Directory of Diseases
This is the rupture or tearing of the ligaments connecting the collarbone (clavicle) to the acromion bone which is found on top of the shoulder. Ligaments are tough fibrous bands that hold bones together. They are similar to the white bands that hold chicken legs together. The same fibrous bands exist in our shoulder. By falling or other traumatic events one can break the ligaments of the A-C joint causing pain and deformity of the shoulder. Most of these injuries heal without the need for surgery but require that the shoulder be immobilized for several weeks.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee is one of the most frequently injured ligaments. It is responsible for stabilizing forward movement of the knee. When it is completely torn, the lower leg can move too far forward with respect to the knee. This ligament is usually injured while cutting, changing direction, landing a jump, playing football or soccer. Most people who injure their ACL will hear a 'pop', have immediate pain & swelling of the knee and have difficulty walking. The knee often feels unstable like it is giving way. This injury is common in high school football and female soccer players. Individuals who are active will need surgical repair for treatment.
Abdominal pain (unspecified) is pain of unclear origin. Sometimes the cause of abdominal pain is difficult to determine. This is especially true when abdominal pain is vague and/or lasts for months or years. This can be very frustrating for the patient as well as the doctor. The good news is that this type of abdominal pain is typically not life-threatening.
Abdominal trauma is an injury to the abdomen. Trauma to the abdomen is classified into two main categories: penetrating and blunt. Gunshot wounds and stabbings are examples of penetrating trauma. Blunt trauma occurs after being hit in the abdomen like in a car accident or fall. There are many organs in the abdomen and any of these can be damaged from trauma. The most commonly injured organs are the liver, spleen, pancreas, intestines, stomach, kidneys, bladder or aorta. Trauma to the abdomen must be treated emergently. If you have abdominal pain after trauma you need to be evaluated in an emergency room right away.
Abdominal wall abscess is a bacterial skin infection of the abdominal wall. You may have associated pain, redness, swelling and fever. An abscess is formed when pus collects under the skin's surface. An abscess may feel fluid-filled when you touch it. Skin infections typically need antibiotic treatment and/or a procedure called incision and drainage.
Abdominal wall cellulitis is a skin infection of the abdominal wall. Skin infections are most often caused by bacteria that find away to get under your skin. You may have pain, redness and fever associated with this condition. Diabetics and people taking medicines for cancer and HIV are highly likely to develop cellulitis. If left untreated, cellulitis can sometimes spread to the surrounding skin, form an abscess, or spread to the bloodstream, which can be dangerous.
Shingles is a painful rash that occurs due to a reactivation of the chickenpox virus (Varicella Zoster Virus). It most commonly occurs as a single "stripe" of clustered blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of the chest wall or rib cage. Individuals that have had chickenpox in the past carry the inactive virus in their nerve tissues in the body. Years later, the same virus can reactivate due to stress, an immunocompromised state, age, or other unknown factors and cause the rash known as shingles. Shingles is not life-threatening but can be quite painful. Early treatment with antiviral medication can help to shorten the duration of shingles. The rash may continue to hurt even after it has cleared.
As a woman progresses from having regular menstrual cycles to menopause, bleeding can often occur. In some instances, the bleeding may be more excessive, frequent, or longer than expected. This is usually due to the hormonal changes in women as they age. Abnormal or excessive bleeding during this time should be evaluated by a gynecologist to help address the cause.
This is a rupture of the tendon on the back of the heel that extends to the calf called the Achilles tendon. This kind of injury occurs most often during sport activities, including jumping or running. Patients often report feeling or hearing a "pop" in the back of their ankle or leg when the injury occurs. If you injured the back of your ankle and felt a sudden pop and have difficulty walking, you may have a torn achilles tendon.
Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon on the back of the foot above the heel. This tendon connects the calf muscles to the back of the foot. Pain is often found in the back lower leg extending to the heel and is exacerbated by walking or running. If you have pain in the back of your ankle and did not recently injure your ankle and have pain when you walk, you maybe suffering from Achilles tendonitis.
This is arthritis of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint in the shoulder. This joint is made up of the tip of the collarbone and the bone at the top of the shoulder called the acromion. Arthritis can affect any joint in the body. Arthritic pain usually feels achy and is worst when a joint is first used or moved. The pain of arthritis usually improves with continued use and movement of the joint affected. In AC joint osteoarthritis, however, the pain worsens with pushing (like doing push-ups), sleeping on the affected shoulder and raising the arm above the head. This condition is usually treated by rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. Occasionally a steroid injection is used to treat the inflammation.
This is increased pressure within the eye which can cause eye pain, nausea, headache and loss of your vision. Acute closed angle glaucoma is less common than chronic open angle glaucoma. The fluid in the front of the eye (aqueous humor) exits through a pathway and when that pathway narrows the fluid accumulates leading to increased pressure in the eye. If you have a sudden onset of eye pain, headache and vision loss you maybe suffering from acute angle glaucoma.
Urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder (cannot urinate). The symptoms may start off as difficulty starting the flow of urine, a weak stream, or urinating frequently. Some may feel urgency to urinate or “leaking” urine because the bladder is full. There are many causes of urinary retention. One cause may be medications such as anticholinergics, the older drugs for depression, antihistamines, some blood pressure-lowering drugs, antipsychotics, hormonal agents, and muscle relaxants. Another possible cause is nerve damage from stroke, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, trauma to the spine or pelvis, or pressure on the spinal cord. Obstruction may also cause urinary retention. In women this could be due to a bladder that sags. This is called a cystocele. It can also be caused when the rectum sags into the back wall of the vagina. This is called a rectocele.
Urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder (cannot urinate). The symptoms may start off as difficulty starting the flow of urine, a weak stream, or urinating frequently. Some may feel urgency to urinate or “leaking” urine because the bladder is full. There are many causes of urinary retention. In men, the most common cause is obstruction from an enlarged prostate. This condition may also be caused by certain medications such as anticholinergics, the older drugs for depression, antihistamines, some blood pressure-lowering drugs, antipsychotics, hormonal agents, and muscle relaxants. A third possible cause is nerve damage from stroke, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, trauma to the spine or pelvis, or pressure on the spinal cord.
Frozen shoulder occurs too much scar tissue or adhesions in the shoulder cause the shoulder to get stuck. Because the adhesions or scar tissue limit the motion of the shoulder neither the patient nor the doctor can move the shoulder in its normal range of motion. Frozen shoulder often occurs from prolonged immobilization following surgery or from a fracture of the arm. Joints in the body can "freeze up" if not used regularly. A full recovery can take months to years and involves physical therapy and occasionally surgery. If you have pain when you try to raise the arm over your head or reach behind to your back, and you have not just recently fallen on the arm, then you may have Adhesive Capsulitis.
