Orthopaedics Department

Orthopedics is a medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis, correction, prevention, and treatment of patients with disorders of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. These parts of the body make up the musculoskeletal system.

Bones are the support system of the body, so it’s important to keep them healthy and strong. Consuming enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet is vital to ensuring strong and healthy bones. Regular exercise is another important step in your control to maintain bone health. Exercise will also help you avoid orthopaedic issues in the future. Keeping caffeine and alcohol intake low also supports healthy bones. Avoiding smoking is another key factor in maintaining bone health.

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. A joint is an area of the body where two bones meet. Cartilage is the connective tissue in our joints. Cartilage protects the joints by absorbing the pressure and shock when we move. Arthritis can occur when cartilage erodes causing stiff, weak, and painful joints. Although there are over 100 different types of arthritis, the two most common types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Another very common orthopaedic complaint is shoulder pain. Often the source of that pain is a torn rotator cuff. The two main causes of rotator cuff tears are injury and degeneration. You can further damage your rotator cuff with continued use after a tear. If you are experiencing chronic shoulder or arm pain, it’s best to visit your orthopaedic specialist. For the majority of patients, an orthopaedic doctor will provide non-surgical treatment, such as physical therapy or steroid injections, to ease pain and improve function in your shoulder.