Pain in the outer part of the midfoot is common among runners and other athletes. One rare but important cause of lateral mid-foot pain is os peroneum syndrome. So how do we diagnose os peroneum syndrome, and what can we do about it? Os peroneum syndrome is one of several peroneal tendon problems — [...]
A paralabral cyst — also called a ganglion cyst — is a fluid-filled collection arising from the shoulder joint. Most cause no symptoms at all, and only matter when they press on nearby structures such as a nerve. So what is a paralabral cyst, and does it need treatment? What is a paralabral [...]
The subtalar joint is often forgotten when people present with ankle pain. Yet it's a common site of fractures, sprains, and early arthritis — all of which cause ankle and foot pain. Treatment is complex and sometimes involves an ultrasound-guided subtalar joint injection. So, when and how should we perform one? What is the [...]
Synovial tissue lines the knee joint and produces the fluid that lubricates it. A plica is a thickening of this synovial lining that separates the knee into compartments. These folds form in the fetus and shrink during the second trimester — and in most people, they shrink away or stay small. But in some, [...]
Sesamoiditis — inflammation of the sesamoid bones of the big toe — is a common cause of big toe pain in runners. It's important to distinguish it from other problems affecting the big toe, such as big toe arthritis or gout, as well as from a sesamoid stress fracture or a bipartite sesamoid. So [...]
Midfoot arthritis is a common cause of foot pain in middle-aged and older people. The midfoot connects the heel to the front of the foot, so arthritis here can be particularly disabling for active people. So how do we diagnose midfoot arthritis, and what can be done about it? What is the midfoot? [...]
More than 500,000 cortisone injections are given each year for musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis and tendonitis. Cortisone reduces inflammation effectively, yet it's often stigmatised. So are cortisone injections bad for you — and when are they genuinely worth having? What is cortisone? Cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory drug, used to reduce inflammation in [...]
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of hip arthritis. Cartilage in the joint progressively wears away, exposing bone and causing inflammation and pain. Most cases occur after 50, but some people develop hip arthritis in their 20s and 30s. Simple treatments come first. When they fail, injections for hip arthritis offer real relief without [...]
Arthritis in the wrist is a common cause of wrist pain as we age. The cartilage in the radiocarpal joint wears away — wrist osteoarthritis — leading to bone rubbing on bone. So what are the symptoms of wrist arthritis, and what should you do about it? What causes arthritis in the wrist? [...]
Cubital tunnel syndrome is a nerve pressure problem causing pain, numbness, and pins and needles. Many people have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, where the nerve is compressed at the wrist. Cubital tunnel syndrome — sometimes called elbow tunnel syndrome — is caused by pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow. So how [...]
