Orthopaedics is the medical specialty that focuses on injuries and diseases of your body's musculoskeletal system. This complex system includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves and allows you to move, work, and be active.

Arthritis is inflammation of a joint that leads to the destruction of healthy joint cartilage. There are various forms of arthritis such as Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis and Psoriatic arthritis, just to name a few. Osteoarthritis, for example, occurs when the smooth covering of the end of bones (known as articular cartilage) gets damaged or worn through wear and tear or trauma. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that results in the inflammation and eventual destruction of the joint surfaces, including the cartilage. Symptoms of arthritis often include joint pain, swelling, stiffness and immobility. Treatments for arthritis vary depending on their underlying cause, severity of the disease and impact on an individual’s activities of daily living. For more information on arthritis and its treatment, click here .

Articular cartilage is flexible connective tissue located at the end of bones that protects joints and facilitates motion.

A tendon is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. A ligament is an elastic tissue that connects one bone to another.

Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon that results in very small micro-tears of the tendon as a result of the tendon being overloaded secondary to an acute injury. Tendinosis refers to the degeneration of a tendon’s collagen (the main structural component of tendons) over time due to chronic overuse. Treatment for tendonitis is aimed at reducing inflammation with anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Motrin, etc.). For tendinosis, the goal is to avoid the aggravating activities to allow the tendon to heal, maintain proper ergonomics and biomechanics, and allow the tendon to regain is tensile strength through stretching and physical therapy.

Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones and soft tissues. It can be caused by repetitive stress or trauma, with common triggers including running, stair climbing, cycling, and prolonged walking or standing. Treatment typically involves rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and pain.

A sprain is a stretch and/or a tear of a ligament. Sprains are typically graded based on their severity. For example, a grade 1 sprain refers to slight stretching of the ligament while grade 2 and grade 3 sprains refer to partial tearing or complete tear of a ligament respectively. A strain, on the other hand, is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Common treatment for sprains and strains involve rest, icing, compression and elevation (RICE).

Nothing! A “fracture” is the medical term for a broken bone.

An orthopedic doctor, also known as an orthopedist, is a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy (DO) who specializes in the musculoskeletal system – bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. While orthopaedic surgeons are familiar with all aspects of the musculoskeletal system, many orthopedists specialize in certain areas, such as the foot and ankle, shoulder, spine, hip or knee. They may also choose to focus on specific fields like pediatrics, trauma or sports medicine. Some orthopaedic surgeons may specialize in several areas, such as our doctors. To read about their specialties, click here .​

A sports medicine orthopedist is a fellowship-trained physician that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries related to sports or other physical activities. These injuries can be from acute trauma or from chronic overuse. For more information on sports medicine, click here .

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as Physiatry, focuses on restoring body functions lost due to injury, illness, or disabling conditions. It involves diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal, central, and peripheral nervous systems. Physiatrists use a holistic approach to address a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological issues.

Podiatry is a medical specialty focusing on conditions related to the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. One who practices in Podiatry is known as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). Podiatric physicians or podiatric surgeons can specialize in many different areas including surgery, sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. For more information on Podiatry, click here .

Physician Assistants (PAs) are mid-level medical providers who are nationally certified and state licensed to practice medicine. In Orthopedics, PAs are highly utilized both in the clinical setting and in the operating room. In the clinical setting, PAs are capable of diagnosing and treating a wide variety of orthopedic conditions under the supervision of the physicians. Services provided by PAs include ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests; diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medications and other treatments; counseling and educating patients on disease prevention. At Arthritis & Sports, PAs see anything from New Patient encounters to follow-ups to both pre and post-operative visits. In the OR, they serve as first assistants to the orthopedic surgeon providing valuable assistance during the peri-operative period. Studies have identified high-quality care with physician-PA teams and have shown that the quality of care provided by PAs is comparable to that of physicians, that PAs enhance care coordination, and that PAs are proven to elevate health outcomes and increase patient satisfaction. For more information regarding PAs, click here . To read about each of our PAs, .

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are mid-level medical providers who are nationally certified and state licensed to practice medicine. They can practice autonomously (without physician supervision) depending on the state in which they practice. NPs can be found in many medical specialties including Orthopedics. Like PA’s, services provided by NPs include ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests; diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medications and other treatments; counseling and educating patients on disease prevention. To read about our Nurse Practitioner, click here .

A DEXA scan (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) is a test that measures bone density in areas such as the hip, spine, or forearm. It helps diagnose conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis. Additionally, a DEXA total body composition scan analyzes your total mass, fat mass, lean mass, and total body fat percentage. For more information on DEXA scans, please visit our website.

