MOA Blog

ABOUT THE HIP

The hip is one of the largest weight bearing joints in the body. It is a ball-and-socket joint that has two main parts — the femoral head and the acetabulum.

The femoral head is a ball-shaped bone at the top of the femur (thigh bone). The acetabulum is the socket in the pelvis, into which the femoral head fits. To stabilize the joint, ligaments connect the ball to the socket. The joint capsule is lined with a thin membrane called the synovium. The synovium produces a viscous fluid, which lubricates the joint. Small fluid-filled sacs called bursae cushion the joint where there is friction between the tendons, muscles and bones.

Large muscles enable movement of the hip, in addition to providing additional stability. They are the gluteals, abductors, iliopsoas, quadriceps and hamstrings.

WHAT IS A TENDON?

A tendon is a strong band of tissue that connects your muscles to bones. They’re made of collagen, making them fibrous and able to withstand tension. Tendons transmit force generated by your muscle to allow movement at a joint.

 The thickest tendon in the body is the Achilles tendon that runs down the back of the calf to the heel. The longest tendon is the plantaris tendon — it is also part of the calf. The smallest tendon, the stapedius tendon, is found in the inner ear.

WHAT ARE THE HAMSTRINGS?

There’s a misconception that the hamstring is one large muscle running down the back of the thigh. The hamstrings are actually a group of three muscles: the semitendinosus, the semimembranosus and the biceps femoris.

The three muscles run from the bottom of the pelvis to the the knee joint, helping you bend your knees and extend the legs straight back. The hamstring tendons attach the muscles to bone.

In response to injured or unhealthy tissues, our bodies create an inflammatory response. Part of this response includes cells that enhance healing and also includes cells that cause swelling and pain. New and innovative treatment techniques exist to enhance the body’s ability to heal an area and also decrease pain and swelling. These treatments are known as autologous therapy (cells that are obtained from the patient’s own blood or tissues).

Read more about biologic treatments such as platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate concentration injections below.

Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates recently hired two new Morgantown orthopedic surgeons:

• Jacob M. Conjeski, M.D.
• Matthew J. Schessler, M.D.

“We are very excited to welcome these two surgeons,” said Matthew P. Darmelio, M.D., MOA president. “Their experience will bring a new level of expertise to the MOA family.”

What a Patient Can Expect When Coming to Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates for Dupuytren’s Contracture

Dupuytren’s Contracture is described as a proliferation of tissue, or a “cord,” underneath the skin. It most commonly affects the hand, in between the ring and pinky finger. Those coming to Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates for treatment can expect options, as well as information about each of these options.

Xiaflex Can Treat Dupuytren's Contracture

Xiaflex (Colleganase clostridium histolyticum) is a prescription medication for adults suffering from Dupuytren’s Contracture, a soft tissue problem that causes contractures in the hand. It has been on the market since 2010 and is the only non-invasive medicine for Dupuytren’s Contracture.

What is Dupuytren's Contracture

Dupuytren’s Contracture is described as a proliferation (or a cord) of tissue underneath the skin, usually in the hand, and around the ring and pinky fingers. As this tissue builds up, Dupuytren's causes the fingers to bend, thus creating a contracture.

What is a slap tear?  

A slap tear is a fairly common injury in athletes of all sports and ages, in those who exercise vigorously and amongst laborers.

A slap tear is an injury to the top portion of the glenoid labrum, which is a band of soft tissue that sits around the rim of the glenoid or socket of the shoulder joint.