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Bones, Joints and Muscles Health

Aching hips and knees? Sidelined by an injury or nagging pain? Our experts fill you in on these common ailments.

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

    • Pain and Pain Management
    • Sports Injury Prevention

    Ask an Expert

    C. Scott Walthour

    C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

    Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

    I fell two weeks ago on the sidewalk and hurt the side and top of my knee. It really swelled and was painful to the touch. Now it's much better but it is still sensitive when I kneel on it. Should I continue to give it some time?

    Thanks for the great question. It sounds like your fall led to an injury to the front part of the knee around the knee cap. This is common when the fall happens on a flexed knee - lots of pain, but it generally... continue reading  about  I fell two weeks ago on the sidewalk and hurt the side and top of my knee. It really swelled and was painful to the touch. Now it's much better but it is still sensitive when I kneel on it. Should I continue to give it some time?

    James D. Kelly

    James D. Kelly, M.D.

    SPMF San Francisco HMO Network

    I'm having extreme pain in my shoulder near my shoulder blade down to my fingers, with tingling in my hand and fingers. What is causing this and what should I do?

    Those symptoms are most commonly associated with a pinched nerve in the neck, a condition called a "cervical radiculopathy." The specific treatment you might need depends upon several factors such as how long y... continue reading  about  I'm having extreme pain in my shoulder near my shoulder blade down to my fingers, with tingling in my hand and fingers. What is causing this and what should I do?

    Arfan Din

    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?

    Alexander M. Reyzelman

    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?

    Arfan Din

    Arfan Din, D.O.

    Sutter Medical Foundation

    I have arthritis in my knees. What are some alternative forms of treatment instead of surgery? I've had cortisone shots, but they are ineffective now.

    Good question. This is a common problem for many people. The non-operative treatments for the arthritis of the knees can include the following:Losing weight - If there is less pressure on the knee, there is les... continue reading  about  I have arthritis in my knees. What are some alternative forms of treatment instead of surgery? I've had cortisone shots, but they are ineffective now.

    Karen Handy

    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?

    Toni J. Brayer

    Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    How does menopause affect the joints and muscles in your body?

    Many women experience joint and muscle pain and stiffness around the time of menopause that they hadn't experienced before. Because there are estrogen receptors all over the body, including the joints, declinin... continue reading  about  How does menopause affect the joints and muscles in your body?

    Noah Weiss

    Noah Weiss, M.D.

    Surgery Center Division

    My right elbow has been swollen for a few days, and it feels like it's full of fluid. I don't remember injuring it, and I don't really feel any pain. I tried icing it, but the swelling did not go down. What could this be and should I see my doctor?

    The first thing I would like to know is the exact location of the swelling. Often, people will notice swelling on the back of the elbow. You can develop a soft, squishy collection of fluid that is called olecra... continue reading  about  My right elbow has been swollen for a few days, and it feels like it's full of fluid. I don't remember injuring it, and I don't really feel any pain. I tried icing it, but the swelling did not go down. What could this be and should I see my doctor?

    David S H Chang

    David S H Chang, M.D.

    SEBMF HMO Network

    I have pain and numbness across my upper back, in my shoulders, down my arms and through my elbows, wrists and hands. I know I have ulnar nerve damage of some kind. How do I start to ease the pain and numbness so I can sleep and work comfortably?

    Pain and numbness that spans a region encompassing the upper back, to the shoulders, to the elbows, to the wrists and the hands definitely involves one of the three major nerves that travel the length of the up... continue reading  about  I have pain and numbness across my upper back, in my shoulders, down my arms and through my elbows, wrists and hands. I know I have ulnar nerve damage of some kind. How do I start to ease the pain and numbness so I can sleep and work comfortably?

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