As women approach middle age, they may encounter unique musculoskeletal problems that affect them more frequently than men. Learn about 5 of the most common orthopedic surgeries sought out by women over 40.

A bone spur, or osteophyte, is a growth of extra bone. Bone spurs by themselves aren't dangerous or harmful, but they can cause problems if they interfere with surrounding tissue, nerves, or other bones.

People injure themselves every day, but not everyone seeks treatment immediately like they should. If you have a musculoskeletal injury like a concussion, bone break, sprain, or ligament or tendon damage, not seeking treatment could have serious consequences for your health.

If you're an adult who participates in a strenuous sport or physical activity on the weekends, you're what's called a "weekend warrior." Getting out and exercising is a good thing — but if, like most Americans, you've been sitting 40 or more hours per week, you're likely to see an injury in your future.

Carrying extra weight can lead to aches and pains. But did you know that being overweight or obese can damage your joints permanently?

At the end of a long day or week, being a couch potato and catching up on your favorite TV shows or video games can be relaxing. But what's the true cost of all that "down time"? 

The Achilles tendon is the thickest tendon in the body, running alongside the back of the lower leg and ankle. It connects the heel bone (calcaneus) to the muscles at the back of the calf and controls the raising and lowering of the heel. The Achilles tendon is one of the most frequently injured tendons, especially among athletes. A sore Achilles can affect your walking, running, and sports...

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative condition affecting the joints. About 27 million people in the U.S. have some form of OA, which is a breakdown of joint cartilage that can lead to pain, swelling, and stiffness. OA is a long-term, incurable disease; you can't reverse its effects, but you can learn strategies and options for managing your symptoms.

If you follow professional sports, you may have heard about platelet rich plasma therapy, or PRP — a therapy credited by many world-class athletes for accelerating the repair of their sports injuries. Today, more and more orthopedists are offering PRP injections to help treat non-pro sports injuries and arthritis — but what exactly is PRP, and is it right for you? 

Knee cartilage tears are often caused by sports injuries, but they can result from any activity involving twisting or bending of the knee. As you age, the everyday forces you put on your knees can wear out the cartilage, leading to a gradual injury that feels sudden — you're fine until one day, you squat or twist and you feel something ripping.