Help for Hip Pain
Many people develop hip pain as they get older. Here’s what you can do about it.
Keeping Muscles Strong
Strong muscles are an important component of moving well and avoiding injuries. Learn more.
Keep Your Knees Healthy
Don’t let a knee injury keep you on the couch. Learn what you can do to protect these vital joints.
Bones, Joints and Muscles Topics
Ask an Expert
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I wake up with my right hand numb. My thumb and middle finger seem the worst. It takes awhile for the numbness to wear off. I work in a grocery store, so I'm always on my feet and on the register. What should I do?
Numbness in the hand could be due to a number of factors. Typically we describe this as a "neuropathy" which means the nerve is not working normally. We have nerves that travel throughout our body and when they... continue reading about I wake up with my right hand numb. My thumb and middle finger seem the worst. It takes awhile for the numbness to wear off. I work in a grocery store, so I'm always on my feet and on the register. What should I do?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I'm 56 and play racquetball two times a week, speed walk 6+ miles at a time, and play volleyball. My knees ache after I play. I ice after activities and have been taking Cellaplex for two months. How do I know if I am damaging my knees?
It is excellent that you are active. In fact, a New England Journal study showed that people who are active actually do better in terms of their arthritis versus people who are not active. This is counter to wh... continue reading about I'm 56 and play racquetball two times a week, speed walk 6+ miles at a time, and play volleyball. My knees ache after I play. I ice after activities and have been taking Cellaplex for two months. How do I know if I am damaging my knees?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I've started running to get back into shape and lose some extra pounds, but now I've got shin splints. What causes this, how can I get rid of them, and also how do I prevent them from coming back?
Shin splints are very common, especially when someone has just started a new exercise program or has increased their overall workout. Shin splints are actually best thought of as stress injuries (microscopic) o... continue reading about I've started running to get back into shape and lose some extra pounds, but now I've got shin splints. What causes this, how can I get rid of them, and also how do I prevent them from coming back?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
Is it okay to take a joint pain supplement that contains glucosamine and scutellaria if I'm also taking prednisone?
In today's world we are learning more and more about interactions between medications, foods and supplements. It has been reported that grapefruit juice can interact with as many as 40 medications - some of whi... continue reading about Is it okay to take a joint pain supplement that contains glucosamine and scutellaria if I'm also taking prednisone?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I've been having knee pain when I bend it and when it's straight. It's also a little swollen above the kneecap. I'm hoping that this is just a mild sprain, but six years ago I had a blood clot in the same leg just below the knee. Should I be worried?
Knee pain as you describe best fits the picture of a condition we call patellar femoral syndrome. This is a very common condition of the knee that often occurs with activity. Patellar femoral syndrome is typica... continue reading about I've been having knee pain when I bend it and when it's straight. It's also a little swollen above the kneecap. I'm hoping that this is just a mild sprain, but six years ago I had a blood clot in the same leg just below the knee. Should I be worried?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I have severe Achilles tendinitis and can't even go on long walks for exercise. What workouts would you recommend while I recover? It's been weeks since I've broken a good sweat.
Achilles tendonitis is a tough condition to treat since many aerobic activities can aggravate the condition and one of the treatment strategies is to avoid these activities.Aerobic conditioning is incredibly va... continue reading about I have severe Achilles tendinitis and can't even go on long walks for exercise. What workouts would you recommend while I recover? It's been weeks since I've broken a good sweat.
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I've been suffering from lower back pain for two years. I've had an MRI, ultrasounds and x-rays, but they can't find anything wrong. However I still have constant pain. What other tests can be done to find the reason for my pain?
Back pain can generally be divided into two categories: Acute (less than four weeks duration)Chronic (greater than four weeks duration)Acute back pain is very common and is one of the top reasons that patients ... continue reading about I've been suffering from lower back pain for two years. I've had an MRI, ultrasounds and x-rays, but they can't find anything wrong. However I still have constant pain. What other tests can be done to find the reason for my pain?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I have arthritis in my knees. What are some alternative forms of treatment instead of surgery? I've had cortisone shots, but they are ineffective now.
Good question. This is a common problem for many people. The non-operative treatments for the arthritis of the knees can include the following:Losing weight - If there is less pressure on the knee, there is les... continue reading about I have arthritis in my knees. What are some alternative forms of treatment instead of surgery? I've had cortisone shots, but they are ineffective now.
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Foundation
I have knee pain, which I feel all day. I'm seeing an orthopedic doctor. His conclusion is the cartilage is worn out and recommends knee replacement. I've tried injections but this did not help. Are there any alternative procedures you would recommend?
Current treatments for end stage arthritis (bone touching bone) are very limited to mostly surgical options, i.e. joint replacement. Currently there is no effective way of replacing the cartilage that is damage... continue reading about I have knee pain, which I feel all day. I'm seeing an orthopedic doctor. His conclusion is the cartilage is worn out and recommends knee replacement. I've tried injections but this did not help. Are there any alternative procedures you would recommend?
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