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
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, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I've started running to get back into shape and lose some extra pounds, but now I've got shin splints. What causes this, how can I get rid of them, and also how do I prevent them from coming back?
Shin splints are very common, especially when someone has just started a new exercise program or has increased their overall workout. Shin splints are actually best thought of as stress injuries (microscopic) o... continue reading about I've started running to get back into shape and lose some extra pounds, but now I've got shin splints. What causes this, how can I get rid of them, and also how do I prevent them from coming back?
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?
David S H Chang, M.D.
Surgery Center Division
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?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I'm 56 and play racquetball two times a week, speed walk 6+ miles at a time, and play volleyball. My knees ache after I play. I ice after activities and have been taking Cellaplex for two months. How do I know if I am damaging my knees?
It is excellent that you are active. In fact, a New England Journal study showed that people who are active actually do better in terms of their arthritis versus people who are not active. This is counter to wh... continue reading about I'm 56 and play racquetball two times a week, speed walk 6+ miles at a time, and play volleyball. My knees ache after I play. I ice after activities and have been taking Cellaplex for two months. How do I know if I am damaging my knees?
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?
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?
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
The arches of my feet can be really tight and achy now that I'm in my 40s. I love to wear high heels to work, but I'm also a long distance runner. Is my love for heels AND running mutually exclusive?
Perhaps not if you choose to pursue both in moderation. However, if you spend long hours in high heels, then you may continue to find long distance running difficult. Are you willing to drop down to two-inch he... continue reading about The arches of my feet can be really tight and achy now that I'm in my 40s. I love to wear high heels to work, but I'm also a long distance runner. Is my love for heels AND running mutually exclusive?
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?
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