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.

Is your wrist sore, swollen, tender, or stiff? Wrist pain, especially after a fall or accident, can indicate an injury that may require treatment.

A meniscus tear is damage sustained to the rubbery, disc-shaped "shock absorber" cartilage inside the knee joint. Such injuries are extremely common in people over age 30, especially athletes who play contact sports.

Is your Achilles tendon causing you pain? You may have an injury that needs treatment. Learn about the types of Achilles tendon injuries that exist and how to recognize them.

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...

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.

Tennis elbow (medical term: lateral epicondylitis) is an overuse injury affecting the tendons in the outside of the elbow joint. It usually presents with weak grip strength and a painful soreness or burning sensation in the outside of the elbow. Tennis elbow can be a sports injury, but its causes vary — and some may surprise you. 

Meniscus repair is a knee surgery that repairs a torn piece of cartilage inside the joint. Meniscus tears are common knee injuries, especially among athletes. How do you know if you have a torn meniscus — and if surgery is required to fix it?

If your finger or thumb gets locked in a bent position or straightens with a loud POP!, you may have trigger finger or trigger thumb. This condition isn't dangerous, but it can bring discomfort, and it may get in the way of your everyday activities. 

If your joints are aching and sore, or if you're experiencing tenderness, swelling, or stiffness in or around a joint, you have what is called arthralgia — joint pain. Arthralgia can have many causes, including injury, underlying disease, or even allergic reactions or food intolerances.