Foot pain

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Treatment: Corns and Callus...
• Treatment: Bunions
• Treatment: Hammertoes
• Treatment: Ingrown Toenails...
• Treatment: Forefoot Pain...
• Treatment: Heel Pain
• Treatment: Flat Feet
• Treatment: Abnormally High ...
• Treatment: Tarsal Tunnel Sy...
• Treatment: Foot Injury
• Prevention
• Shoes
• Insoles and Orthotics
• Resources
• References

• Orthonyxia, a surgical technique that implants a small metal brace into the top of the nail, was as effective as traditional surgical techniques for preventing ingrown toenail from recurring, according to one study.
• A nonsurgical method for treating ingrown toenail with chemicals uses either sodium hydroxide or phenol, but one study shows that sodium hydroxide procedures have a better outcome and faster recovery than phenol procedures.

• Ultrasound-guided injection of alcohol might provide relief from Morton's neuroma, according to one study. Symptoms improved in 94% of patients who had the treatment, a success rate comparable to that of surgery.

• NSAIDs reduce pain and disability in people with plantar fasciitis when used with other techniques, such as night splints and stretching.
• Studies show that extracorporeal shockwave therapy provides a very small reduction in heel pain without side effects. It may be a good option for patients who haven't responded well to conservative treatment.

• An estimated 120,000 job-related foot injuries occur every year, about a third of them involving the toes. - 0 Comments
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Exercise

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Recommended Exercise Method...
• Exercise's Effects on the H...
• Exercise's Effects on Diabe...
• Exercise's Effects on Bones...
• Exercise's Effects on the L...
• Exercise's Effects on Weigh...
• Exercise's Effects on Other...
• Complications
• Motivation
• Resources
• References

• A new study found that aerobic and resistance training significantly reduced fatigue in men undergoing radiation treatments for prostate cancer. Fatigue is a common side effect of such treatments.
• Doctors at the Mayo Clinic found that exercise improves the physical and emotional well-being of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The patients exercised for as little as 60 minutes each week. - 1 Comment
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Scoliosis

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Prognosis
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Managing Scoliosis
• Braces
• Surgery
• Treatment for Adult Scolios...
• Resources
• References

Osteoarthritis

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Conditions with Similar Sym...
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Prognosis
• Lifestyle Changes
• Medications
• Alternative and Complementa...
• Surgery
• Resources
• References

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX-2 inhibitors work equally well for pain management, but both types of drugs increase the risk for heart attacks, according to an important report from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research.
• The prescription NSAID diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam) may present a higher risk for heart attack than other NSAIDs, suggests a 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association study.
• Standard osteoarthritis medications provide moderate pain relief for only 2 - 3 weeks, suggests a 2007 review in the European Journal of Pain.

• An Annals of Internal Medicine study of 1,007 people with chronic osteoarthritis knee pain indicated that patients who received acupuncture plus standard care had greater improvement than those who received only physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• An Arthritis and Rheumatism study of 3,663 patients with chronic osteoarthritis knee or hip pain suggested that acupuncture plus routine care can provide significant improvements in pain relief and quality of life. In both studies, the benefits of acupuncture were sustained for up to 6 months after treatment completion.

Osteoporosis

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Fractures
• Risk Factors
• Diagnosis
• Lifestyle Changes
• Medications
• Treatment
• Resources
• References

• In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved zoledronic acid (Reclast) for postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment. Zoledronic acid is given as an injection once a year. A 2007 study in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that zoledronic acid can significantly reduce the risk of spine, hip, and other fractures.
• In 2007, the FDA approved raloxifene (Evista) for prevention of breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and postmenopausal women at high risk for breast cancer. - 1 Comment
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Kidney stones

• Highlights
• Introduction
• Causes
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Medications
• Other Treatments
• Complications
• Prevention
• Resources
• References

• Patients who have the most common type of gastric bypass surgery, the Roux-en-Y, are at increased risk for kidney stones, beginning 6 months after surgery, according to a study published in 2006.

• Calcium stones form when there is an imbalance in the urine substances that promote and block the formation of stones. Often, the cause of this imbalance is unknown.
• Having acidic urine or too much uric acid in the body leads to the formation of uric acid stones.
• Struvite stones are almost always caused by urinary tract infections due to bacteria that produce certain enzymes.
• Other stones, including cystine and xanthine stones, are usually due to genetic abnormalities.

• In about 85% of patients, the kidney stones are small enough that they pass through normal urination, usually within 2 - 3 days.
• Certain medications can prevent recurrence of stones in people who are at high risk.
• Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a technique that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to break up simple stones in the kidney or upper urinary tract. The shock waves are delivered from outside the body.
• Surgery may be necessary if the stone or stones are too big to pass, and cannot be broken down through ESWL.
• A change of diet and increased drinking of fluids, especially water, will help prevent a recurrence.