Extremities Pain: (arms and legs):achy, numb, stiff, sharp, dull, stabbing, throbbing

·         The extremities include the shoulders, wrists, elbows, hands, hips, knees, ankles and feet.  These areas can be affected locally i.e. ankle sprains or carpal tunnel syndrome.  They can also have symptoms radiated to their area i.e. compression of a nerve in the spinal column or angina (heart attack). 

·    Shoulders:  built for mobility but very unstable.  There are technically 2 bones that make up the shoulder complex, but it could be argued that the clavicle (collarbone) plays a large role in the function of the shoulder.  Numerous muscles provide the force to move the arm as well as support.  There are also a number of ligaments, which aid in the shoulders limited stability.  Straining anyone of the muscles of the shoulder girdle can produce pain as can pinching of the ligaments or bursas.

·    Elbows:  The motions of the elbow are limited.  It is unable to bend side ways but does have an affect on the wrist/hand by allowing it to rotate.  The elbow is made up of 3 bones; humerus, radius and ulna.  Another feature with the elbow is the “funny bone”.  This actually the ulnar nerve which runs behind the ulna.  When jarred a tingling sensation is felt around the are as well as in to the wrist/hand.

·    Wrist/Hand: The wrist/hand is made up of numerous bones.  Tiny muscles perform some of the motions of this area a larger amount of the motions is controlled by muscle that are actually in the forearm.  The “carpal tunnel” is made up of the wrist (carpal) bones and a ligament.  It is this tunnel that poses a problem for those that use their wrists/hands a lot.

·    Hips:  The hips have 2 primary function, locomotion and weight bearing.  Numerous muscle and ligaments go into making up this joint.  It is easy to see how hip fractures can be a common occurrence in the elderly if one looks at their primary functions. 

·    Knees:  The knee joint is relatively unstable and it is common for athletes to injure it.  The ligamentous support is more for motion that support.  Strain or tearing of the ligaments produces localized pain as well as swelling.

·    Foot/ankle: There are 28 bones that make up the foot and ankle complex, with numerous muscles and ligaments that add support and motion.  The foot is the foundation of the lower extremities and many orthopedists would argue that it is foundation of the entire body.  Because of the various terrains we must cross, this structure must be able to adapt.