Condition Lookup

Osteoarthritis

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Symptoms:
joint pain; stiffness; limited range of motion; swelling; bone spurs; grating sensation during joint movement

Root Cause:
The gradual breakdown of cartilage in joints, leading to bone-on-bone contact, inflammation, and joint damage.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, patient history, imaging studies (X-ray, MRI), and joint fluid analysis to rule out other conditions.

Treatment:
Lifestyle modifications (weight loss, physical therapy), pain management, assistive devices, and surgery (joint replacement) for severe cases.

Medications:
Acetaminophen for mild pain; NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen for pain and inflammation; corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation; and hyaluronic acid injections for joint lubrication.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 32.5 million adults in the U.S., particularly those aged 50 and older.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, obesity, joint injuries, genetics, and repetitive joint use.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic and progressive; symptoms can be managed with treatment, but cartilage loss is irreversible.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, decreased mobility, joint deformity, and increased risk of falls.

Gout

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Musculoskeletal Disorders

Sub-category: Metabolic Disorders

Symptoms:
sudden severe joint pain; redness; swelling; warmth; tenderness in affected joint (commonly the big toe)

Root Cause:
High levels of uric acid in the blood lead to the formation of urate crystals in joints, causing inflammation and pain.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Joint fluid analysis to detect urate crystals, blood tests for uric acid levels, and imaging (ultrasound, X-ray, or dual-energy CT).

Treatment:
Lifestyle changes (dietary modifications, weight management), medications to manage acute attacks and prevent recurrences.

Medications:
NSAIDs like indomethacin for acute pain; colchicine to reduce inflammation; corticosteroids for severe attacks; allopurinol or febuxostat to lower uric acid levels.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 4% of adults in the U.S.; more common in men and older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High purine diet, alcohol consumption, obesity, hypertension, and diuretic use.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable with appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes; untreated gout can lead to chronic arthritis and kidney damage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic tophaceous gout, kidney stones, and joint deformities.

Paget’s Disease of Bone

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Musculoskeletal Disorders

Sub-category: Bone Disorders

Symptoms:
bone pain; bowing of the legs; enlarged skull; hearing loss; increased risk of fractures

Root Cause:
Disrupted bone remodeling process, where excessive bone resorption is followed by abnormal new bone formation, leading to weakened and deformed bones.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests (elevated alkaline phosphatase), X-rays, bone scans, and sometimes bone biopsy.

Treatment:
Bisphosphonates to reduce bone turnover, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and physical therapy. Surgery may be needed for fractures or deformities.

Medications:
Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate , risedronate , or zoledronic acid) to inhibit bone resorption; calcitonin for pain management.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1-3% of individuals over age 50, more common in men.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advancing age, family history, and European ancestry.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally manageable with treatment; untreated, it can lead to significant complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Bone fractures, arthritis, nerve compression, and rarely, osteosarcoma.

Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and strength)

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Musculoskeletal Disorders

Sub-category: Other Musculoskeletal Conditions

Symptoms:
decreased muscle mass; reduced strength and endurance; difficulty with physical tasks such as climbing stairs, lifting objects; increased risk of falls and fractures; reduced mobility

Root Cause:
Loss of muscle mass and strength due to aging, hormonal changes, decreased physical activity, and malnutrition.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves assessing muscle mass and strength, physical performance tests (e.g., handgrip strength, walking speed), and imaging (e.g., DEXA scans to measure muscle mass).

Treatment:
Treatment focuses on resistance exercise (strength training), adequate nutrition (protein and vitamin D), and possibly medications or hormone therapy in some cases.

Medications:
Medications may include anabolic steroids, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), or hormones like testosterone . These are classified as anabolic agents or hormonal therapies used to increase muscle mass.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Sarcopenia affects approximately 5-13% of older adults, with prevalence increasing significantly with age, particularly over 70 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (over 50 years), physical inactivity, poor nutrition (especially protein deficiency), chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer), and hormonal changes.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate interventions like exercise and nutrition, sarcopenia can be managed, but without treatment, it can lead to functional decline, frailty, and increased risk of disability or mortality.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of falls, fractures, functional disability, frailty, and overall reduced quality of life.

