What is lower back pain? Lower back exercises you can do at home include planks, back extensions, and bridge exercises. Working from home causes people to move less during the day. As time passes, your back may become crunched up and tense after sitting at your desk, at your kitchen table, or on your couch....
What is acetaminophen? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Acetaminophen belongs to a class of drugs called analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers). The exact mechanism of action of acetaminophen is not known. It may reduce the production of prostaglandins in the brain. Prostaglandins are chemicals that cause inflammation and swelling. Acetaminophen relieves...
What are body aches? Health conditions that cause whole body aches include flu, COVID-19, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disorders. Body aches happen when your muscles, tendons, joints, and other connective tissues hurt. You may also have aches in your fascia, which is the soft tissue between your muscles, bones, and organs. If you feel like all...
What is an epidural nerve block? An epidural nerve block is a procedure to block pain by injecting anesthetic medication into the epidural space. The epidural space is the area between the inner wall of the backbone (vertebral column) and the outermost of the three membranes (dura mater) that surround the spinal cord. An epidural...
What causes a patellar dislocation? A patellar dislocation may be due to direct trauma to your patella or twisting of your knee. Along with the patellar dislocation, the injury may also result in the fracture of the patella, tibia, or femur simultaneously. The patella, commonly known as the kneecap, is one of the four bones...
What is sacroiliitis? Treatments for sacroiliitis include medications, home care, and alternative therapies. Sacroiliitis occurs when the sacroiliac joints become inflamed. These joints are located at the lower part of your spine where it connects to your pelvic area, close to your hips. This condition is also known as sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Either term can...
What is an infraclavicular nerve block? An infraclavicular nerve block is injected just below the collarbone to numb the brachial plexus, which provides nerve function to the arm. An infraclavicular nerve block is a procedure to numb the brachial plexus nerves, which transmit sensation of the arms. An anesthetic injection is administered below the collarbone...
What is Anterior Cervical Discectomy? There are three main types of anterior cervical discectomy surgeries. Anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) is a surgical procedure that involves removing a part or all of a damaged spinal disc through an incision in the neck. ACD does not involve placement of a bone graft. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion...
What is a mandibular dislocation? A mandibular dislocation is a medical emergency. Delay in its correction may result in stiffness of the jaw joint due to abnormal joining between tissues of the mandibular bone. A mandibular dislocation occurs when the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is displaced on one side (unilaterally) or both sides (bilaterally) of the...
What is a splint? The main purpose of splinting is to immobilize the joints and bones above and below the fracture site. This is to prevent bone edges from moving and damaging other muscles, vessels, or nerves and further complications. A splint is a medical device that immobilizes the injured body part and protects it...