Nancy L. Johnson-Rauen, PT, DPT

Joint problems include bursitis and arthritis. Bursitis is the inflammation of a fluid-filled sac cushion on the outside of a joint, causing symptoms including pain and swelling. Arthritis is the inflammation and damage of a joint due to wear and tear or disease. There are several treatments for arthritis, but if the damage progresses far enough, joint replacement may be necessary. In joint replacement, a metal or plastic implant is surgically placed within the joint to make movement easier.

Bone problems include scoliosis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, making the normally straight spine look like a 'C' or 'S.' It is treated with braces or surgery. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to weaken and break easily. It's most common in women, especially older women. Fully half of all women over 65 have osteoporosis. Fractures are any break in the bone. They can be a simple crack or a severe and complicated shatter. Osteoporosis causes fractures in people who have it, but other causes are trauma (such as a fall) or overuse.

Tendon and ligament problems most often result from injury or overuse. Two good examples are ligament tears and tendonitis. The most common ligament tear is the ACL tear in the knee. This ligament supports and stabilizes the knee and is most often torn during sports activities. Tendonitis happens when a tendon, which connects muscles and bones together, becomes irritated and inflamed. This happens most often in older patients who push their bodies too far, leading to pain and swelling. Treatment for both tendon and ligament problems usually includes rest, ice, and supporting the area to let it heal.

Pain and numbness problems can be caused by overuse, disease, an injury, or a compressed nerve. Lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are two of the most common conditions patients encounter. Lower back pain may be caused by sore muscles that have been overworked, or an injury to the disks separating the vertebrae in the spine. Lower back pain usually goes away on its own within a few days, but it may require medical treatment depending on the cause. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve at the base of the palm becomes trapped or pinched. Symptoms include tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand. Treatment involves rest and sometimes steroid injections.

Because the musculoskeletal system involves so much of the body, problems here can be incredibly varied in their type and severity. Some musculoskeletal problems will go away on their own or only require rest, while others may require medication, physical therapy, or even surgery.

TMJ can cause a wide variety of symptoms related to the movement of the jaw. They can include earaches, headaches, an inability to open the mouth very far, painful clicking or popping noises when chewing or talking, and stiffness or pain in the jaw, face, or neck. Sometimes TMJ symptoms seem to go in cycles, getting better or going away for a while only to come back again. Symptoms can be mild and not very bothersome, or so persistent and painful as to be almost debilitating.

There can be many potential causes of TMJ. An injury or trauma to the jaw, arthritis, or grinding the teeth can all contribute to TMJ. The temporomandibular joint contains a small disc of cartilage that allows it to move smoothly, and this disc can become dislocated or torn. Sometimes the cause is unknown. There are no standard tests for TMJ, and it can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

Mild cases of TMJ may benefit from self-care such as eating soft foods, practicing stress management techniques, and applying ice packs to the jaw. NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen, can be purchased without a prescription and work to reduce pain and inflammation. Some dentists and occupational therapists can suggest stretching techniques for the jaw which may help relieve stiffness. More serious cases may require a form of splinting called a stabilization splint or bite plate, which helps reduce pressure on the joint. Extreme cases may benefit from arthroscopic surgery on the joint.