Chronic Back Pain

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Musculoskeletal Disorders

Sub-category: Other Musculoskeletal Conditions

Symptoms:
persistent back pain lasting more than three months; pain may be localized or radiate to legs (sciatica); stiffness and limited range of motion; difficulty standing or walking for long periods; muscle spasms

Root Cause:
Chronic back pain is often due to degenerative changes in the spine (e.g., disc degeneration, arthritis), muscle imbalances, or injury. It can also be related to poor posture, obesity, or other health conditions.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves a thorough physical examination, patient history, and imaging tests (e.g., X-rays, MRI, CT scan) to identify structural abnormalities, degenerative changes, or underlying diseases.

Treatment:
Treatment often involves a combination of physical therapy, pain management (e.g., NSAIDs, corticosteroids), lifestyle changes (e.g., weight loss), and in some cases, surgical interventions.

Medications:
Common medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, acetaminophen , and opioids (for severe pain). Corticosteroid injections may be used for inflammation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Chronic back pain affects about 20-30% of the adult population, with the prevalence increasing with age, particularly after 50 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, poor posture, physical overexertion, previous back injuries, and underlying conditions like osteoarthritis or osteoporosis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With proper treatment, many individuals can manage chronic back pain and improve their quality of life, though some may experience ongoing discomfort.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain can lead to decreased mobility, depression, anxiety, disability, and impaired quality of life.

Spinal Stenosis

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Musculoskeletal Disorders

Sub-category: Other Musculoskeletal Conditions

Symptoms:
lower back pain; numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs; pain that worsens with walking or standing, relieved by sitting; difficulty walking or maintaining balance; possible loss of bladder or bowel control (in severe cases)

Root Cause:
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces within the spine narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It is often caused by age-related changes like disc degeneration, bone spurs, or thickened ligaments.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical exams, and imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans, which can reveal narrowing of the spinal canal and nerve compression.

Treatment:
Treatment options include physical therapy, pain medications (e.g., NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, and in some cases, surgery (e.g., laminectomy or spinal fusion).

Medications:
Medications include NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ), corticosteroids (oral or injectable), and occasionally opioids for short-term pain relief. Antidepressants or anticonvulsants may be used for nerve pain.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Spinal stenosis is common in older adults, affecting 8-11% of those aged 60 and over.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, genetics, previous back injuries, degenerative changes in the spine, and conditions such as osteoarthritis or scoliosis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Spinal stenosis can be managed with treatment, though symptoms may progressively worsen over time. Surgery may provide long-term relief in severe cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
In severe cases, it can lead to permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, loss of mobility, and incontinence.

Rotator Cuff Tears

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Musculoskeletal Disorders

Sub-category: Other Musculoskeletal Conditions

Symptoms:
pain in the shoulder, especially with overhead movements; weakness in the shoulder or arm; limited range of motion; clicking or popping sounds when moving the shoulder; night pain or pain during sleep

Root Cause:
A rotator cuff tear is caused by damage to the group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. It can result from acute injury or degeneration due to repetitive motion, age, or overuse.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis includes a physical exam, assessment of shoulder movements, and imaging studies such as MRI or ultrasound, which can confirm the presence and extent of the tear.

Treatment:
Treatment options range from conservative measures like rest, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections to surgical repair for more severe tears.

Medications:
Medications typically include NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ) for pain relief, and in some cases, corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rotator cuff tears are common in older adults, particularly those over 60. It is estimated that around 20% of people over the age of 60 have some form of rotator cuff tear.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, repetitive overhead movements, sports-related injuries, and prior shoulder injuries.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most people improve with conservative treatment, though rotator cuff tears can sometimes lead to chronic pain and limited shoulder function. Surgical repair often results in good outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, weakness, and stiffness, particularly if untreated. Severe tears can lead to permanent shoulder dysfunction.