An MRI uses strong magnets to scan your body and create an image. MRIs may be utilized to visualize bones, joints and soft tissues such as cartilage, muscles and tendons for injuries or structural abnormalities. There is no risk of exposure to ionizing radiation during an MRI as secondary to use of strong magnets. Due to the use of magnets however, patients with implanted devices such as pacemakers or other metallic devices may not be able to undergo an MRI.

A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging study that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to develop a 3-D picture of different parts of the body including bones, soft tissues and joints. CT scans assess for damage to bones, soft tissues and joints as well as fractures, lesions and other abnormalities. CT scans do expose patients to radiation thus it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of this diagnostic study with your provider.

Cortisone is a strong anti-inflammatory medicine (a steroid) that helps reduce or eliminate pain caused by inflammation. Compared the oral administration, cortisone injections can be much more effective and work more quickly when treating tendonitis and joint inflammation. While cortisone may not cure the condition, it may provide temporary relief.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications used to treat pain and inflammation. They are commonly used for conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis. Examples include Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil), Naproxen (Aleve), and Nabumetone (Relafen). NSAIDs are available both over-the-counter and by prescription.

Electrodiagnostic testing measures the speed and conduction of nerves and muscles in your body. Nerves and muscles create electrical signals that deliver messages to and from your brain. Injuries or diseases that affect the nerves and muscles can slow or completely halt the movement of these signals. If you have pain, weakness or numbness in your back, neck or hands, performing these tests can help your doctor make a proper diagnosis. Examples of such tests include Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and Electromyography.

Casts and splints support and protect injured bones and soft tissue. When a bone is broken, a splint or cast helps hold bones in place and maintain their proper alignment in order to allow proper healing. In some cases, splints and casts are applied following surgery in order to protect the area and allow it to properly heal.

Over-the-counter (OTC) orthotics are made to cater to a wider range of people. Some patients may get relief using such OTC devices; however, they are often inadequate in that they do not provide sufficient support, shock absorption, or a proper fit. Custom orthotics are produced specifically for your feet, and can better address the needs of each patient. For more information on orthotics, click here .

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to look inside a joint using a small camera inserted through tiny incisions. This technique is used to diagnose and treat joint problems with less tissue damage compared to traditional open surgery. Commonly treated joints include the knee, shoulder, elbow, and ankle. Recovery time is typically shorter, and patients experience less pain and scarring.

Total joint replacement, or arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to restore the integrity and function of a joint. It is performed when an individual’s activities of daily living are severely impacted and more conservative options such as over-the-counter vs. prescription medications (i.e.: NSAIDs), physical therapy, cortisone injections and viscosupplementation (lubricant injections) have failed to alleviate pain, stiffness, or immobility caused by damaged joint cartilage. Depending on the joint affected and the extent of wear and tear of the cartilage, there are, in some cases, different kinds of joint replacements such as partial joint replacement or total joint replacement. Common joints to be replaced are the hips, knees and shoulders.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a surgical procedure used to stabilize broken bones. During the procedure, bone fragments are repositioned and held together with metal plates, screws, or rods to ensure proper healing. Other methods for stabilizing bones include percutaneous pinning and external fixation.

Yes, physical therapy is often necessary after surgery to regain full range of motion, strength, and flexibility. Pre-operative exercise, education, and post-operative physical therapy programs are essential to ensure you are prepared for surgery and to maximize your recovery. The duration of post-operative therapy depends on the extent of the pre-operative condition and the surgery performed. For more information about our on-site physical therapy team, please visit our page at www.arthritisandsports.com/physical-therapy

Visiting a total care orthopaedic facility provides you with an unparalleled continuum of care from diagnostic testing and treatment to physical therapy and rehabilitation. Arthritis & Sports offers you the expertise of a large group of talented specialized orthopaedic surgeons and a variety of on-site services that most orthopaedic practices cannot. We evaluate each patient individually and recommend the best course of action that would allow you to get back on your feet as quickly as possible. In addition to orthopaedics, our practice features on-site physical therapy, massage therapy, and nutritional counseling, which allows our patients to get better from start to finish all in one location.

Our operating hours vary based on location. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our Sterling location page or our South Riding location page on our website. You can also call us at 703.444.5000 for any inquiries regarding our hours of operation.

To make an appointment with Arthritis & Sports, you can call us at 703.444.5000 or request an appointment online by visiting our appointment request page on our website by clicking here.

Depending on your insurance, you may need a referral in order to see one of our specialists. Please check with your insurance prior to being seen to confirm if this is necessary.

For your initial consultation, please bring the following: Referral letter (if necessary) Insurance or Medicare card List of medications X-ray and scan results Driver’s license or other valid ID We also encourage you to come with a written list of questions to ensure you don’t forget to ask them during your visit.

Yes, we encourage you to print and complete your forms before your visit to save time. For all of our patient forms, please visit https://www.arthritisandsports.com/patient-forms.