Esophageal tears are caused by damage to the esophageal wall resulting from a mucosal tear, perforation, or rupture.
Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) and Cauda Medulla Syndrome (CMS)
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) and Cauda medulla syndrome (CMS) are neuromuscular andurogenital conditions caused by the pressing of lumbosacral nerve roots.
Flail Chest: Treatment, Symptoms, and Recovery
A flail chest results from severe blunt trauma to the ribs and chest in multiple areas and can be caused by a MVA in healthier patients.
Cardiac (Pericardial) Tamponade
Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency that occurs when blood or a bodily fluid fills thesbpace between the heart and the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart).
Aortic Dissection
The aorta is a major cane-shaped artery that branches off the left lower chamber of the heart and is a is a major medical emergency.
SLAP Tear (Superior Labrum Anterior Posterior Tear)
Shoulder pain can present itself in many ways. You can experience numbness, along with dull, achy, tingling, electrifying sensations.
Shoulder Sprain (Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Separation) and Shoulder Strain
More about Shoulder Anatomy; Shoulder Sprain and Shoulder Strain. Shoulder separation occurs after falling directly onto the shoulder with the arm.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Learn more about Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis). Frozen shoulder pain and stiffness can progressively gets worse over time.
Shoulder Impingement
If you’re having difficulty elevating your arms above your head, then you may have a shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tendinitis, or a torn rotator cuff.
Cerebral (Brain) Contusions
Cerebral contusions are a form of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These contusions are bruising of the brain tissue caused by multiple microhemorrhage of the small blood vessels leaking on the brain.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is diffuse tenderness and neuropathic pain throughout the body. It occurs more often in women than men. Fibromyalgia can mimic other rheumatic diseases that cause inflammation in the joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. No one patient presents with the same symptoms. Patients may experience generalized chronic pain, fatigue, insomnia, mood swings, confusion, stiffness,…
Gout
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops when uric acid is formed as the body breaks down purines found in cells and food. The increase in uric acid produces crystals in the joints that lead to more pain. Increased uric acid levels is not the only cause of gout. Genetics, obesity, medications used…
Dupuytren Contractures
Dupuytren contractures is a disease that affects the soft tissue (connective tissue) of the hand. The third (middle finger), fourth (ring finger), and fifth (pinky) digits of the hand are affected. Dupuytren is not very common. It can occur at any age and is typically seen in patients of Nordic descent. This condition may first…
Thoracic Pain
The thoracic is located between the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back). It consists of twelve vertebrae that attach to the rib cage and twenty-four discs that are inserted between the vertebrae to prevent them from rubbing together. More pain occurs in the cervical and lumbar than the thoracic because the thoracic spine is not…
The Opioid Epidemic
I’m a Nurse Practitioner working in the belly of America’s nightmare: The Opioid Epidemic In March 2017, I thought that I had finally landed the perfect career as a pain management nurse practitioner. In my mind, this was the perfect specialty because growing up and throughout college I had endured sports injuries; luckily, I never…
Chronic Cervical (Neck) Stiffness
Chronic cervical (neck) stiffness may be caused by cervical lordosis (straightening of the cervical spine), scoliosis (the curving of the spine), and cervical spondylosis (neck arthritis). All of which can lead to muscle tightness, muscle spasms, and occasional headaches. The best treatment plan includes neck stretching exercises and the use of moist heating pads for…
I was in a car accident. Why do I feel funny? Why does my neck still hurt? Concussions and Whiplash
Concussions and Whiplash – Have you ever been in a car accident, collided with another person while playing a contact sport, or fallen from a high elevation? If you have, then you’ve probably had a concussion, whiplash, or both! A concussion is a mild to severe traumatic brain injury that occurs after a sudden, forceful…
Are you experiencing neck pain?
Experiencing neck pain? Cervical (neck) pain has many causes. Whiplash related to a motor vehicle accident, pulling on your neck while doing sit-ups, using the arm of your couch as a pillow while lying down, habitual neck popping, wrestling, playing football or soccer, and jamming your neck into a pillow while sleeping are just a…