A synovial cyst of the spine is a fluid-filled sac that forms next to a facet joint in the spine, often in the lower back. Many cause no trouble. But when a cyst grows into the spinal canal, it can press on nerves and cause leg pain. So what is a spinal synovial cyst, what [...]
Most people think of celiac disease as a gut condition — diarrhoea, bloating, weight loss. But celiac disease can also show up in the musculoskeletal system, as joint pain, back pain, muscle aches, and weakened bones. Sometimes these are the only symptoms, with no digestive complaints at all. So how does celiac disease cause [...]
A spinal compression fracture happens when one of the vertebrae — the small bones that make up the spine — collapses or breaks. It's most often seen in older adults with osteoporosis, but it can also happen in younger people after trauma, heavy lifting, or from conditions that weaken bone. So what is a [...]
We often see people with persistent musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, or recurrent injuries. Usually, these come from overuse or minor trauma. But occasionally symptoms don't follow the expected pattern, or fail to settle with standard treatment — and then it's important to consider less common causes. One is multiple myeloma. Though rare, it can present [...]
Sacroiliac joint pain is an under-recognised cause of buttock or groin pain. Treatment usually starts with exercise therapy and activity modification. But not every case settles with simple measures, so an SI joint injection is sometimes needed. When and how is a sacroiliac joint injection performed? This is part of our wider deep buttock [...]
We're always on guard when an active young teen has low back pain. Unlike adults, who tend to get general low back pain, many active teens with back pain have a stress fracture in the back, also called spondylolysis or a pars defect. So, how does a painful pars defect present, and what do [...]
