Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) is a condition in which your thumb or finger gets stuck and may "snap" in and out of a bent position. Occurring when the sheath covering the finger tendon is inflamed, trigger finger is often caused or made worse by work or activities that require tight gripping. Trigger finger may also be a complication of diabetes. Symptoms of this joint disorder include stiffness in the finger, popping sounds during movement, tenderness at the base of the finger(s), and locked finger joints. Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics offers diagnosis and conservative treatment of trigger finger. Treatment recommendations may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), bracing, stretching or corticosteroid injections. In some cases, surgery is required for trigger finger. Your PBSO doctor will recommend a network of qualified surgeons and follow-up on future care, as needed.

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects millions of people around the world and is particularly common in knees, hips, spine and hands. OA develops as the joints' protective cartilage wears down over time, causing loss of mobility and painful friction during joint movement. In worst cases, you may experience total cartilage loss, leaving the joint "bone on bone." This severe form of OA causes extreme pain and joint stiffness. Although osteoarthritis is degenerative, it can often be well-managed with conservative measures like prescribed activity recommendations, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, chronic pain medications or physical and occupational therapy. Injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid therapy may also be beneficial. If surgery is needed for joint replacement or bone realignment, Dr. Balar and his team will refer you to an expert surgeon in your area.

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel and foot pain that develops when the plantar fascia, the soft tissue that connects toes to heel bone, becomes irritated or inflamed. This connective tissue disorder leads to stabbing foot pain that is particularly severe upon rising or moving after inactivity. Long periods of standing can also exacerbate plantar fasciitis. Runners and fitness enthusiasts are prone to developing plantar fasciitis, but being overweight also increases the risk for this condition. When plantar fasciitis is not diagnosed and treated correctly, it may lead to issues in the knee, hip and back. Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics provides evaluation, imaging and diagnosis for plantar fasciitis. Conservative treatment methods include physical therapy, night splints, orthotics and corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma injections. In rare cases, plantar fasciitis patients require surgery to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone. PBSO provides referrals to area surgeons for this procedure.

A sprain is a common injury that develops when the fibrous bands connecting joint bones (ligaments) are overstretched. Often occurring in ankles, knees and wrists, severe sprains may also result in a total ligament tear. Strains are injuries to tendons or muscles that may also result in a complete tear. Both sprains and strains are usually caused by repetitive overuse, overstretching or impact/force. The sports medicine specialists at Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics offer advanced imaging and diagnosis of sprains and strains. Our team provides conservative treatments that include physical therapy, ice and compression or bracing. We may also recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections or platelet-rich plasma injections to accelerate healing. When a total ligament or tendon tear is present and surgery is indicated, Dr. Balar will refer you to a qualified area surgeon.

Caused by repetitive use, impact or injury, tendinitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the body's tendons (cords attaching muscle to bone). While tendinitis often occurs in athletes, activities like gardening, scrubbing, painting or raking may also lead to tendinitis. Occasionally, tendinitis arises as a complication from health issues like gout, thyroid disorders or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics team treats tendinitis using physical therapy, activity recommendations, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid injections. In rare cases when tendinitis does not respond to conservative measures, the PBSO team will refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for surgical intervention.

Bursitis is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the bursae sacs that cushion joint-related tendons, bones and muscles. Shoulder, hip and elbow bursitis are common, but the condition may also occur in other locations and is often caused by repetitive joint motions or prolonged joint pressure. At Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics, we used advanced imaging, evaluation and diagnosis to recommend treatment protocols. Conservative intervention includes antibiotics for infection, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections or assistive devices (canes, etc.). When conservative treatments fail to deliver relief, PBSO may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for surgical draining of the bursae.