Health

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Debridement

A debridement is a surgical procedure to removed dead, infected, or contaminated tissue from a wound to promote prompt healing.

Myositis ossificans is a condition that causes abnormal bone formation within deep muscle tissue. Myositis ossificans generally occurs in athletes who sustain an injury to the muscle. Treatment of myositis ossificans generally involves observation, and symptoms usually resolve with time.

Tendinosis

Tendinosis is a chronic condition that causes pain and swelling of a tendon. People often confuse this type of tendon injury with tendonitis.

Definition of Spondylosis

Spondylosis is the word used to describe arthritis of the spine. Wear-and-tear arthritis, also called osteoarthritis, is a common cause of back pain. When osteoarthritis occus in the spine, the word used to descibe this condition is spondylosis.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is a condition that is characterized by a defect in part of the vertebrae called the pars interarticularis. Patients with spondylolysis may have back pain, and may be prone to developing spondylolisthesis.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition that occurs when there are bilateral defects of the pars interarticularis of the spine, most commonly the lumbar spine.

Fracture

What is the difference between a fracture and a break? The words fracture and broken bone mean the same thing. While there are very different types of fractures, they can all be called a broken bone.

Baker's Cyst

A Baker's Cyst, or a popliteal cyst, is a collection of fluid on the back of the knee. A Baker's Cyst is usually caused by fluid from the knee joint collecting behind the knee. Treatment of a Baker's Cyst involves treatment of the cause of the fluid accumulation.

Funny Bone

What happens when you hit your funny bone? When you hit your funny bone, you have shooting pain and tingling down your forearm and hand. When you hit your funny bone, you actually are hitting a nerve, the ulnar nerve, as it passes behind the elbow.

Thompson Test

The Thompson test is performed when making the diagnosis of an Achilles tendon tear. A positive Thompson test is consistent with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Eccentric Contraction

An eccentric contraction occurs when a muscle is contracting, and an external force is trying to lengthen the muscle. The classic mechanism for a muscle strain is an eccentric contraction.

Tommy John Surgery

Tommy John surgery is a procedure to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. Tommy John surgery has been performed on professional baseball pitchers with excellent success.

Chondrolysis

Chondrolysis is a condition that occurs when there is sudden, severe damage to joint cartilage. This condition leads to the destruction of the normal cartilage lining of a joint. Ultimately, chondrolysis leads to a rapidly progressing, severe arthritis.

Osteopenia

Osteopenia is a condition that occurs when the bone density is less than normal, but not yet considered osteoporosis. Osteopenia is often considered a precursor to osteoporosis.

Arthrofibrosis of the Elbow

Arthrofibrosis is a condition that causes the formation of dense fibrous scar tissue within the joint. This is sometimes seen after traumatic injuries or surgical procedures. Formation of arthrofibrosis can prevent normal elbow motion.

Thrower's Elbow

Thrower's elbow is a specific problem of elbow pain in athletes who perform overhead throwing motions, specifically baseball pitchers. The high forces on the elbow joint cause a repetative injury to back of the joint. In some throwers, a bone spur forms that may even require removal.

X-Ray Template

An x-ray template is a device that allows your surgeon to plan for an upcoming procedure. Most often used prior to joint replacement surgery or fracture repair surgery, an x-ray template can help your surgeon predict what implants may be needed at the time of surgery.

Arthrodesis - Fusion of a Joint

Arthrodesis is a surgical procedure often used for treatment of advanced arthritis. Arthrodesis permanently fixes a joint in one position and allows bone to form across the joint. After an arthrodesis procedure, the joint will no longer bend.

Tendon

What is a tendon? A tendon is a structure that connects muscle to bone. Tendons are commonly inflamed is a condition called tendonitis.

Watershed Zone of Tendon

There are hundreds of tendons in our bodies, but only a select few tend to have problems. Usually these problem areas occur as a result of poor blood supply to the tendon tissue. The blood supply to these parts of the tendon are called 'watershed zones,' areas where the blood vessels are furthest away.

Epiphyseodesis

An epiphyseodesis is a surgical procedure performed to attempt to close a growth plate before it closes on its own. An epiphyseodesis is usually performed on a healthy growth plate when the other limb has a damaged growth plate that has closed too soon.

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