Overview The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. Each kidney is about the size of a fist. The kidneys’ function is to filter the blood by removing waste products, and control the fluid balance in the body whilst regulating the balance of electrolytes. The kidneys are also involved […]
This week we are taking a look at some ailments that can directly or indirectly affect heart function. There are many extremely common conditions, which, depending on severity, can range from insignificant to potentially fatal disorders. Patient history is just as important as objective testing when it comes to cardiac patients. This is because many […]
A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury that can result from a jolt, blow or bump to the head. The sudden movement causes the brain to bounce around or twist inside the skull which results in a disturbance of brain function. After suffering a concussion, most patients will begin to get better […]
The word fracture means break, but the term ‘broken bone’ is a colloquialism, as break is not a formal orthopaedic term. A bone may be completely fractured or partially fractured. A bone fracture (sometimes abbreviated #) is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone. A bone fracture […]
There are many different spinal conditions. Spondylosis is a common degenerative condition of the spine that is caused by age related changes in the intervertebral disks. It can cause pressure on the nerve roots with subsequent sensory and, or motor disturbances, causing pain and numbness. Condition Description Annular Tear An annular tear describes a hole or rip in the […]
Cerebral Palsy Cerebral refers to the cerebrum, the largest portion of the brain. The cerebrum controls and integrates motor, sensory and higher cognitive functions, such as thought, reason, emotion and memory. Palsy refers to a disorder of movement. Causes Every fifteen hours, an Australian child is born with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is caused by […]
The Sciatic Nerve The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the human body. Just like the spinal cord, it is approximately the width of a human finger. The sciatic nerve is made up of a combination of spinal nerves, namely L4, L5, S1, S2 and S3, and forms on the right and […]
Interesting facts Orthopaedic is a word derived from the Greek “Ortho” and “Pais” or “straight child”. This is because it was originally used as a word to describe children with spine and limb deformities. Nowadays, Orthopaedics is more commonly used to describe the study and medical treatment of the musculoskeletal system, namely the bones and […]
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is an uncommon chronic pain condition that can affect the arms, legs, hands or feet of a patient, following an injury. Rarely, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome affects other parts of the body. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome accounts for approximately 2% to 5% of adult pain clinic patients and up to […]
Did you know the average person walks 177,000 kilometres in their lifetime? That is the equivalent to walking around the world four times. When walking normally, the ankle joint bears a force of approximately five times our body weight, and up to thirteen times our body weight during activities such as running. Therefore, the ankle […]
