If you notice increasing pain with activities as simple as opening a jar or turning a key, you may be experiencing the effects of thumb arthritis, also known as basal joint arthritis. This condition is common in postmenopausal women, with nearly 25 percent of women eventually developing pain and...
Pain, along with swelling, reddening, and a sensation of heat, is a common symptom of inflammation, the body’s immune response to injury. When the body is under stress, it releases cortisol, a steroid produced naturally by the adrenal gland that suppresses the immune response, reducing...
Often caused by a fall, a direct blow, or a sports-related injury, a break in one of the 27 bones of the hand can affect your ability to complete everyday tasks.
Common signs of a broken hand include:
- Bruising
- Deformity, such as a crooked finger
- Inability to...
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It helps you walk, run, and jump. But when the tendon gets stretched too far, it can rupture, resulting in a complete or partial tear. This is usually due to a sudden and strong force on the tendon, which can happen when you jump, pivot on...
A hammertoe is a deformity of the second, third, or fourth toe. This condition causes a bend in the toe’s middle joint, which makes the toe resemble a hammer—hence the name.
Hammertoes can be caused by a muscle imbalance as well as wearing shoes that don’t fit properly or have a narrow...