" can be very frustrating to patients because they really can't seem to trust their knees. Secondary injuries ... continue reading about My right knee pops out with every step that I take, and it hurts all the time. It’s been doing this for about two years. I’ve been to a doctor, but was told that nothing is wrong. My knee would not be hurting like this if it was nothing. Help!
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?
Suzanne E. Pertsch, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I get a lot of muscle cramps. What's wrong, and what can be done?
Muscle cramps are a common symptom and occur both in men and women.Cramping is caused by an electrical impulse from a nerve to a muscle. The impulse is triggered spontaneously and can be very forceful and painf... continue reading about I get a lot of muscle cramps. What's wrong, and what can be done?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have heard about hyaluronic acid injections for knee pain. What are they, and who is a candidate for this therapy?
The hyaluronic acid in the injection is similar to the HA that occurs naturally in knee joints. Hyaluronic injections can be very helpful for certain patients who suffer from osteoarthritis in the knee, and may... continue reading about I have heard about hyaluronic acid injections for knee pain. What are they, and who is a candidate for this therapy?
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?
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