Sciatica is a term describing the symptoms of leg pain originating in the lower back, traveling through the buttock and down the sciatic nerve located at the back of each leg. The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the body, made up of individual nerve roots branching from the spine in the lower back.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a pinched nerve in the wrist that can cause, numbness and tingling in the hand and arm. It is due to compression of the median nerve, which passes through the carpal tunnel at the base of the wrist and into the hand.

As pressure builds within the carpal tunnel, the median nerve no longer conducts electricity properly which leads to the symptoms of numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers. As Carpal Tunnel Syndrome progresses it may limit your ability to work, participate in sports, or perform daily activities. It’s a condition that affects nearly 3 million Americans annually and is treatable at MidAmerica’s Palos Hills and Mokena clinics.

The spine consists of vertebrae and discs. Between the vertebrae and discs are spaces, and when this space is narrowed it can place pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves traveling through the spine into the arms and legs. When this happens, it is known as spinal stenosis.

Bone spurs are projections of the bone that develop along the bone’s edge. They can develop throughout the body in the knees, fingers, shoulders, hips, and spine. Patients can find significant relief from bone spurs through home treatment, physical therapy, and in worst-case scenarios, surgery.

MidAmerica Orthopaedics is proud to welcome Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist Dr. Prasad Gourineni, MD to our practice on June 1.

With over twenty years of experience under his belt, Dr. Gourineni comes to MidAmerica Orthopaedics after practicing in nearby communities.

Dr. Gourineni completed medical school at Andhra Medical College, India, as well as residencies at Mangalore and Northwestern Universities. After discovering his aptitude for hip preservation, Dr. Gourineni completed fellowships in Vail, CO, Dallas, TX, and Bern, Switzerland, acquiring vast amounts of knowledge about open surgical dislocation and hip osteotomies.

Ganglion cysts are common benign (non-cancerous) tumors that appear in the hand and wrist adjacent to joints or tendons. Common locations are the top and bottom of the wrist, the base of the finger palm-side, and the top of the end joint of the finger palm-side.

Tendons connect muscle to bone and are primarily made up of collagen fibers, water, and connective tissue. They are an integral component of our musculoskeletal system, but can be a source of pain, dysfunction and may lead to a condition called tendonitis.

Tendon problems (or tendinopathy) may affect any joint, especially the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, etc. As with a muscle, tendons have structural breaking points. When stress is applied to the tendon, it will elongate slightly.

If the stress continues beyond the tensile strength that the tendon can handle, it will rupture. This frequently requires surgical treatment and should be evaluated by a physician if suspected.

While there are multiple causes for back pain, a common diagnosis is a herniated disc. Commonly referred to as a “ruptured” or “slipped” disc, a herniated disc often affects the lower back or neck region with pain ranging from mild to extreme. Fortunately when it comes to herniated discs, most patients experience significant improvement within a few months of home treatment and physical therapy available at MidAmerica’s Palos Hills and Mokena locations.