KNEE PATHOLOGY

Runner's Knee
Runner's knee, also known as patellofemoral stress syndrome, is a condition where the kneecap is rubbing against the femur when moving. Common causes of runner's knee are as follows a kneecap that is located too high, weak thigh muscles, tight hamstrings, and tight achilles tendon. Pain in and around the kneecap that may be felt with activity. Rubbing, grinding, or clicking sounds are also common with runner's knee.

SHOULDER PATHOLOGY-TORN LABRUM

The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. Due to being a swallow socket, the shoulder joint has a cuff of cartilage called a labrum that forms a cup for the end of the humerus to move within. The labrum is made of a thick tissue that is susceptible to injury with trauma to the shoulder joint. The labrum also becomes more brittle with age, and can fray and tear as part of the aging process. When a patient sustains a shoulder injury, it is possible that the patient has a labral tear.
Symptoms include aching sensation in the shoulder joint, catching of the shoulder with movement, and pain with specific activities. There are three different types of labral tears. SLAP tears are most commonly seen in overhead throwing athletes such as baseball players, and tennis players. It is located at the top of the shoulder socket where the biceps tendon attaches to the shoulder. Bankart lesions are a labral tear that occurs when a shoulder dislocates. When the shoulder comes out of joint, the labrum is torn, and makes the shoulder more susceptible to future dislocations. Posterior labral tears are less common, but sometimes seen in athletes in a condition called internal impingement. In this syndrome, the rotator cuff and labrum are pinched together in the back of the shoulder.
Most labral tears do not require surgery; however, in patients who have persistent symptoms despite more conservative treatments, surgery may be necessary.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system. The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but high dietary fat intake and increased testosterone levels can be factors. Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in men of all ages. It the most common cause of cancer deaths in men over age 75. Some common symptoms of prostate cancer are urinary retention, painful urination, painful ejaculation, lower back pain, and painful bowel movements. A rectal exam will often show an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface. A PSA test, AMACR, urinalysis, and urine or prostatic fluid testing is different types of tests that may be ordered to diagnosis prostate cancer. Chest x-rays, bone scans, or CT scans are normally used to determine if the cancer has spread to other organs of the body or bones.

ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS

Acute Cholecystitis


Acute Cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder that causes severe abdominal pain. Symptoms may include right upper quadrant pain. This pain can present itself as sharp, cramping, or dull, and can radiate into the back. Other symptoms can include abdominal fullness, clay-colored stools, fever, nausea and vomiting, and yellowing of the skin (jaundice). Treatment can be IV fluids or antibiotics, but most causes may need surgery to remove the gallbladder. In most cases the cause for cholecystitis is caused by gallstones in the gallbladder. Acute Cholecystitis causes bile to become trapped in the gallbladder. This buildup will cause irritation and pressure in the gallbladder. This can lead to bacterial infection and perforation of the organ.

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is an infection due to the histoplasma capsulation fungus. There are several different categories of histoplasmosis: acute symptomatic pulmonary, chronic pulmonary and disseminated histoplasmosis. Some may not have any symptoms while others have fever, chills, cough, chest pain, cough, excessive sweating, weakness, mouth sores, and shortness of breath, rashes, or skin lesions. Symptoms normally occur within the first 3 to 17 days of exposure. Infections enter the body through the lungs. Histoplasma fungus grows as a mold in soil, and infection results from breathing in airborne particles. In the United States, it is most common in the southeastern, mid-Atlantic, and central states. It is best to stay away from dust in contaminated environments such as chicken coops and bat caves. Testing includes samples containing the fungus taken from sputum, blood, or infected organs. Chest x-rays are normal in 40-70% of cases. Chronic cases can resemble tuberculosis on chest x-rays. Primary treatments are normally an antifungal drug. Long term treatments with anti-fungal drugs are used after treatment with ampholericin.

Lumbar Compression Fractures

Lumbar Compression Fractures

Lumbar compression fractures occur when the vertebra in the spine collapse from the normal height to about half its size. A compression fracture is when the bone tissue of the vertebral body collapses. At times there can be multiple compression fractures of the spine. Osteoporosis is the most common cause of compression fractures. Other may include tumors and trauma to the back. If it results in any damage to the spinal cord symptoms may include numbness, tingling, and weakness. Depending on the area of the back, most compression fractures do not cause neurological symptoms. A spine x-ray shows at least one compressed vertebra that is shorter than the other vertebra. If there is no history of trauma, a bone density test needs to be done to evaluate for osteoporosis. If checking for a tumor that possibly made the vertebra weak, a CT or MRI scan can be used for evaluation. Majority of lumbar compression fractures are caused by osteoporosis in the elderly. These fractures generally do not cause spinal cord injury. Treatment includes treating the osteoporosis, employ back braces, or a minimally invasive technique.

Thoracic Spinal Stenosis & Thoracic Foraminal Stenosis

Thoracic Foraminal Stenosis & Thoracic Spinal Stenosis

Thoracic spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal cord or nerves are compressed by either the narrowing in the spinal canal or vertebrae. The size of the spinal cord will remain the same in the thoracic area; the canal is narrower in that region. Normally thoracic spinal stenosis is associated with either the cervical or lumbar region. The ribs provide more stability to the thoracic spine. Spinal stenosis can cause weakness in your extremities. Most cases will occur in the lower back than in the thoracic region. Thoracic foraminal stenosis symptoms are often the same. The difference in thoracic foraminal stenosis is one or more vertebral foramen is being affected. The foramen can become compressed overtime with age. Thoracic foraminal stenosis may be either congenital or degenerative. As degeneration occurs the person will experience worse pain. These symptoms can be reduced by anti-flammatory over the counter medications, laminectomy, and spinal fusions.