Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

to confirm stress fractures and some spiral frac- tures. Treatment Options and Outlook Treatment immobilizes the bone ends. The ...

forms of protein (nucleic acids) called purines. Purines occur naturally in the body as well as in meats consumed in the diet (e ...

H hernia A separation or tear in the fibers of a MUSCLEthat allows the underlying tissue or struc- ture to bulge through. Hernia ...

general. Variables that influence the surgeon’s decision about the type of operation include the location and size of the hernia ...

limited activity for two to three days to allow the inflammation to subside MUSCLE RELAXANT MEDICATIONSto relieve MUSCLE SPASM ...

I–J infectious arthritis INFLAMMATIONof a JOINTthat results from INFECTION. The infectious agent (PATHOGEN) may be BACTERIAor my ...

spinal anesthesia with sedation for comfort. A joint replacement operation takes about two hours, during which the surgeon makes ...

K knee injuries Sprains, strains, CARTILAGE tears, and fractures involving the structures of the knee. The knee is a hinge JOINT ...

knee injuries 331 COMMON KNEE INJURIES Injury Common Causes Key Symptoms anterior cruciate LIGAMENT(ACL) sudden twisting of the ...

DRUGS(NSAIDS) relieve inflammation and pain for both traumatic and overuse injuries. Gentle stretching and exercise such as walk ...

L laminectomy A surgical OPERATIONto remove a segment of vertebra (BONEof the spine) to relieve pressure against the SPINAL CORD ...

See also ADENOMA; BREAST CANCER; COLORECTAL CANCER; SURGERY BENEFIT AND RISK ASSESSMENT. lordosis An abnormally exaggerated inwa ...

M–N Marfan syndrome A genetic disorder arising from mutations in the fbn1GENEthat affect the structure of connective tissues thr ...

(occurs without apparent family history of the condition), there are no measures of prevention. See also GENETIC DISORDERS. meni ...

For further discussion of muscle within the context of the structures and functions of the musculoskeletal system, please see th ...

kinase. Other gene mutations may also contribute. Though progression is usually slow, myotonic mus- cular dystrophy affects othe ...

cate muscle destruction. Each type of muscular dystrophy has fairly characteristic patterns of symptoms. Muscle biopsy shows dam ...

numerous forms of myopathy, many of which are congenital (present at birth) or genetic (the result of inherited GENEmutations). ...

O occupational therapy A therapeutic approach to teach people the skills they need for living as inde- pendently as possible wit ...

is permanent. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in the United States. Symptoms and Diagnostic Path Many people who ...