Dr. Soham Dinda, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon in Tamluk, Purba Medinipur (MBBS Hons, NRSMCH; MS Orthopaedics, RG Kar MC&H), explains tennis elbow, hip pain, ankle sprain, muscle pain: symptoms, causes, tests and treatment options.
What is musculoskeletal pain?
Musculoskeletal pain is pain in the bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is one of the most common reasons for a visit to an orthopaedic doctor, and may come from injury, overuse, ageing, posture or an underlying condition. Beyond the knee, back, neck, shoulder and heel (covered on their own pages), many other parts of the body can be affected.
Common problems we treat
- Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow: pain on the outer or inner elbow with gripping, lifting or writing
- Wrist and hand pain: carpal tunnel syndrome with tingling in fingers, trigger finger, De Quervain's tenosynovitis
- Hip pain: groin or side-of-hip pain, bursitis, arthritis
- Ankle sprain and foot pain: twisted ankle, Achilles tendon pain, ankle instability
- Muscle strains and tendon injuries from exercise, lifting or overuse
- Bursitis and tendinitis around the shoulder, hip, knee and elbow
- General bone and joint aches from arthritis, low vitamin D or osteoporosis
Why does it happen?
- Repeated movements at work, such as typing, farm or household work and lifting
- Sudden injury or a twist, fall or sports strain
- Ageing, which wears joints and weakens tendons
- Weight gain, which loads hips, knees and ankles
- Low vitamin D or calcium, or weak bones
- Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, gout and rheumatoid arthritis
When to see an orthopaedic doctor
- Pain lasting more than 2 weeks, or getting worse
- Swelling, redness, warmth or fever with joint pain
- A joint that is locked, deformed or cannot take weight
- Tingling, numbness or weakness in the hand or foot
- Pain after an injury, which could be a fracture or ligament tear
- Night pain or pain that disturbs sleep
How the cause is found
Dr. Dinda takes a careful history, examines the painful area and the joints above and below it, and advises X-rays when needed. Ultrasound or MRI is used for tendon, ligament and nerve problems, and blood tests for vitamin D, uric acid or inflammatory conditions when they are suspected. Treating the true cause is more useful than only covering the pain with tablets.
Treatment approach
Most of these problems improve without surgery.
- Rest from the aggravating activity, with ice or heat as suited to the problem
- Short-term medicines and gels at the correct dose, as advised
- Stretching and strengthening exercises, and physiotherapy advice
- Braces, wrist splints, tennis elbow straps or ankle supports
- Changes in work technique, footwear and daily habits
- Correction of vitamin D or calcium deficiency, and diabetes or thyroid control
- Injections in selected cases when other methods have not helped
- Surgery for problems that do not respond, such as some tendon tears or nerve entrapment
Everyday tips
- Do not ignore pain that comes back again and again
- Warm up before exercise and increase effort slowly
- Take breaks during repeated work and change posture often
- Wear shoes with good grip and support
- Avoid taking painkillers regularly without advice
Pain management in Tamluk
Patients from Tamluk, Haldia, Contai, Egra, Nandakumar and nearby areas consult Dr. Soham Dinda for bone, joint and muscle pain. See also our pages on knee pain, back pain, shoulder pain and non-surgical treatment.
সংক্ষেপে বাংলায়
কনুই, কবজি, হাত, কোমর-পাছা, গোড়ালি বা মাংসপেশিতে ব্যথা অনেক সময় অতিরিক্ত পরিশ্রম, চোট বা বয়সজনিত কারণে হয়। টেনিস এলবো, কার্পাল টানেল সিনড্রোম, পা মচকানো এর মধ্যে পড়ে। বেশিরভাগ ক্ষেত্রে বিশ্রাম, ব্যায়াম, ব্রেস ও সঠিক ওষুধে আরাম মেলে। ব্যথা দুই সপ্তাহের বেশি থাকলে বা ফোলা-জ্বর থাকলে তমলুকে ডা. সোহম দিন্দাকে দেখান। ফোন করুন ৮৯১০০৫১০৭২।
This page is for general awareness and does not replace a consultation. Please see a qualified doctor for diagnosis and treatment.