Education · general-health
General health
Last reviewed
Bone, tendon and joint problems are rarely confined to the joint itself — whole-body factors shape who develops them, how severe they become, and how well treatment works. Hormonal change is the clearest example: the loss of oestrogen through perimenopause and menopause drives a recognised cluster of musculoskeletal problems — joint and tendon pain, loss of muscle mass, accelerating bone loss, and a sharp rise in conditions seen in the upper-limb clinic, including frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome and thumb-base arthritis. Bone density, smoking, diabetes, nutrition and activity levels similarly influence fracture risk, tendon healing and recovery after surgery. The guides below explain these whole-body connections in plain language: what is happening, what the evidence supports, and what patients can do about it — alongside, not instead of, treatment for the specific condition. They are written from an upper-limb surgical practice, where these patterns are seen every week.
Conditions
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)What CRPS is, why it sometimes follows a wrist or hand injury or operation, how it is recognised and treated, and what recovery looks like.
Diabetes and Upper-Limb ConditionsWhy diabetes makes frozen shoulder, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren's more common, and how it affects healing and surgery.
Inflammatory and Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid, psoriatic and gouty arthritis affecting the hand, wrist and upper limb — what they are, how they are managed, and when surgery helps.
Lumps and Bumps on the Hand and WristFound a lump on your hand or wrist? The common causes — ganglion cysts, tendon-sheath swellings and other masses — how they are assessed, and when to worry.
Musculoskeletal Syndrome of MenopauseHow the menopausal transition and oestrogen withdrawal drive joint, tendon and muscle symptoms — arthralgia, tendinopathy, frozen shoulder, greater trochanteric pain and myalgia — and the evidence on hormone therapy.
Numbness and Tingling in the Hand and ArmWhat causes numbness, tingling or 'pins and needles' in the hand and arm — from carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel to other nerve problems — when it matters, and what helps.
Shoulder Clicking, Popping and InstabilityWhy a shoulder clicks, pops or feels like it slips — from harmless noises to labral tears and instability — what it means, and when it needs attention.
Testosterone, Anabolic Steroids and Musculoskeletal HealthHow testosterone, testosterone replacement therapy and anabolic steroids affect tendons, joints, bone and surgical outcomes — including the risks of TRT and the effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid use.
Treatments & Health Topics
Bone Health and OsteoporosisHow bone strength affects fractures, fixation and recovery — bone density, fragility fractures, and what helps keep bones strong (lifestyle, supplements and medications).
Braces, Splints and SupportsWhen braces, splints and supports help upper-limb conditions, the main types, how to use them, and what the evidence shows for sprains, tendon problems, arthritis and after surgery.
Cannabis and CBD for PainWhat the evidence does and doesn't show for cannabis and CBD in musculoskeletal pain, and practical and safety considerations.
Cortisone and Corticosteroid InjectionsWhat cortisone injections do, when they help, how long the effect lasts, and the risks of repeated injections for shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand conditions.
Managing Pain and Opioids After SurgeryHow pain is managed after upper-limb surgery — multimodal pain relief, the role and risks of opioids, nerve blocks, and using the least medication needed.
Nerve Tests and Conduction StudiesWhat nerve conduction studies and EMG are, why they are done for carpal tunnel and other nerve problems, what to expect, and how accurate they are.
Nutritional Supplements for Musculoskeletal HealthEvidence on dietary supplements for joint, muscle and bone health — protein and amino acids, creatine, collagen peptides, glucosamine and chondroitin, and omega-3 — including perioperative recovery and osteoarthritis.
Peptide Therapy in Musculoskeletal MedicineInjectable and regenerative peptide therapies in orthopaedics and sports medicine — what the evidence shows for tendon, cartilage and bone healing, and where the hype outpaces the data.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Injection TherapiesWhat the evidence shows for platelet-rich plasma and related injection therapies in tendinopathy, osteoarthritis and rotator cuff disease — where they help and where the data is weak.
Smoking and Musculoskeletal HealingHow smoking and nicotine affect bone healing, fracture union, spinal fusion, tendon and wound healing, and surgical complications — and the benefits of stopping before surgery.
Staying Active for Joint HealthWhy physical activity protects joints and tendons, how exercise helps osteoarthritis and recovery, and how to stay active safely.
Stem Cell and Regenerative InjectionsWhat stem-cell and bone-marrow-derived injections claim to do for joints and tendons, what the evidence actually shows, and the safety and regulatory caveats.
Vitamin D and Musculoskeletal HealthHow vitamin D affects bone, muscle strength, falls, fracture and tendon healing, and surgical outcomes — including who benefits from supplementation.
Weight, Obesity and Joint HealthHow body weight and obesity affect joint load, osteoarthritis, and the risks and outcomes of joint surgery — including the role of weight loss before an operation.
