Orthopaedic diseases (meniscus rupture, carpal tunnel, etc.)

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These diseases may affect the muscles, bones, and/or joints and ligaments. Back problems and sports injuries are common orthopaedic diseases. Sports injuries usually affect the ligaments of the knee or ankle joint, and also the shoulder joint. Back and hand disorders are rarely of a purely orthopaedic nature, but are often associated with neurological diseases, such as pareses.

Back injury & hip injury

Herniated disc

A herniated disc is a spinal disease in which the gelatinous mass exits the intervertebral disc. It is often noticed when the prolapsed material presses on the nerves (spinal nerve) causing pain in the back, radiating pain in the arms or legs, and symptoms of a paralysis (paresis). In most cases, back pain subsides after a few weeks with the help of analgesics. If there is a paresis, however, therapy (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, electrotherapy) should be started immediately. Particularly severe cases may even require surgery.

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Hip arthrosis

Hip arthrosis is a disease of the hip joint that causes cartilage to break down. A distinction is made between primary and secondary arthrosis. Hip arthrosis is caused by overloading, genetic predisposition, or age-related wear. It usually responds to conservative therapy (e.g. physiotherapy/electrotherapy). The hip joint only has to be replaced artificially at a very advanced stage.

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Knee injury

Cruciate ligament rupture

A cruciate ligament rupture is an injury to one or both ligaments in the centre of the knee joint, which serve to stabilise the joint. The anterior cruciate ligament is affected more often than the posterior one. The cruciate ligament is extremely stable and thus only tears when subjected to excessive force, especially in contact sports (due to hyperextension and twisting). A combination of surgical and rehabilitative procedures is used to treat this kind of injury.

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Meniscus rupture

A meniscus rupture involves damage to the cartilage discs (menisci) in the knee joint space. This causes piercing pain, swelling, stiffening, and blockages when bending and stretching the knee. It is treated via conservative therapy or surgery. In both cases, a thorough rehabilitation phase with early physiotherapy and electrotherapy is crucial for the restoration of the knee function.

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Gonarthrosis (knee osteoarthritis)

In the case of gonarthrosis, the cartilage mass of the articular surfaces of the thigh and/or tibia is reduced. It is usually caused by age-related wear, increased use, or a previous injury. In the early stages, the arthrosis is often asymptomatic. If it subsequently causes movement limitations, they can often be treated conservatively (physiotherapy, electrotherapy). If the degradation is excessive, the joint must be replaced.

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Hand injury

Carpal tunnel syndrome

In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve in the carpal canal is compressed on the inside of the hand (nerve compression syndrome). The median nerve controls certain hand and finger muscles and provides sensation to the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. The damage may cause tingling, numbness, pain, and muscle atrophy. Generally, carpal tunnel syndrome responds well to conservative treatment. Surgery is also an option in rare cases. In any case, rehabilitation should be started as soon as possible. Exercise or electrotherapy can help prevent muscle breakdown and accelerate recovery.

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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

CRPS causes an excessive, disproportionate inflammation after an injury. This manifests itself, for example, in the form of pain, swelling, and redness, which have no relation to the extent of the injury. The disease progression is very protracted. On average, the disease lasts one year and leads to functional impairments even in the early stages. Depending on the stage of the disease, the hand function may be limited due to swelling, pain, or muscular atrophy. The appropriate therapy should thus be started as early as possible. This consists of the administration of painkillers and rehabilitative measures (physiotherapy/occupational therapy/electrotherapy), among other things.

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Symptoms

Muscle atrophy

Muscle loss, known in technical terms as muscle atrophy, is a loss of muscle mass. The muscles visibly deteriorate, which limits mobility in the affected area. Muscle atrophy may be caused by prolonged immobilisation, for example, in a plaster cast, or by neuromuscular diseases. The cause is treated where possible. However, the treatment should also involve consistent rehabilitation (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, electrotherapy, and speech therapy if required).

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Muscular imbalance

Muscular imbalance is an imbalance between two muscles that have opposite functions. These muscles may be, for example, prime movers (agonists) and opponents (antagonists). Imbalances are often caused by sitting in one position for a long time (e.g. at the workplace). The shortening of the agonist (e.g. hip flexor) causes a weakening of the antagonist (e.g. gluteus muscles). A diverse daily routine, stretching and strengthening exercises, or functional electrical stimulation may help counteract the imbalance.

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Drop foot

Drop foot is a symptom that describes a limited ability to lift one’s foot. This limitation is caused by reduced muscle strength due to paralysis (paresis). This paralysis can be caused by damage to the upper motor neuron (for example, in the case of a stroke), or the lower motor neuron (for example, in the case of a herniated disc). The treatment generally depends on the cause. If the underlying disease can be treated (e.g. intervertebral disc surgery), then it is treated first. If the weakness persists, consistent strengthening therapy (physiotherapy, electrotherapy) should be started immediately.

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Orthopaedics

The term orthopaedics derives from Greek. Orthopaedics is concerned with diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Back injury & hip injury

Herniated disc

Hip arthrosis

Knee injury

Cruciate ligament rupture

Meniscus rupture

Gonarthrosis (knee osteoarthritis)

Hand injury

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Symptoms

Muscle atrophy

Muscular imbalance

Drop foot