In this section I want to talk about Knee Fracture (Patella Fracture). Where were you on the evening of June 4, 2015? I was watching Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Golden State Warriors versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was an exciting and intense game that went into overtime. With two minutes remaining in overtime,…

In this section I want to talk about knee sprains. As a pain management practitioner, I often treat patients for knee sprains caused by a motor vehicle accident (MVA), sports injury, or a slip and fall. My patients, who injured their knee(s) during a motor vehicle accident, often have the same story. Baring down on…

In this article I want to talk about Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendonitis): Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Are you a basketball player? Volleyball player? Runner? Do you or have you ever had pain and swelling around your kneecap tendon? If you answered yes, then you may have Jumper’s Knee or Patellar Tendonitis. Read…

In this section I want to briefly talk about Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD): Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Were you an athletic child? Do you have or know of an athletic child? Did you or the child have pain in the bottom front portion of your/their knee? Was the pain in both knees? Did the…

Do you remember watching Lethal Weapon back in the late 1980’s? Do you remember the scene when Mel Gibson dislocated his shoulder and then reset his injury by pounding his shoulder into the office filing cabinet? After becoming a nurse practitioner, I learned why resetting a dislocated shoulder without medical attention is not a great…

When you look in the mirror, is one of your shoulders positioned higher than the other? Is one of your pants legs longer than the other? If you’re wearing a skirt, is one side higher than the other? Do you lean to the right or to the left? If you answered yes to these questions,…

Have you ever wondered what type of injuries can occur from falling off a horse? A scapular, clavicle, and humerus fractures are all examples. Read below for information about these types of injury. Causes ● Fractures can occur by falling directly onto the shoulder with the arm either tucked or restrained to the body.● This…

Our daily lives are full of repetitive motions such as painting, lifting various objects, and sleeping on our sides. Certain sports also involve repetitive motions, especially sports that involve throwing like softball, baseball, and football. As a result of these kinds of activities, we may have trouble elevating our arms above our heads. The cause…

Shoulder bursitis – Do you work in construction? Do you lift heavy objects over your head? Do you have shoulder pain? If you said yes to these questions, read the details below to learn about your shoulder pain. What is bursitis in the shoulder? ● Shoulder bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa.● It is…

What is RA? ● Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that develops when the immune system attacks the body. RA affects the joints, skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, and salivary glands.● The attack on the joints affects the synovium that lines and lubricates the joints.● The cartilage and bones are…

Can you recognize the signs of shaken baby syndrome? During the COVID19 pandemic in 2020, the rate of child abuse increased significantly in the state of Texas. According to the Communities Foundation of Texas, Texas had 251 confirmed child abuse and neglect-related fatalities, an increase of 6% compared to 235 child abuse and neglect related…

Have you ever had tenderness in your buttocks from sitting for a lengthy period of time on a firm surface or possibly on your wallet? Have you ever had lower back pain that radiates into your glute and continues down the back of your leg? Did the pain feel dull, achy, or electrifying? Did you…

A pneumothorax is a collapsed lung caused by air between the lung (pleural space) and the chest wall. The air pushes onto the outside portion of the lung, forcing it to collapse. Important: Just like a hemothorax, this too is a medical emergency. People who have had a pneumothorax in the past may have another…

In the fall of 1993, my uncle Blue was in a serious motorcycle accident. He had been working on his motorcycle early one afternoon. When he decided to go for a test drive, his back tire came undone from his motorcycle as he was rounding a curve. He immediately lost control of his bike and…

Have you ever played a sport and fractured your ribs? Have you ever slipped and fell in the bathtub? Have you discussed rib fractures with your doctor? Causes ● Rib fractures tend to occur from traumatic falls.● Contact sports (football, hockey, baseball, etc.) create situations where blunt force causes fractures. Symptoms ● Intense severe pain●…

Have you ever thrown a ball as hard as you possibly could and heard a crunchy or popping sound in your shoulder? Did your shoulder hurt immediately afterwards? Did the pain travel down into your elbow? During my sophomore college softball season at the University of Tennessee, I lost my throwing ability. What used to…

Have you ever sneezed so hard that you fractured a vertebra? Have you ever sat down hard onto a chair or fallen, and instantly had lower back pain after standing? Have you heard about Osteoporotic Compression Fractures? What are Osteoporotic Compression Fractures? ● Osteoporotic compression fractures are a major cause of mid-thoracic and upper lower…

What are pelvic fractures? ● Pelvic fractures are breaks in the pelvis. Causes High impact trauma from any of the following can cause this injury: ● Motor vehicle accident● Fall● Pedestrian accident● Motorcycle crash The forceful impact from a severe accident can result in serious injuries to organs contained within the bony pelvis. o Severe…