Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. It can cause swelling and pain at the back of the heel and make walking difficult.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis in which the joints of the spine become inflamed, in particular where the spine attaches to the pelvis. It usually develops in young adults and causes pain and stiffness, especially in the lower back. Eventually, fusion of vertebrae in the spine can o...

Arthritis refers to inflammation of joints. This can lead to stiffness, swelling and pain and may be due to a joint condition, an infection or an autoimmune condition. Most arthritis is chronic, however adhering to treatment plans and some modification of activities can help maintain an active li...

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, leading to pain and difficulty moving the joint. There are many different types of arthritis that can affect children. These conditions may also be called juvenile arthritis.

Avascular necrosis describes the death of bone tissue that occurs when the blood supply to an area of bone is cut off. It causes severe damage to the bone and is also known as ischemic bone necrosis, aseptic necrosis, bone infarction and osteonecrosis.

Back pain is a common symptom of different underlying conditions such as arthritis and muscular sprains. Most back pain improves with appropriate treatment. However, prevention through good posture and safe lifting is equally important.

Baker's cyst is an abnormal swelling at the back of the knee due to a build-up of fluid within a bursa. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction at a joint. Injury or disease causes this condition which can be painful and reduce movement at the joint.

A bunion forms when the big toe changes its normal alignment, so that it points inwards towards the second toe. This misalignment puts pressure on the joint at the base of the big toe and a bony lump can form on the outer side of the toe where it meets the foot. Bunions can become red, swollen an...

Bursitis is swelling and irritation of your bursa. Bursa are small sacs filled with synovial fluid that help reduce the friction when tendons or ligaments rub against other structures, such as bones, muscles and skin.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that causes pain, numbness and tingling in the fingers and hands. It is caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist. The condition can be made worse by certain physical activities.

In cervical radiculopathy, a nerve in your neck (the cervical spine) becomes pinched. This can affect nerves that travel to your arms, shoulder and hands, causing weakness, numbness, pins and needles or pain.

Costochondritis is pain associated with inflammation of joints in the rib cage where cartilage meets the bone of the ribs or the breastbone. It is a common cause of chest pain and is referred to as Tietze syndrome when there is swelling around the affected joints.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is a range of conditions in which the development of the hip in an infant does not occur normally. It can range from relatively mild looseness in the joint through to full dislocation of the hip.

The shoulder joint is surrounded by a fluid-filled capsule that holds fluid within the joint space. In frozen shoulder, the capsule thickens and swells due to the formation of bands of scar tissue within it. The joint becomes inflamed, painful and stiff and moves less freely.

Gout is an acutely painful condition that usually affects the big toe. It occurs when uric acid crystals form in certain joints, leading to inflammation, pain and swelling. Medications and changes in behaviour can reduce the likelihood of future gout episodes.

Heel pain is a very common complaint that can develop suddenly or gradually. Although many people will only experience mild and short-lived pain, for some this pain can become debilitating. Heel pain can affect anyone, but is more common in people who are aged over 40, obese, who stand up for wor...

A hip fracture is a serious and often painful condition that requires immediate medical attention. It commonly occurs in older people due to thin bones and a tendency for falls. Often surgery is needed to assist with recovery.

Ligaments are bands of strong, flexible tissue that connect bones or cartilage, providing stability to joints. Knee ligament injuries can occur when your knee is hit forcefully, you land on it badly, or it sharply changes direction. Symptoms include swelling and pain, reduced movement, a popping ...

A joint is where two or more bones connect. Joint replacement is the surgical removal of a damaged joint and its replacement with an artificial – or prosthetic – joint. Prosthetic joints can be made of metal, plastic, or a mix of both.

Knee pain is a common symptom experienced by most people at some point. It can be caused by an injury, degenerative disease or other underlying conditions. In most cases, resting the affected knee, elevating the leg and applying ice and gentle compression can help lessen the pain.

Osgood Schlatter disease is a condition that can cause pain in the knees of children and adolescents. It arises when the patellar tendon, which attaches the kneecap to the shinbone, becomes too tight, leading to inflammation and damage to the shinbone, in the area just below the kneecap.

Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage in synovial joints, usually in the hands, big toes, knees, hips and spine. As cartilage breaks down, bones in the joints rub against one another, causing pain, stiffness, swelling and bony spurs. Treatment options are available to help manage symptoms.

Osteomalacia is a condition in which your bones become soft because of a lack of vitamin D. It can make bones prone to fractures and cause widespread bone pain and tenderness. Osteomalacia can be effectively treated by increasing vitamin D levels in the diet and getting regular sunlight exposure.

Osteoporosis occurs when bones become brittle and are more easily fractured. It is more common in women, particularly after menopause when oestrogen levels are low, as oestrogen helps maintain bone mass. Numerous treatment options are available for osteoporosis.

Pectus excavatum, also known as ‘funnel chest’ or ‘sunken chest’, is a deformity of the chest wall present from birth. The connective tissue that connects the breastbone to the ribs grows too much, so the middle of the chest appears sunken.

Perthes’ disease (also known as Legg-Calve-Perthes’ disease) occurs in children when blood supply is disrupted to the top of the thighbone (femur), leading to pain and damage in the hip joint.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition which causes pain in the underside of the heel. It occurs when the plantar fascia, the connective tissue running between the heel and the ball of the foot, becomes irritated, particularly at the point where it attaches to the heel.

Polymyalgia rheumatica, or PMR, is inflammation of the shoulders and hips that causes pain and stiffness, often after sleep or rest. It is most often found in people over 50 years of age. PMR can be treated with low doses of corticosteroid medication.

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in people with psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that can affect the skin, nails and joints. In psoriatic arthritis, one or more joints become stiff, swollen and painful. Early treatment makes living with the condition much easier.

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a disorder in which blood vessels suddenly constrict and temporarily cut off blood supply to the fingers or other extremities. It generally occurs in response to cold, stress or emotional upset and can be painful.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the lining of joints, resulting in swelling, pain, stiffness and, over time, gradual joint damage. Fortunately, early treatment and appropriate physical activity can improve quality of life.

The rotator cuff refers to a group of four muscles and their tendons, which form a supportive cuff where the upper arm bone joins the shoulder bone. Rotator cuff injury is a general term used to describe irritation, inflammation, or a tear to any of these muscles or tendons.

The sciatic nerve travels from the spinal cord and down the back of the legs. Sciatica occurs when the nerve becomes irritated through injury, arthritis, over-use of muscles, poor posture or by a 'slipped' disc and is often felt as a shooting pain down the rear part of one leg, or as a burning pa...

Scoliosis is the sideways curve of the spine. It is a common condition, affecting about 2-3% of the population to some degree. Early intervention can help lessen the severity of scoliosis, using physiotherapy, good posture practice and possibly a brace.

Septic arthritis is an infection of a joint, making it red, warm and painful. The condition requires immediate treatment, including high doses of antibiotics. If not treated promptly, it can cause permanent damage to the joint.

Shoulder pain is a common symptom. As the body’s most mobile joint, the shoulder comes under a great deal of stress throughout a lifetime. An overuse of shoulder muscles and tendons is a common cause of shoulder pain. Modifying certain activities can help prevent further shoulder pain.

Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal that can cause varying symptoms, depending on the location and severity of the narrowing. Symptoms may include numbness, weakness or pain in the limbs, as well as bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction. Treatment can include physical ther...

Spondylolisthesis is caused when one of the vertebrae of the spine shifts out of position. It can cause back pain and stiffness. It is different to a slipped disc, which occurs when a disc in between two vertebrae is damaged.

Talipes occurs when a baby is born with a foot and ankle twisted out of shape or position. One of the more well-known forms of talipes is clubfoot (talipes equinovarus). However, there are other forms of the condition.

Tennis elbow is caused by repetitive hand and wrist movements that lead to damage of the outer elbow tendon. It presents as pain over the outer elbow, limited movement and weakness of the forearm muscles. Avoiding repetitive movements or taking frequent breaks can help prevent it.

Torticollis is the involuntary twisting of the neck to one side due to painful spasms in the neck muscles. Also known as ‘wry neck’, it can occur at any age. Causes can include inflammation, infection or, in babies, an abnormal head posture in utero. In adults, almost all cases of torticollis res...