Short summaries of common bone, joint and spine conditions, with the kind of specialist who usually treats each one. For a diagnosis, see a qualified clinician.
An inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, causing back pain and stiffness that is often worse in the morning and eases with movement.
Often starts before age 45. Usually treated by a rheumatologist.
Growths in bone that are usually benign. Cancers that start in bone are rare; cancer that spreads to bone from elsewhere is more common. Persistent, worsening bone pain, especially at night, deserves a check.
Assessed by an orthopedic oncologist or cancer team.
A bony bump at the base of the big toe as the toe angles toward the others. Footwear, inherited foot shape and arthritis can play a part.
Seen by a podiatrist or foot and ankle surgeon.
Inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled cushion near a joint, often at the shoulder, elbow, hip or knee. It causes local pain and tenderness, often after overuse.
Usually managed by a family doctor, sports medicine doctor or physiotherapist.
Pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist's carpal tunnel, causing tingling, numbness and weakness in the thumb and first fingers.
Family doctor first; sometimes a hand surgeon.
A break in a bone, from a crack to a complete break. Most heal in weeks to a few months with the right support. A break from a minor fall after 50 can be a sign of osteoporosis.
Emergency care, then orthopedics and physiotherapy.
Stiffening and pain in the shoulder joint capsule that develops slowly and usually improves over many months. It's more common in people with diabetes.
Family doctor, physiotherapist or orthopedic specialist.
Sudden, very painful attacks of joint inflammation caused by uric acid crystals, often in the big toe. Long-term treatment can prevent attacks and joint damage.
Family doctor or rheumatologist.
When the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer ring and may press on a nerve, causing back or neck pain, or pain down an arm or leg (sciatica). Many improve with time and physiotherapy.
Family doctor, physiotherapist, spine specialist. New bladder or bowel problems or leg weakness are urgent.
A break at the top of the femur, usually from a fall in older adults with weakened bones. It almost always needs surgery and rehabilitation, and is a strong reason to check bone health.
Emergency care and orthopedic surgery, then rehab and a bone-health assessment.
The most common form of arthritis: the cartilage and bone of a joint change over time, causing pain, stiffness and reduced movement, most often in knees, hips, hands and spine.
Family doctor, physiotherapist; orthopedics if joint replacement is considered.
A group of inherited conditions, often called brittle bone disease, in which bones break easily because of changes in collagen. Severity varies widely.
Specialist bone clinics and genetics services.
An infection in bone, which can follow an injury, surgery or spread through the blood. It can cause bone pain, fever and swelling, and needs prompt treatment.
Urgent medical care; infectious disease and orthopedic teams.
Bone density below normal but not low enough to be called osteoporosis: a DXA T-score between −1.0 and −2.5. It's a signal to protect your bones, and sometimes to treat, depending on fracture risk.
Family doctor or osteoporosis clinic.
A condition in which bones become thinner and weaker, so they break more easily, often without any symptoms until a fracture. Diagnosed with a bone density test and clinical assessment, and very treatable.
Family doctor, endocrinologist, rheumatologist or osteoporosis clinic.
A condition in which bone renews itself abnormally, producing bone that is enlarged but weaker, most often in the pelvis, spine, skull or legs. It's often found by chance on an X-ray or blood test.
Usually managed by an endocrinologist or rheumatologist.
Pain under the heel, often worst with the first steps in the morning, from irritation of the thick band of tissue under the foot. Most cases settle with stretching and footwear changes.
Family doctor, physiotherapist or podiatrist.
An autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks joint linings, often in the hands and feet on both sides, causing swelling, pain and morning stiffness. Early treatment helps protect joints.
Rheumatologist.
Softening of bones, usually from a lack of vitamin D, calcium or phosphate. In children it's called rickets and can bend growing bones; in adults it's osteomalacia and causes bone pain and weakness.
Family doctor, pediatrician or endocrinologist.
Damage to the group of tendons that hold the shoulder joint steady, from an injury or wear over time. It causes shoulder pain and weakness, especially lifting the arm.
Physiotherapist, sports medicine or orthopedic specialist.
A sideways curve of the spine, most often noticed in adolescence. Many curves are mild and only need monitoring; larger or growing curves may need bracing or surgery.
Family doctor or pediatrician, then a spine specialist.
Tiny cracks from repeated loading, common in runners, dancers and military recruits, often in the foot or shin. They hurt with activity and improve with rest. Repeated stress fractures deserve a bone-health check.
Sports medicine doctor or physiotherapist.
Pain and irritation of a tendon from overuse, such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy or patellar tendinopathy. Gradual strengthening exercise is a mainstay of treatment.
Physiotherapist or sports medicine doctor.
Collapse of one or more spinal bones, often caused by osteoporosis. They may cause sudden back pain, or none at all, and can lead to height loss and a stooped posture.
Family doctor, osteoporosis clinic; spine specialist for severe pain.
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