Conditions

Joint pain, stiffness or reduced mobility can be signs of arthritis. Most arthritis causes pain and swelling in the joints. Over time, swollen joints can become severely damaged.

Poor-fitting, narrow shoes cause toes to be compressed and can lead to bunions, but patients can treat bunions by having them removed. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome starts gradually with a slight aching in the wrist that can extend to the hand and forearm. Patients can treat carpal tunnel syndrome with a variety of procedures, including endoscopic carpel tunnel release surgery.

Hammer toe usually affects the second toe, although it may also affect the other toes. The toe goes into a claw-like position.

Heel pain is extremely common and often begins without injury. Inflammation of the connective tissue on the sole of the foot (plantar fascia) where it attaches to the heel bone is the most common cause of pain. It is often associated with a bony protrusion (heel spur) seen on X-ray studies.

If you break, sprain or otherwise injure a bone, the symptoms may not always be clear. The area may be bruised or swollen, even if at first glance it is unclear whether there is a fracture. Patients can also experience numbing, tingling or even paralysis below the fracture. Sprains can occur in any joint, and even though the joint continues to function normally, there should be some swelling, pain and tenderness.

Anyone can develop osteoporosis, which makes bones brittle and more likely to break, but it is more common in older women. This disease progresses silently, and, in fact, most people remain undiagnosed until a bone breaks.