Patient Information / Conditions & Education
Patient Information

Conditions & Education

Patient-education resources from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), organized by body area. Each links out to OrthoInfo.org for in-depth, physician-reviewed information, and some conditions also include a downloadable exercise handout or guideline summary.

Knee

ACL Tear / Reconstruction

Injury to the ligament that stabilizes forward motion and rotation of the knee.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

PCL Injury

Injury to the knee's other major stabilizing ligament, often from a direct blow to the shin.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

MCL / LCL Injury

Sprain or tear of the ligaments on the inner or outer side of the knee.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Combined ACL-PCL-PLC Injury

A more complex injury involving multiple knee ligaments at once.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Meniscus Tear

A tear in the cartilage cushion between the thighbone and shinbone.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Meniscus Repair

Surgical repair to preserve a torn meniscus rather than removing it.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Cartilage Injury / OCD

Damage to the smooth joint surface, including loss of blood supply to underlying bone.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Cartilage Restoration (Microfracture / OATS)

Procedures to repair or replace damaged cartilage within the knee joint.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Patellar Instability / MPFL Reconstruction

Kneecap that partially or fully shifts out of its normal groove.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Patella (Kneecap) Fracture

A break in the kneecap, ranging from a hairline crack to multiple fragments.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Patellar Tendon Tear

Tear of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Quadriceps Tendon Tear

Tear of the tendon connecting the thigh muscle to the kneecap.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO)

A bone-realignment procedure to shift weight away from a worn part of the knee.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Knee Arthroscopy

Minimally invasive surgery used to diagnose and treat many knee conditions.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Total Knee Replacement

Replacement of worn knee joint surfaces with an artificial implant.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Knee Osteoarthritis

Gradual breakdown of joint cartilage, the most common cause of chronic knee pain.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Manipulation Under Anesthesia

A procedure to restore motion in a knee that has become stiff after injury or surgery.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Knee Conditioning Program

A general home exercise program for building strength and mobility in the knee.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Shoulder

Rotator Cuff Tear

Tear of the tendons that stabilize and power shoulder movement.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Rotator Cuff Repair

Surgical repair options for rotator cuff tears of varying size.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Shoulder Instability / Bankart Tear

Shoulder that partially or fully slips out of its socket, often repeatedly.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Glenoid Labrum Tear

Tear of the cartilage rim that helps stabilize the shoulder socket.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

SLAP Tear

A specific type of labrum tear at the top of the shoulder socket.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

AC Joint Injury / Reconstruction

Injury to the joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Shoulder Arthritis / Distal Clavicle Excision

Breakdown of shoulder joint cartilage, and a procedure to relieve related pain.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Biceps Tendinitis / Tenodesis

Irritation or instability of the biceps tendon at the shoulder, and its surgical repair.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Pectoralis Major Tear / Repair

Tear of the chest tendon that attaches to the upper arm bone.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Proximal Humerus Fracture

A break in the upper arm bone near the shoulder.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Shoulder Replacement

Replacement of a worn or damaged shoulder joint with an artificial implant.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Frozen Shoulder / Manipulation Under Anesthesia

Progressive stiffness and pain in the shoulder, sometimes treated with a motion-restoring procedure.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Minimally invasive surgery used to diagnose and treat many shoulder conditions.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Conditioning Program

A general home exercise program for shoulder strength and mobility.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Hip

Hip Arthroscopy

Minimally invasive surgery used to diagnose and treat many hip conditions.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

FAI / Labral Tear

Abnormal bone contact in the hip joint that can pinch and tear the labrum.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Gluteus Medius / Minimus Tear

Tear of the hip muscles that stabilize the pelvis during walking.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Proximal Hamstring Tear / Repair

Tear of the hamstring tendon where it attaches near the sit bone.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Iliopsoas Impingement / Release

Irritation of the hip flexor tendon, sometimes causing a snapping sensation.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Total Hip Replacement

Replacement of a worn or damaged hip joint with an artificial implant.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Hip Conditioning Program

A general home exercise program for hip strength and mobility.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Elbow

Distal Biceps Tendon Tear / Repair

Tear of the biceps tendon where it attaches near the elbow.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Distal Triceps Tendon Tear / Repair

Tear of the triceps tendon where it attaches near the elbow.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Overuse irritation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Olecranon Fracture

A break in the bony point of the elbow.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Wrist & Hand

Distal Radius Fracture

A break in the forearm bone near the wrist, one of the most common fractures.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Cast / Splint Aftercare

General guidance for caring for a cast or splint during healing.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Ankle & Foot

Ankle Sprain

Stretching or tearing of the ligaments that stabilize the outer ankle.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Achilles Tendon Rupture / Repair

A sudden tear of the large tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Ankle Fracture

A break in one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Ankle Arthroscopy

Minimally invasive surgery used to diagnose and treat ankle joint conditions.

via AAOS OrthoInfo

Foot & Ankle Conditioning Program

A general home exercise program for foot and ankle strength and mobility.

via AAOS OrthoInfo