Orthopedic injuries include any injury to the musculoskeletal system. Often, these injuries relating to the bones and joints are a result of an accident or trauma to the body.
Common Orthopedic Injury Categories
Injuries that can occur in most joints of the body, include some of the following:
Sometimes, though, injuries can become more common with getting older. Age alone can be a risk factor for orthopedic injuries and other conditions seen by orthopedic specialists. For example, broken hips, compression fractures and osteoporosis are much more common in elderly patients. As people age, their bones tend to lose density, which makes them more prone to breaks or compression fractures.
Some common acute orthopedic injuries are:
- Sprained ankle – Sprained ankles often occur while playing sports or engaging in high-impact activities or activities that involve a lot of quick twists, turns, or pivots.
- ACL tear – An ACL tear involves tearing the anterior cruciate ligament, which is the ligament that runs diagonally through the middle of the knee. The ACL helps provide stability and keeps certain bones in place. When the ACL tears, it is difficult to bend your knee and may lead to instability when standing. ACL tears often occur during activities that involve quick stops and starts or turns.
- Meniscus tear – The meniscus helps your knee turn and carry weight. If you twist or turn too quickly while your foot is in place and your knee is bent, you could tear your meniscus. It’s a common injury in professional athletes, and elderly people are also
- Plantar fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. It is caused by repeatedly straining the plantar fascia, which is the ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes and supports the foot arch. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis may include pain, weakness, and inflammation or swelling in the affected foot. It can occur in one or both feet.
- Labral tear (shoulder dislocation) – A labral tear is commonly known as a dislocated shoulder. It’s usually an easy injury to diagnose because it causes severe pain and makes the shoulder or arm look out of place. Accidents, contact sports, and falls can all cause shoulder dislocation.
- Rotator cuff tear – Rotator cuff tears may be acute, caused by shoulder injury, or chronic, due to degeneration of the shoulder tendon over time. They cause pain and severe stiffness when attempting to raise your arm or move your shoulder. Repetitive rotations of the shoulder in a short period of time can also strain the shoulder ligaments and lead to a rotator cuff tear.
- Tennis elbow – Overuse of the muscles in the arm, forearm, and hand can result in a condition called tennis elbow, which causes pain in the elbow. It is also known as golfer’s elbow.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome – carpal tunnel syndrome results from a pinched nerve in the wrist. There are many health conditions that can lead to this condition, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, wrist injuries, and more. If you experience recurring numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in your fingers, you should contact an orthopedic specialist for an evaluation.
- Distal radius fracture (wrist fracture) – Wrist fractures often occur after a fall on an outstretched hand. Treatment options include immobilizing the wrist with a cast or, in some more serious cases, surgery.
- Stress fracture – A stress fracture is an injury that results from overuse. When muscles get tired and weak, their ability to protect the bones from impact is reduced. When the muscles and bones are subjected to the same types of impact over and over again and the muscles are weak, the bones bear much of the impact, and they can crack or fracture.
- Compression fracture – Compression fractures are tiny cracks in the bone that can lead to bone collapse. They are most common in the bones that support the spinal cord, and the leading cause of compression fractures is osteoporosis.
Beaumont’s Sports and Orthopedic Injury Clinics offer specialized treatment on a walk-in basis and you'll be able to get everything from same-day exams and imaging to surgical referrals and expedited access to specialists.
Connect with our orthopedic specialists
Whether you’re seeking help with an existing condition, you would like a diagnosis, or you are looking for help with recovery and rehabilitation after an injury, Beaumont has orthopedic specialists who offer the types of treatment and services you need.
If you have an injury to your bones or joints that needs to be cared for right away, contact your nearest Beaumont Emergency Center. We also have an Orthopedic Rehabilitation Clinic and a Physical Therapy Department to help you recover from orthopedic injuries.
Call us at 800-633-7377 to make an appointment, or request an appointment online.