Musculoskeletal disorders affect your muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, bones, and joints. They can be caused by a sudden movement — such as a strained muscle from lifting something — or from repetitive movements you do frequently (overuse injuries).

Some of the common musculoskeletal disorders include:

• Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (a nerve condition that affects your hand and wrist)
• De Quervain’s syndrome (affects the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist)
• Degenerative disc disease
• Digital neuritis (a nerve condition in your foot)
• Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Ligament sprains (stretching or tearing of tissue that connects bones or joints)
• Mechanical back syndrome (pain in the spinal joints, discs, vertebrae, or soft tissues of your back)
• Muscle or tendon strain
• Radial tunnel syndrome (pressure on the radial nerve in your forearm)
• Rotator cuff tendonitis (swollen or damaged tendons in your shoulder)
• Ruptured or herniated disc
• Tendonitis: tendon swelling
• Tension neck syndrome (disorders that affect your neck and shoulders)
• Thoracic outlet compression (compressed nerves in your upper chest that can involve your neck, shoulder, arm, or fingers)
• Trigger finger or thumb (swelling that prevents you from straightening your finger or thumb)

Different types of activities can cause wear and tear on your musculoskeletal system, which can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited range of motion. Our doctors identify the source of your pain quickly and develop a personalized treatment plan to give you relief.

Tests

Physical Exam
Your doctor performs a physical exam and learns about your health history to diagnose your condition and develop your treatment plan.

Imaging Tests
Your doctor may recommend an imaging exam to confirm your diagnosis, such as an X-ray or ultrasound.

Treatments

Rest
Your body needs a chance to heal, so you need to limit activities that involve the affected area. Your doctor will discuss what’s right for you.

Pain Medicine
Your doctor may recommend you take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen.

Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is often part of treatment for a musculoskeletal disorder. Our physical therapists design exercises and therapies based on your condition to relieve pain and improve your strength, range of motion, and function.

Surgery
If other treatments aren’t successful, your doctor may recommend surgery. Our surgeons use the least-invasive techniques possible to help you heal faster.

Why Choose UHealth?

World-class care in an academic health center. We’re a research and teaching institution, so you have access to the latest treatments — including promising new therapies through clinical trials. We treat adults with proven, leading-edge approaches based on innovative research at the Miller School of Medicine. Our doctors, residents, nurses, and therapists work together to improve health and wellness.

Access to top-notch specialty providers. Our comprehensive health system puts you in the skilled hands of a highly trained group of health care professionals, including 1,200 of the nation’s top doctors in more than 100 specialties. We use a patient-centered approach that prioritizes your health care preferences.

Commitment to prevention and health maintenance. We focus on more than the treatment of particular health conditions. We help you maintain optimal health and prevent chronic illness. By seeing your doctor regularly, you can lower your risk of developing health conditions that affect your quality of life.