Osteoarthritis, the most common type of joint disease, is a heterogeneous group of conditions that result in common histopathologic and radiologic changes. It is a degenerative disorder that results from the biochemical breakdown of articular cartilage in the synovial joints. Although osteoarthritis is thought to be largely due to excessive...

Ball and socket joints are multiaxial, synovial joints. They are lubricated by a clear, sticky fluid called synovia. Description Also called spheroidal joints, the ball and socket joints are formed by the rounded or "ball-shaped" head of one bone fitting into the cup-like cavity of another bone. The articulating bone fits into...

Despite the inherent stability of the joints of the thumb, the vulnerable anatomic position of the first phalangis often subjects the joints to mechanical strain that leads to subluxation or dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal (IP) joints.
Despite the inherent stability of the joints of the thumb, the vulnerable...

This 5 page article describes what joints do, how they work, how joints can become unstable, and how joints are lubricated.

There are three main forms of toe abnormalities in the human foot:
* Claw toes
* Hammer toes
* Mallet toes
A claw toe involves abnormal positions of all three joints in the toe. It consists of an extension contracture with dorsal...

Synonyms and related keywords: ankylosing spondylitis, Marie-Strümpell arthritis, Bechterew disease, spondyloarthritis, spondyloarthropathy, chronic inflammatory conditions, AS, inflammation of the joints, inflammation of the tendons, inflammation of the ligaments, iritis, uveitis, aortitis, pulmonary fibrosis, amyloidosis, inflammatory bowel disease
Author: Alan Schaffert, MD, Past Chief of Staff, Doctor's Medical Center of Modesto;...

In the appendicular skeleton, one is mostly concerned with the diarthrodial synovial joints. While this type of joint is also found in the axial skeleton (the facet (a.k.a. aphophyseal) joints and portions of the sacroiliac joints), there are also many amphiarthrodial joints which are not synovial (the intervertebral disc joints)....

Joints serve as links between structures; in this case, bones in the human body. There are numerous joints in the body that act to stabilize and control bony segments. One example is the knee joint, which joins the femur and tibia. This joint allows the lower leg to swing freely,...

A gliding joint is a synovial joint in which the bony surfaces that the joint holds together are flat, or only slightly rounded. (A synovial joint is the living material that holds two or more bones together but also permits these bones to move relative to each other.) A more...

Definition Hammer, claw, and mallet toe surgery refers to a series of surgical procedures performed to correct deformed toes. Purpose There are three main forms of toe abnormalities in the human foot: hammer toes, claw toes, and mallet toes. A hammer toe, also called contracted toe, bone spur, rotated toe, or deformed toe,... Expert

may present w/ signs of localized inflammation or pain, elevated skin temp, ect. - tends to occur after thr, spinal injury, head injury (11%), burns, bruises; - Events leading to HO; - mesenchymal...

the metatarsophalangeal joints are the most commonly affected portion of the rheumatoid foot - typical forefoot deformities are hallux valgus, hyperextension of MP joints, and flexion deformities of the IP joints of the lesser toes

Flowers & Wippermann
Synonyms and related keywords: costochondritis, costal chondritis, costochondral joints, costosternal joints, costal cartilage, chest pain, fibrositis, Tietze syndrome
Background In contrast to myocardial ischemia or infarction, costochondritis is a benign cause of chest pain and is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis. Although the term costochondritis often is used...

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition in which the articular cartilage on the surfaces of the bones that form joints progressively deteriorates. The terms osteoarthrosis and OA are often used interchangeably. Although inflammation is generally absent in this degenerative condition, most physicians commonly refer to it as OA. Hence, this...

A triple arthrodesis consists of the surgical fusion of the talocalcaneal (TC), talonavicular (TN), and calcaneocuboid (CC) joints in the foot. The primary goals of a triple arthrodesis are to relieve pain from arthritic, deformed, or unstable joints. Other important goals are the correction of deformity and creation of a...

Tips on how to reduce stress on the joints in daily life through diet, exercise, and body positions.

Joints Home Page

Abstract only
The study developed a radiographic atlas for the classification of osteoarthritis (OA) in commonly affected joints of the foot based on observations of osteophytes and joint space narrowing.
Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2007 Nov;15(11)
Menz HB, Munteanu SE, Landorf KB, Zammit GV, Cicuttini FM.

This section covers information about back pain, joint replacements and other common ailments which affect the bones and joints.
Medic8 is a leading UK medical information website for healthcare professionals and consumers around the world. All content has been reviewed by a qualified UK doctor prior to listing.

Our practice is committed to excellence in orthopaedic care and surgery. We provide state-of-the-art services, including hip, knee, and shoulder replacement; arthroscopic surgery; and fracture care. Our goal is to restore maximum movement and function as quickly as possible with the least risk. Conservative treatment is exhausted before surgery is...

Acute polyarthritis has a very wide differential diagnosis, presenting significant diagnostic difficulties. Where oligoarthritis (<5 joints affected) is the presenting feature, some of the causes of acute monoarthritis must be considered, the most important of which not to miss is septic arthritis (particularly that due to gonococcal infection which may...

Facts about this hereditary disease which may affect the joints, including symptoms and treatment.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of hereditary disorders that affects mainly the skin and joints, but other organs as well. EDS results in weakness and/or excessive flexibility of the connective tissues of the body. People with... Expert

A painful wrist causes disability and decreased function of the upper extremity. The articulation afforded the hand by the wrist is important for mobility, strength, and dexterity. The pain produced by arthropathy of the wrist causes the patient to use a wrist splint to decrease pain. However, loss of mobility...

Orthopaedic companies have focused almost exclusively on large bone trauma surgery and large joint surgery. This emphasis on large bones & joints has left the upper and lower extremities market both unconsolidated and unfocused. Although the small bone & joint market is a significant part of the overall orthopaedic industry,...

Certain joints of the body have only a few blood vessels that bring in blood. One of these joints is the hip. This document will describe what happens when this blood supply is damaged and results in what is called avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip.
This guide will help you...