The thigh bone, or femur, is a very strong bone, and a great deal of energy is required to break it. That is why most femur fractures occur with motor vehicle accidents or falls from height. The signs of a femur fracture are usually pretty...
Before the surgery, the area around your knee must be free from any infections, irritations or swelling. You need to have a physical to make sure your body is ready. You may need to stop taking some of your medications and delay dental treatments...
Deep venous thrombosis, or DVT, is a known complication of knee fractures. "Knee fractures" refer specifically to fractures of the distal femur, patella, or proximal tibia. These fractures are associated with increased clotting risk due to the...
Corticosteroids, medications that mimic the action of the cortisone, a hormone made by the adrenal glands, reduce inflammation. People with diseases that cause inflammation, such as autoimmune diseases and asthma, often take corticosteroids for...
Congenital hip dislocation, more commonly called developmental dysplasia of the hip, or DDH, may occur at birth or may not develop for several months. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint, with the head of the femur, the long leg bone, fitting...
The skeletal system is made up of 200 to 300 bones, some of which support musculature and posture, or protect essential organs. Bone tissue constantly grows and develops throughout life, with some cell types continually depositing new bone tissue,...
A burning sensation in the thigh muscle during running could be indicative of several factors. The thigh muscle, or quadriceps, bears a significant amount of stress from every stride taken during a run. This compounded stress can sometimes lead to...
The meniscus -- a little crescent-moon shock absorber -- is a vital part of the knee's cushioning system. These pieces of cartilage become worn with daily use and can rip with injury. The best supplements to take after meniscus surgery will...
An anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, injury can be devastating to any person, often cutting athletic careers short and requiring surgery. The ACL connects the femur to the tibia in the front of your knee. An ACL tear is typically a noncontact...
Knee joint replacement procedures have rapidly become one of the most frequently performed, as well as life-enhancing, surgeries. Many people who suffer the ravages of advanced degenerative arthritis can receive much-needed pain relief, together...
Calcium is the major component of bone that confers strength. As such, low calcium levels can lead to osteoporosis, a disruption of the architectural framework of bone that weakens it. Osteoporosis can be prevented by increasing your dietary...
Many consider football an exciting sport to watch or to play, but, as a contact sport in which players run into or tackle each other, it often results in significant injuries. Severe injuries, such as broken legs, must be carefully treated. A...
The knee is a major synovial hinge joint in the leg. Located at the articulation between the femur and tibia in the lower leg and the femur in the upper leg, the knee is a crucial joint in human locomotion. The stability of the knee joint is...
Running enhances health and wellness in many ways: It burns fat, boosts your cardiovascular system, relieves stress and strengthens your legs. But these benefits can sometimes come at a price, as running taxes the joints and muscles of the lower...
If your child is walking with toes pointed in, it may be due to hips that rotate inward. This condition is called femoral anteversion. Your child also will have trouble sitting cross-legged if she has this condition but will easily be able to sit...
Stress fractures occur from over use or over stressing your bones, not from an injury or accident. A stress fracture of the femur is a fracture of the thigh bone, the longest and strongest bone in your body. A stress fracture is like a hairline...
Arthritis of the knee joints may occur as a result of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis (arthritis due to knee injury). Each of these conditions can cause damage to cartilage and joint alignment, resulting in pain...
A torn anterior cruciate ligament can result in an unstable knee. Depending on symptoms and activity, the surgeon may present several options to repair or replace a torn ACL. The replacement options include using the patient's knee tendons or...
The hip joint is a synovial, diarthrotic, ball-and-socket joint. This means a person has a slippery membrane and joint fluid lubricating and nourishing his hip joint, permitting movement about all axes. The ball-and-socket characteristic of a...
Isokinetic exercise in the rehab setting is a crucial tool in strengthening the muscles and ligaments of a knee that is recovering from an injury. The resistance of the machine is continually adjusted to ensure the speed stays constant, or...
The hip is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the human body and is an important joint in overall mobility. Arthritis of the hip joint, hip fracture and other conditions can limit mobility and cause pain, and when conservative measures...
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, and is highly mobile. The socket is called the acetabulum, located on the pelvis and covered almost completely with cartilage. The head of your femur, or thigh bone, is the ball and fits into the...
The sport of hiking is no walk in the park. You spend hours climbing and descending hills, which requires strength and endurance. However, even the fittest athletes can suffer swollen knees after hiking. The constant flexing of the knee is often...
A torn ACL is tearing the anterior cruciate ligament, the piece of tissue that connects your femur bone to the tibia bone. Treatment may involve surgery to repair the tear, after which rehabilitation through physical therapy may be recommended....
The femur, the bone between your hip and knee joints, is the longest bone in your skeleton. Femur fractures are common in children under the age of 5 because their bones are quite soft and falls are frequent. Femur fractures in infants, however,...
Especially in older patients, complications can be life-threatening. Hospitalization and surgery are usually required. Without surgery, patients cannot walk or even sit. As a result, they become prone to developing blood clots, bed sores,...
The knee is an important joint in your body that allows you to walk. The knee is actually the largest joint in your body and its most susceptible to trauma, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Unfortunately, if this...
Broken legs are usually significant injuries. Learn how to diagnose and treat a broken leg in this medical video.
