Injuries, Symptoms & Treatments

General Orthopedics

Treatment for all orthopedic conditions

General orthopedics covers a wide range of conditions and treatments for patients, such as the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of injuries and diseases affecting the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles within the body. Orthopedic conditions may be acute, such as fractures, sprains or strains; or chronic, such as arthritis, tendonitis and more, and may result in pain, stiffness, swelling, immobility and other troubling symptoms that tend to worsen over time. 

 

Dr. Bellapianta treats a wide range of orthopedic conditions using conservative, alternative and surgical means depending on each patient's individual needs. Most of these general orthopedic problems do not require surgery. We offer injections for pain and inflammation, and at-home exercises that strengthen and condition your body. Each patient responds differently to treatment, so Dr. B monitors your progress closely to ensure that the prescribed treatment is effective. Many conditions require ongoing management in order to relieve symptoms and allow patients to function in their everyday lives.

 

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Use the convenient search tool to find information on orthpedic conditions and treatments offered by our practice.. his assures that the information you are researching has been confirmed by Dr. Bellapianta as well as The American Academy of Orthpaedic Surgeons.

Diseases/Conditions of General Orthopedic Conditions

Arthritus
Bursitis
Tendonitis
Sprains & Strains
Fractures
Fibromyalgia
Nerve Pain
Post-Surgical Issues
Arthritus

Overview

 

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of the body's joints that causes pain and stiffness. Although arthritis is mainly an adult disease, some forms affect children.

 

There are many types of arthritis. They include osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and septic (infectious) arthritis.


Arthritis may be caused by wear and tear on the articular cartilage through the natural aging process (osteoarthritis), or it may develop following an injury (post-traumatic arthritis). Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus arthritis, is the result of a systemic disease throughout the body.

 

Regardless of whether arthritis is caused by injury, normal wear and tear, or systemic disease, the affected joint becomes inflamed, causing swelling, pain, and stiffness. Inflammation is one of the body's normal reactions to injury or disease. In arthritic joints, however, inflammation may cause long-lasting or permanent disability when it destroys the joint's cartilge. There are 4 major categories of arthritis:

 

 

Osteoarthritis

 

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Also known as "wear and tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions and protects the ends of bones gradually wears away.

 

Osteoarthritis results from overuse, trauma, or the natural degeneration of cartilage that occurs with aging.  There is a strong genetic component to osteoarthritis, but the genetics are complex and poorly understood. There is no single known osteoarthritis gene; the condition is likely due to a combination of many genes. Scientists call this type of genetics "multifactorial."

 

Osteoarthritis is often more painful in joints that bear weight, such as the knee, hip, and spine. However, joints that are used extensively in work or sports, or joints that have been damaged by injury may also show signs of osteoarthritis.

 

In many cases, bone growths called spurs develop at the edges of osteoarthritic joints. The bone can become harder (sclerosis). The joint becomes inflamed, causing pain and swelling. Continued use of the joint is painful.

 

 

Inflammatory Arthritis

 

As the name implies, inflammatory arthritis results from an excessive inflammatory response inside a joint.  It often is the result of an overactive immune system (autoimmune arthritis) but can also be caused by certain diseases (such as Lyme disease) or by the buildup of crystals in the joint (such as gout or psudogout). The most common cause of inflammatory arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. 

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that afects many parts of the body, but mainly the joints. The body's immune system, which normally protects the body, begins to produce substances that attack the body. In rheumatoid arthritis, the joint lining swells, invading surrounding tissues. Chemical substances are produced that attack and destroy the joint surface.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis may affect both large and small joints in the body and also the spine. Swelling, pain, and stiffness usually develop, even when the joint is not used. In some circumstances, juvenile arthritis may cause similar symptoms in children.

 

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is associated with the skin disease psoriasis. While it may involve larger joints such as the knees it often presents with symptoms in smaller areas such as the distal joints at the tips of the fingers and toes.

 

Crystalline Arthropathy (gout or pseudogout)

Gouty arthritis develops as the result of uric acid buildup in the bloodstream. The uric acid forms crystals that cause acute inflammation in a joint. The big toe, ankle, knee, and elbow are the most common joints affected. A gout attack can be acutely painful and may look like an infection (septic arthritis). The inflamed joint becomes red and very sensitive to touch. Gout attacks are most often treated with medication rather than surgery. Long term, many patients develop soft tissue masses (tophi) over the affected joints. 

