Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Fall 2020

Common middle-age orthopedic conditions Many people seem to experience age-related pain, ailments and injuries when they turn 40. “When you turn 40, it seems that everything starts to hurt,” says board certified orthopedic surgeon Troy Morrison, D.O., with CMH Orthopedic & Spine Center in Bolivar. “Because of busy lifestyles, weight gain and lack of activity, middle-aged adults can find themselves feeling aches and pains they didn’t have when they were younger.” Dr. Morrison says that two common middle-age orthopedic conditions are meniscus tears and lumbar facet joint sprains. “Meniscus tears are one of the most common knee injuries we see in people over 40,” Dr. Morrison explains. “As we age, the cartilage in the knee weakens and wears thin. The aged, worn tissue is more prone to tears. The injury can happen to athletes or by simply squatting down to work in your garden.” Symptoms of a torn meniscus include pain, swelling, stiffness and sometimes difficulty when extending the knee. Some patients feel clicking or locking of the knee. “A meniscus tear won’t heal on its own, and avoiding treatment will only lead to more serious Troy Morrison, D.O., board certified orthopedic surgeon with CMH Orthopedic & Spine Center, Bolivar. AVOIDING 40 ACHESANDPAINS AFTER ORTHOPEDICS 12 VITALITY Fall 2020