Condition Library

A tear in one or more of the four rotator cuff tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Tears range from partial-thickness to full-thickness and may be acute (traumatic) or degenerative (chronic overuse).

Pain with overhead activity or reaching behind the back; weakness with arm elevation; night pain that disrupts sleep; shoulder stiffness and limited range of motion.

MRI is the gold standard — shows tendon discontinuity, fluid signal, and degree of muscle atrophy. Ultrasound offers dynamic real-time evaluation. X-ray shows bony anatomy and rules out arthritis.

Physical therapy, PRP injection, and activity modification for partial tears; arthroscopic repair for full-thickness tears; reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for massive irreparable tears with arthritis.

A tear in the fibrocartilage meniscus of the knee — either the medial (inner) or lateral (outer) meniscus. Tears can be acute (twisting injury) or degenerative (gradual wear). Pattern varies: radial, horizontal, bucket-handle, or complex.

Joint-line pain; swelling (often delayed 24–48 hours); locking or catching; difficulty with deep knee flexion; giving-way sensation with pivoting activities.

MRI demonstrates signal change within the meniscus extending to an articular surface. X-rays assess joint space narrowing and alignment. Weight-bearing films help evaluate for concurrent arthritis.

Conservative management (RICE, PT, PRP) for stable partial tears; arthroscopic meniscus repair (preferred in younger patients) or partial meniscectomy based on tear pattern, vascular zone, and patient activity level.

A rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament — the primary stabilizer preventing anterior tibial translation. Most commonly torn with non-contact deceleration, pivoting, or landing mechanics. Associated meniscus and cartilage injury is common.

A "pop" felt or heard at time of injury; immediate swelling (hemarthrosis); instability with cutting or pivoting; inability to return to play; positive Lachman and anterior drawer examination.

MRI shows ACL discontinuity, bone contusions (Segond fracture pattern), and associated meniscal or chondral injury. X-ray rules out fracture at time of acute injury.

ACL reconstruction is indicated for active patients and athletes — autograft (patellar tendon, hamstring, quadriceps tendon) or allograft options based on patient age and activity. Rehabilitation spans 9–12 months to return to sport.

A tear in the fibrocartilaginous labrum that lines the acetabular rim of the hip socket. Often associated with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) — either cam, pincer, or mixed morphology. Common in athletes and active adults.

Deep groin or anterior hip pain; pain with prolonged sitting, pivoting, or flexion; clicking or catching sensation in the hip; limited hip internal rotation; pain radiating to the lateral hip or buttock.

MR arthrogram (with intra-articular gadolinium) is most sensitive for labral tears. Plain X-rays (AP pelvis, Dunn lateral) assess bony morphology — alpha angle for cam lesion, crossover sign for pincer.

Activity modification, PT, and intra-articular injection for initial management; hip arthroscopy for labral repair and FAI correction (cam resection, acetabuloplasty) in appropriate candidates.

Degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling, osteophyte formation, and synovial inflammation. Affects the knee, hip, and shoulder most commonly in orthopedic practice.

Activity-related joint pain that improves with rest; morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes; joint enlargement and crepitus; decreased range of motion; loss of function with advanced disease.

Weight-bearing X-rays show joint space narrowing (medial compartment in varus knee most common), subchondral sclerosis, osteophytes, and subchondral cysts. MRI assesses cartilage quality and meniscal integrity.

A stepwise approach: weight optimization, PT, viscosupplementation or PRP injection, iovera° cryoneurolysis for pain control; Mako robotic-assisted total knee or hip arthroplasty for end-stage disease.

A chronic degenerative condition of a tendon characterized by failed healing response, collagen disorganization, and neovascularization — distinct from acute tendinitis. Commonly affects the Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff, and common extensor (lateral elbow) tendons.

Localized tendon pain that worsens with loading activity; morning stiffness; palpable tendon thickening; pain that is proportional to activity load; gradual onset rather than acute injury.

Ultrasound shows tendon thickening, hypoechoic areas, and neovascularization on Doppler. MRI demonstrates intrasubstance signal change and thickening. Imaging guides injection targeting.

Heavy slow resistance loading (HSR) protocol is first-line; PRP injection under ultrasound guidance for recalcitrant cases; Tenex ultrasonic tenotomy (percutaneous) for chronic tendinopathy resistant to conservative measures.