Pelvic pain is pain that occurs in the lowest portion of the abdomen and pelvis. The pain can be dull or sharp, constant or sporadic, and mild to severe. In some cases, the pain radiates to other areas of the body, particularly the lower back, buttocks, or thighs.
The movement pattern of a human on land (e.g., walking, running, or climbing) is known as its “gait.” Thus, an abnormal gait indicates that something is amiss—there is deviation from a normal movement pattern. Abnormality of gait can occur as a result of a musculoskeletal or neurological condition.
Also called retrocalcaneal bursitis, Achilles tendon bursitis is a common cause of foot pain for athletes, especially runners. People with Achilles bursitis often report pain at the back of the heel, which intensifies when running uphill or on a soft surface.
Achilles tendinitis is a common overuse injury in runners who have recently increased the intensity or duration of their workouts and in middle-aged adults who play recreational sports on the weekends. It affects the Achilles tendon—the band of tissue connecting the calf muscles to the heel.
Often seen following auto wrecks, contact sports accidents, and bicycle crashes, injuries associated with the acromioclavicular joint, which is located at the top of the shoulder, are most common among active or athletic young adults and children.
Every year, 130,000 to 140,000 people in the United States undergo a limb amputation as treatment for severe trauma, vascular disease, and tumors. While definitely a last resort, limb amputation can be life-saving. Ischemic disease of the lower extremity is the leading cause of lower limb amputations.
Ankle injuries are extremely common, and most require an x-ray to determine whether the ankle is fractured (bone is broken), sprained, or dislocated. The ankle is comprised of three bones (i.e., the tibia, fibula, and talus), a fibrous membrane known as the joint capsule, and numerous ligaments, which hold the bones in place.
An ankle neuroma occurs when the tissue surrounding a sensory nerve becomes enlarged as a result of compression or trauma. While the most common place for a neuroma to occur is in the ball of the foot, neuromas also can occur in the ankle. Symptoms include pain, tingling, and numbness.
Ankle sprains are incredibly common and occur when an ankle ligament is stretched beyond its normal range. There are three types of sprain: grade 1 indicates slight ligament stretching and some fiber damage; grade 2 indicates partial ligament tearing and some joint looseness; and grade 3 indicates a complete ligament tear.
An ankle spur is a tiny, pointed bone growth in the ankle, usually caused by inflammation associated with degenerative arthritis or tendonitis. Bone spurs may go unnoticed until an X-ray or they may cause pain, numbness, and tenderness. Ankle spur treatment focuses on decreasing inflammation and pain.