Health Information

Cases of weak bones (osteoporosis) and life-changing fractures from falls are on the increase. Find out what you can do to keep your bones fit for purpose whatever your age.

Find out how everyday standing and sitting habits can cause back pain and other ailments.

Trigger finger is a condition that affects the tendons in the hand. When the affected finger or thumb is bent towards the palm, the tendon gets stuck and the finger clicks or locks. It's also known as stenosing tenosynovitis or stenosing tenovaginosis.

Traction is the use of weights, ropes and pulleys to apply force to tissues surrounding a broken bone. It's sometimes used to keep a broken leg in the correct position during the early stages of healing, or to ease the pain of a fracture while a person is waiting for surgery.

Tendons are strong bands or cords of tissue that attach muscle to bone. They help move the bones and joints when muscles contract. The main types of tendon injury are: tendonitis – inflammation of a tendon

Scoliosis is the abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine. It is usually first noticed by a change in appearance of the back.

Whiplash is a term that describes a neck injury caused by a sudden movement of the head forwards, backwards or sideways. It often occurs after a sudden impact such as a road traffic accident (see below).

Reactive arthritis, formerly known as Reiter's syndrome, is a condition that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) in various places in the body.

A slipped disc – known as a prolapsed or herniated disc – occurs when one of the discs that sit between the bones of the spine (the vertebrae) is damaged and presses on the nerves.

Trauma and orthopaedics is an area of surgery concerned with injuries and conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system (the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves).

Osteomyelitis is the medical term for a bone infection, usually caused by bacteria. Osteomyelitis most commonly affects the long bones in the legs, but other bones, such as those in the back or arms, can also be affected.

Shin splints is a general term used to describe exercise-induced pain in the front of the lower legs, or shins. The shin pain can be felt during or after strenuous activity, particularly running, or sports with sudden stops and starts, such as basketball and tennis.