Category Archives: Upper Body

Nursemaid’s Elbow: Avoid Swinging Your Child

Young children love it when you swing them by the arms. Unfortunately, this act and other seemingly harmless ones can lead to nursemaid’s elbow—a common injury where the elbow slips out of its joint. Often seen in children aged 1 to 4 years, this injury can also occur in babies. Young children are especially susceptible […]

When Back Pain Comes Back

Exercise is often prescribed as the preferred treatment for lower back pain, and walking seems like a healthy, low-impact option. Yet patients often return to their physicians complaining that their walking program has not helped—or has even made things worse. The problem is usually not the walking itself, but the absence of other stretching and […]

Shrug Off Your Shoulder Pain

Pain across the shoulder blades or weakness in the upper arms could be symptoms of C5 radiculopathy, a condition caused by the malfunction of a nerve in the neck that affects the shoulders and arms. Symptoms include pain of the shoulders and upper arms, and weakness in those areas, especially when you attempt movement. The […]

Tee Off Against Golfer’s Elbow

You may have heard of tennis elbow, but golfer’s elbow is a less common problem that can affect not only golfers whose swings have imperfections but anyone who performs intensely repetitive tasks requiring wrist flexion, such as painting walls, hammering, typing on a keyboard or even cooking. It may also result from improper form during […]

Cracking the Pain of Spinal Compression Fracture

You lifted a bag of groceries from the floor. Now your physician says your back pain is the result of spinal compression fracture. What is that? Can it be treated? Will the pain go away? Spinal compression fracture occurs when bones of the back cannot support the demand placed on them and collapse. Sometimes multiple […]

Ganglion Cysts: Causes, Treatments, and Your Path to Recovery

Ganglion Cysts: That Ugly Lump on Your Wrist The lump on your wrist may look worrisome, but if your physician has diagnosed it as a ganglion cyst, there is no cause for alarm. Although they may grow larger, particularly after vigorous activity, these fluid-filled growths are not cancerous and will not spread. However, it is […]

How to Treat Nursemaid’s Elbow: A Comprehensive Guide

You are walking hand-in-hand with your four-year-old when a skateboarder comes charging around the corner. You yank your child out of harm’s way, but she instantly howls in pain, clutches her arm and seems unable to bend it. She may have incurred “nursemaid’s elbow.” What is Nursemaid’s Elbow? Nursemaid’s elbow, also known as radial head […]

Jersey Finger: Symptoms, Treatment, & Recovery

Jersey Finger: It’s Not What You Think If you’re experiencing finger pain or have recently suffered an injury, it’s important to understand the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for jersey finger. What is Jersey Finger? Jersey finger is a hand injury common among athletes who participate in tackle sports such as football and rugby. – […]

“Unbending” Dupuytren’s Contracture

Most often occurring in men of Northern European descent older than 40 years of age, Dupuytren’s contracture results in the inability to bend the fingers, usually the ring and little fingers. Genetic factors are thought to play a role in Dupuytren’s disease; however, currently no link has been established. Risk factors may include manual labor […]

What Is Country Club Elbow: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

What is Country Club Elbow? Country Club Elbow causes pain and inflammation on the inner side of the elbow. It is specifically linked to activities that involve repetitive wrist flexion and forearm rotation. The term “country club elbow” might bring to mind pleasant images of green lawns, polo shirts, and tall glasses of iced tea. […]