What is a Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease? Lumbar degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition that affects the spine. It is most commonly found in older individuals and is characterized by changes in the intervertebral discs, which are the shock absorbers of the spine. The discs become less elastic with age, and are subject to…
What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis? Lumbar Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramen that results in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerves at the level of the lumbar vertebrae….
What is Synovial Chondromatosis? Synovial chondromatosis (also called synovial osteochondromatosis) is a rare, benign (noncancerous) condition that involves the synovium, which is the thin layer of tissue that lines the joints. Synovial chondromatosis can arise in any joint in the body, but most commonly occurs in the knee. Although the condition is not cancerous, it…
What is a Osteochondritis dissecans? Osteochondritis dissecans (os-tee-o-kon-DRY-tis DIS-uh-kanz) is a joint condition in which bone underneath the cartilage of a joint dies due to lack of blood flow. This bone and cartilage can then break loose, causing pain and possibly hindering joint motion. Osteochondritis dissecans occurs most often in children and adolescents. It can…
What is a Baker’s Cyst (Popliteal Cyst)? A Baker’s cyst (or Baker cyst), also known as a popliteal cyst, is a is a fluid-filled cyst that causes swelling in the popliteal space, the space behind the knee. It causes stiffness and knee pain and a feeling of tightness behind your knee. The pain can get…
What is a Knee Effusion? Knee effusion, commonly known as “water on the knee”, occurs when excess fluid accumulates in and around your knee joint. The knee joint normally has less than 1 ounce of fluid. Injury or inflammation of the knee joint causes extra fluid to collect there. When this happens, the knee joint…
What is a Knee Bursitis? Knee bursitis is inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac (bursa) situated near your knee joint. Bursae reduce friction and cushion pressure points between your bones and the tendons, muscles and skin near your joints. There are three major bursae of the knee. Bursitis is usually not infectious, but the bursa…
What is an Elephantiasis? Pathophysiology Causes of Elephantiasis Some conditions that present with elephantiasis include:- Other causes may include:- Risk factors: Elephantiasis can affect anyone who is exposed to the parasites that cause the disease.The risk of exposure is greatest for people who:- Living With Elephantiasis: Elephantiasis can be disabling. Sometimes it’s hard to move…
What is patellar tendonitis? Patellar Tendinitis (Patellar tendinopathy or as it is commonly known patellar tendonitis or tendinitis) is an overuse injury affecting your knee joint. It is the result of your patella tendon being over-stressed. A common name for it is Jumper’s Knee. Patellar tendinitis is an injury to the tendon connecting your kneecap…
What is Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury? (PCL Injury) Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury (PCL injury) happens far less often than does injury to the knee’s more vulnerable counterpart, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The posterior cruciate ligament and ACL connect your thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia). If either ligament is torn, it might cause pain,…
