Help for Hip Pain
Many people develop hip pain as they get older. Here’s what you can do about it.
Keeping Muscles Strong
Strong muscles are an important component of moving well and avoiding injuries. Learn more.
Keep Your Knees Healthy
Don’t let a knee injury keep you on the couch. Learn what you can do to protect these vital joints.
Bones, Joints and Muscles Topics
Ask an Expert
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
I am a vegetarian and have recent concerns about lack of calcium and risk of osteoporosis. What can I eat that is high in calcium besides dairy?
Calcium is important for your bones and teeth, but also plays a part in nerve impulses and muscle contractions. Calcium needs vary with age, and it is important to consume enough calcium every day. Besides dair... continue reading about I am a vegetarian and have recent concerns about lack of calcium and risk of osteoporosis. What can I eat that is high in calcium besides dairy?
James D. Kelly, M.D.
Novato Community Hospital
I dislocated my shoulder last year. I kept it in a sling for a few weeks, and then went through physical therapy. It has started to hurt again. I exercise regularly, but try to be careful of not reinjuring it. Anything I can do to prevent this pain?
A shoulder dislocation can create long term problems due to recurrent instability, either in the form of recurrent dislocations or recurrent subluxations. It sounds like your problem is more one of pain, howeve... continue reading about I dislocated my shoulder last year. I kept it in a sling for a few weeks, and then went through physical therapy. It has started to hurt again. I exercise regularly, but try to be careful of not reinjuring it. Anything I can do to prevent this pain?
Alison J. Cook, DPM, M.S.
Eden Medical Center
I have a 1-inch ganglion cyst on my right foot. I've had an X-ray, attempted needle aspiration, and an MRI. It causes periodic burning pain in my foot/ankle. I'm hesitant to have surgery. Any harm in just letting it be?
Theoretically, if your pain is intermittent, the aspiration pathology report was negative, your MRI showed that no important structures are being impinged, and you are being seen for frequent follow-ups, I thin... continue reading about I have a 1-inch ganglion cyst on my right foot. I've had an X-ray, attempted needle aspiration, and an MRI. It causes periodic burning pain in my foot/ankle. I'm hesitant to have surgery. Any harm in just letting it be?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What's the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis? What steps should be taken to get the correct diagnosis?
Sciatica is pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. This is typically felt on the back of the thigh and down the back of the leg. There are many potential causes of sciatica. These can include spinal ste... continue reading about What's the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis? What steps should be taken to get the correct diagnosis?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group
How does menopause affect the joints and muscles in your body?
Many women experience joint and muscle pain and stiffness around the time of menopause that they hadn't experienced before. Because there are estrogen receptors all over the body, including the joints, declinin... continue reading about How does menopause affect the joints and muscles in your body?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Group
I'd like to know if I have a hip problem or if it's something else. When I sit down and then get up and start to walk, my thigh hurts so much that it's hard for me to continue walking. The pain does go away eventually.
Hip pain is a very common problem. Fortunately for most people, this is just a minor sprain of the hip flexors (muscles) that resolves with some stretching and time. Persistent hip pain, however, is a problem t... continue reading about I'd like to know if I have a hip problem or if it's something else. When I sit down and then get up and start to walk, my thigh hurts so much that it's hard for me to continue walking. The pain does go away eventually.
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Group
I've been suffering from lower back pain for two years. I've had an MRI, ultrasounds and x-rays, but they can't find anything wrong. However I still have constant pain. What other tests can be done to find the reason for my pain?
Back pain can generally be divided into two categories: Acute (less than four weeks duration)Chronic (greater than four weeks duration)Acute back pain is very common and is one of the top reasons that patients ... continue reading about I've been suffering from lower back pain for two years. I've had an MRI, ultrasounds and x-rays, but they can't find anything wrong. However I still have constant pain. What other tests can be done to find the reason for my pain?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group
Are there certain exercises I can do after knee replacement to strengthen my knees to allow for climbing stairs easily?
Immediately after surgery you will learn to climb stairs safely using crutches. As recovery continues and you work on flexion and extension of the new knee, you will be able to climb without crutches. With the ... continue reading about Are there certain exercises I can do after knee replacement to strengthen my knees to allow for climbing stairs easily?
Joshua C. Richards, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus
I had wrist surgery in January for a ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist. It was painful and affected my quality of life. It was healing well until six weeks ago. The cyst has returned and is causing the same symptoms prior to surgery. What can I do?
Unfortunately, recurrence of a ganglion cyst is not that uncommon. The options are still the same. You can live with it if it doesn't hurt very much. You can potentially have it drained. Or, you can have it exc... continue reading about I had wrist surgery in January for a ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist. It was painful and affected my quality of life. It was healing well until six weeks ago. The cyst has returned and is causing the same symptoms prior to surgery. What can I do?
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