In pseudogout, calcium pyrophosphate crystals depost in the joint and cause similar inflammation as the uric acid crystals of gout. Left untreated, the inflammation caused by these crystals may lead to breakdown of the cartilage of the joint.

 

Lyme Arthritis

Lyme arthritis can be one of the side effects of Lyme disease, a systemic infection caused by a tick bite. Lyme arthritis can present acutely as pain and swelling in early stages of the disease. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. Left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to chronic arthritis.

 

Spondylytic Arthritis

Spondylytic arthritis mostly affects the spine. The most common form is ankylosing spondylitis. It often presents as low back pain with initial changes seen at the sacroiliac joints in the pelvis. A doctor can confirm this diagnosis with a positive blood test, HLA-B27.

 

Lupus Arthritis

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the blood and multiple organs, including the kidneys, skin, and heart. Lupus arthritis can be systemic and cause chronic pain in multiple joints.

 

Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile arthritis is the most common type of arthritis in children. It is estimated that more than 250,000 children under the age of 16 in the United States are affected. There are several types of the disease and most are different from rheumatoid arthritis in adults.

 

The above is not an exhaustive list. There are many more less common causes of inflammatory arthritis.

 

 

Post-traumatic Arthritis

 

Post-traumatic arthritis results from an injury to the joint due to trauma. If a broken bone or fracture extends into a joint it will damage the smooth cartilage that covers the joint's surface. The surface becomes uneven and causes friction as the joint moves. Over time, the joint breaks down and becomes arthritic.

 

 

Septic Arthritis

 

Septic arthritis is an infection of the joint. Bacteria most often reach the joint through the bloodstream from an infection in another part of the body, such as the urinary tract. Infected joints are typically warm, red, and acutely tender. They are often swollen due to pus in the joint. An infected joint often needs surgical drainage in addition to antibiotic treatment.

 

 

Content by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 

Bursitis
Tendonitis
Sprains & Strains
Fractures
Fibromyalgia
Nerve Pain
Post-Surgical Issues

Osteoarthritis

This is the most common form of arthritis. It can make your joints feel stiff and painful. It's a common condition that affects men and women. It most often affects older people.

Bursitis of the Shoulder

This is a swelling of a fluid-filled sac called the "subacromial bursa." It's in the shoulder, between a bony protrusion called the "acromion" and the rotator cuff. 

Biceps Tenodesis

This surgery repairs a biceps tendon in your shoulder. It fixes a tendon that is partially torn, or completely torn, from the bone.

Fibromyalgia

This chronic condition is believed to be a type of interference with the way your brain processes pain signals. It leaves you highly sensitive to pain.

Common Treatments of General Orthopedics 

Medications
Diagnostic Imaging
Therapy Injections
Physical Therapy
Surgery
Medications

Medications

Over-the-counter medications can be used to control pain and inflammation. These medications, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Acetaminophen can also be effective in controlling pain.

Prescription medications also are available. A doctor will take account the type of condition/injury, its severity, and the patient's general physical health before prescribing a medication. Patients with stomach ulcers, asthma, kidney disease, or liver disease, for example, may not be able to safely take anti-inflammatory medications. For patients with inflammatory conditions, the doctor (typically a rheumatoligist) may prescribe medications that modify the body's immune response.

Content by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 

Diagnostic Imaging
Therapy Injections
Physical Therapy
Surgery

PRP Therapy

Platelet rich plasma therapy can help injured joints and other problems. It uses parts of your own blood to reduce pain and speed up healing.

Soft Tissue Injection: Shoulder

This outpatient injection procedure relieves pain in the shoulder caused by bursitis, or inflammation of the bursa.

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Knee Stem Cell Therapy

If normal wear and tear has caused degeneration of your joint, stem cell therapy may help. It uses parts of your own blood to help repair knee damage. It may help you avoid surgery.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help control your pain and help you recover from injury or disease. It can help you get better after surgery.

Experience the latest in orthopedic care 

We offer the latest in non-invasive treatments including Regenerative Cell and Platelet Rich Injections.