OA is a common condition that causes joints to become stiff and painful. Millions of people have this condition,18 so, if you have been diagnosed with it, you are not alone! OA causes the smooth cartilage that covers and protects the ends of your bones to break down. In severe cases, your cartilage thins so much that your bones may begin to rub against each other. The lubricating ability of the natural fluid in your knee diminishes, and the cartilage no longer cushions the joint as well as it once did. 18 This results in stiffness, swelling, and pain that can make walking difficult. Your family history, age, weight, and any knee injuries you may have had can all play a role in developing OA of the knee.
Ankle sprains and other torn ligaments and soft-tissue injuries lead to significant down
time and lost work-hours.
Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries with approximately 23,000 people each day seeking medical attention in the USA.
A survey of emergency room visits found an overall incidence rate of 2.15 per 1000 person-years in the United States.
• Ligament is stretched • Minimal pain and swelling • Minimal functional impairment • No weight bearing difficulties
• Ligament is partially torn • Some pain & swelling • Some functional impairment • Some weight bearing difficulties
• Ligament is completely torn • Severe pain & swelling • Severe functional impairment • Almost complete weight bearing difficulties
• Slight stretching and microscopic tearing of the ligament fibers • Mild tenderness and swelling around the ankle
• Partial tearing of the ligament • Moderate tenderness and swelling around the ankle • If the doctor moves the ankle in certain ways, there is an abnormal looseness of the ankle joint
• Complete tear of the ligament • Significant tenderness and swelling around the ankle • If the doctor pulls or pushes on the ankle joint in certain movements, substantial instability occurs