The ACL or anterior cruciate ligament is the most important ligament in the knee. When it is completely torn, it can lead to instability or buckling of the knee. Why is it so important? What makes it unique? Why doesn’t it heal? Why do surgeons recommend getting it fixed? Is it necessary to get it fixed if I CrossFit®? Are there things I should avoid in CrossFit and life if I don’t get it fixed? All good questions but let’s check out its...

Baker’s cysts are notorious for causing confusion, distress, and uncertainty. Unfortunately, those feelings can be the doctor’s sometimes, not the patient. But the problem is easily identifiable and can be taken care of with the right treatment. They are extremely common and most commonly cause swelling and tightness in the back of the knee. They usually do not cause pain which is more commonly associated with either arthritis or a...

I want to update biceps tenodesis as the treatment of some conditions has evolved over time. Studies show that this procedure is a very reliable procedure for people with SLAP (superior labral anterior-posterior) tears, biceps labral complex tears, or even biceps tendonitis that has not improved with conservative measures. People who have pain in the front of the shoulder over the biceps tendon radiating down the arm to the muscle belly are...

This post will focus on frozen shoulders as in frozen not moving, not frozen as in cold outside.  The most common story is that someone will notice, they can no longer reach above their head, behind their back, or off to their side without severe amount of pain. They have trouble in the shower, drying off, putting on underarm deodorant, and getting dressed. They have trouble at the box pressing or jerking overhead. The basic problem is loss of...

The rotator cuff is made up of 4 muscles that attach to the ball of the ball and socket joint known as the shoulder. There is a space between the rotator cuff and the bone that lies directly above it. On top of the muscle is a bursa that allows the muscles to glide against the bone easily. When the bursa becomes inflamed it is called bursitis. Here is the shoulder with its 4 muscles. When you lift your arm overhead, there is a tendency for the...

The biceps is a great muscle with some intricacies that has provided decades of confusion for orthopedic surgeons. We finally think we have figured it out, but then again that’s what they said about VHS videotapes. First the anatomy of the biceps muscle. It is made up of two tendons that attach to the scapula in two different places. The short head of the biceps starts at the part of the scapula called the coracoid. This is a pressure point and...

 Arthritis: Stages of Arthritis Grades 1-4 Arthritis is the inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. Grade 0 – Grade 0 is a healthy joint with no signs of damage or impairment. Grade 1 – Grade 1 includes minor wear and tear on the joint. This is minor and unlikely to cause any pain or discomfort. Grade 2 – Grade 2 is mild arthritis. The cartilage between the bones will appear normal, but it is likely that...