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
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My FSH level is 77. Can menopause be a reason that my knee joints hurt? I don't have any sports injury. Will it resolve in time?
High FSH does not directly cause joint pain or the inflammatory joint disease known as arthritis. If the pain persists and is associated with swelling, an X-ray or MRI may be appropriate. Non-steroidal anti-inf... continue reading about My FSH level is 77. Can menopause be a reason that my knee joints hurt? I don't have any sports injury. Will it resolve in time?
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
Do women wearing high heels experience/suffer from shortened Achilles tendons? Does wearing flat heels cause pain for high heel wearers? Are there any therapeutic exercises or stretches that can help?
Yes, women who wear high heels can develop a shortening of the Achilles tendon. The height of the heel and how long she has been wearing this type of shoe are contributing factors. As you note, many ladies who ... continue reading about Do women wearing high heels experience/suffer from shortened Achilles tendons? Does wearing flat heels cause pain for high heel wearers? Are there any therapeutic exercises or stretches that can help?
Carolyn E. McAloon, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
What tips should I follow when I'm shopping for shoes?
Here are my shoe buying tips:Have your feet measured while you're standing. As adults our bones don't grow longer, but as we mature our ligaments loosen and our feet splay, especially following pregnancy. So ou... continue reading about What tips should I follow when I'm shopping for shoes?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I find as I have gotten older (mid 40's), my feet get sore easily and in my workout shoes, I now need extra support. Is this typical? Do feet age like the rest of us, and is there anything I can do to better support my feet?
Our feet undergo changes throughout our lives. This is because the twenty six bones are supported and held together by a complex myriad of ligaments, tendons and muscles. As we age, and especially if we gain we... continue reading about I find as I have gotten older (mid 40's), my feet get sore easily and in my workout shoes, I now need extra support. Is this typical? Do feet age like the rest of us, and is there anything I can do to better support my feet?
Noah Weiss, M.D.
Surgery Center Division
My left arm at the shoulder hurts all the time (including lifting things and even when I'm sleeping and turn on that side). I don't recall hurting it in any way. It started hurting several months ago. What could it be and how can I make it stop?
Often injuries to the rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder will refer pain to the upper arm, or even down the arm. If your shoulder and upper arm pain is aggravated by lifting, reaching overhead, and sleeping, ... continue reading about My left arm at the shoulder hurts all the time (including lifting things and even when I'm sleeping and turn on that side). I don't recall hurting it in any way. It started hurting several months ago. What could it be and how can I make it stop?
James D. Kelly, M.D.
SPMF San Francisco HMO Network
I dislocated my shoulder last year. I kept it in a sling for a few weeks, and then went through physical therapy. It has started to hurt again. I exercise regularly, but try to be careful of not reinjuring it. Anything I can do to prevent this pain?
A shoulder dislocation can create long term problems due to recurrent instability, either in the form of recurrent dislocations or recurrent subluxations. It sounds like your problem is more one of pain, howeve... continue reading about I dislocated my shoulder last year. I kept it in a sling for a few weeks, and then went through physical therapy. It has started to hurt again. I exercise regularly, but try to be careful of not reinjuring it. Anything I can do to prevent this pain?
Rakesh Donthineni, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
Where exactly is the sciatic nerve? I've had a pain under my right buttocks that runs down the back of my leg to about the knee and hasn't gotten any better in over three weeks. Am I on the right track in suspecting sciatica?
Like all nerves, the sciatic nerve originates from the spinal cord and is made up of a bundle of those nerves. It travels within the pelvis, and exits the pelvis to the back of the thigh deep into the buttock. ... continue reading about Where exactly is the sciatic nerve? I've had a pain under my right buttocks that runs down the back of my leg to about the knee and hasn't gotten any better in over three weeks. Am I on the right track in suspecting sciatica?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
Why might I get swelling behind my knee when I run?
Swelling is a common concern when dealing with knee pain and knee injuries. Besides the appearance of a swollen knee, many patients complain of the discomfort and lack of motion that may coincide with the knee ... continue reading about Why might I get swelling behind my knee when I run?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Acute pain is a pain that has a limited time frame. It usually, though not always, starts suddenly, has an identifiable cause, can be treated, and once treated, the pain subsides. In that sense, since the cause... continue reading about What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
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