What is a supraclavicular nerve block? A supraclavicular nerve block is a procedure to block the sensation in the arm below the shoulder. A supraclavicular nerve block is a procedure to block the sensation in the arm below the shoulder. An anesthetic injection is administered in the area above the collarbone (clavicle) close to the …
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What is Kevzara (sarilumab) and how is it used? Kevzara is an injectable prescription medicine called an Interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor blocker. Kevzara is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) has been used and did not work well or could not be …
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Rheumatoid arthritis vs. arthritis: What’s the difference? Arthritis is a general term for joint inflammation, and rheumatoid arthritis is a specific autoimmune disorder that starts in the joints. Arthritis is a general term used to describe joint disease. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of arthritis in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing chronic inflammation. Rheumatoid …
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What is tramadol and what is it used for? Tramadol is a synthetic (man-made) pain reliever (analgesic). Researchers and doctors do not know the exact mechanism of action of tramadol, but it is similar to morphine. Like morphine, tramadol binds to receptors in the brain (narcotic or opioid receptors) that are important for transmitting the sensation of pain from throughout …
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What is lumbar lordosis? Is It painful? Share Your Story A symptom of lumbar lordosis is pronounced buttocks. Lumbar lordosis is the inward curve of the lumbar spine in the lower back. A small degree of lordosis (inward curvature) is normal. The spine in the neck also has lordosis (cervical lordosis). Normal lumbar (lower spine) lordosis is not painful but …
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What is osteoarthritis? What is osteoporosis? Share Your Story Picture of a doctor showing an X-ray to a woman. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic joint pain, and affects over 23 million Americans. The definition of osteoarthritis is degeneration of joint cartilage tissue and the underlying bone. The definition of osteoporosis is a medical condition that results in …
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Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) facts* Picture of Knee Joint *Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) facts written by Charles P. Davis, MD, PhD Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a disease where the tissue lining the joints and tendons grow abnormally to produce a noncancerous mass or tumor. There are two types: local (nodular) and diffuse. Local involves one area of the joint …
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What are steroids? Readers Comments 5 Share Your Story A syringe and an assortment of steroid pills; photo by iStock Steroids (short for corticosteroids) are synthetic drugs that closely resemble cortisol, a hormone that your body produces naturally. Steroids work by decreasing inflammation and reducing the activity of the immune system. They are used to treat a variety of inflammatory …
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What is osteoarthritis (OA)? Share Your Story Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both chronic joint disorders that cause joint pain. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disorder featuring degeneration and inflammation of cartilage of one or many joints. What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune joint disorder characterized by inflammation of the tissue (synovium) that …
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Rheumatic fever (acute rheumatic fever or ARF) facts Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease that sometimes occurs after strep throat. Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease that may develop after a strep throat infection, especially in children ages 5-15, although older teens and adults may develop the disease. The revised Jones criteria help physicians make the clinical diagnosis of rheumatic …
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