What is pharmacologic stress testing? A pharmacological stress test uses drugs to speed up the heart rate to see how well it pumps when it's working hard. This version of the test is for people with conditions that prevent them from exercising. Able-bodied people undergoing this test instead use an exercise machine to stress their …
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What Is the Reduction of a Mandibular Dislocation?
What is a mandibular dislocation? A mandibular dislocation is a medical emergency. Delay in its correction may result in stiffness of the jaw joint due to abnormal joining between tissues of the mandibular bone. A mandibular dislocation occurs when the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is displaced on one side (unilaterally) or both sides (bilaterally) of the face. A mandibular dislocation stretches …
Read More »What Is the Reduction of a Posterior Hip Dislocation? Procedure
What is a posterior hip dislocation? The reduction of dislocation is a procedure to manipulate the bones back to their normal position. If this is performed externally, i.e., without opening the hip, it is known as a closed reduction. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The socket is formed by the acetabulum, which is part of the large pelvis bone. …
Read More »What Does a Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Measure?
What is the peak expiratory flow rate measurement test? Peak expiratory flow rate measures lung strength using a handheld device, usually to diagnose or monitor asthma. A peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is also called peak expiratory flow. It is a simple test that measures a person’s maximum speed of expiration/exhalation. It helps assess the status of the airways and …
Read More »What Is a Plication of the Diaphragm Procedure?
What is the diaphragm muscle? Plication of the diaphragm muscle sutures the organ tightly in position inside the rib cage to treat breathing difficulties. Diaphram malfunction or deformity may result from congenital problems or a malfunctioning phrenic nerve. A diaphragm is a primary muscle that helps in respiration (breathing process). This dome-shaped muscle is located just below the lungs and …
Read More »What Are the Different Procedures That Constitute a Whipple Procedure?
What is a pancreas? The Whipple procedure, or pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a procedure to remove part of the pancreas as a treatment for pancreatic cancer. The pancreas is a gland situated in the abdomen (behind the stomach). The head of the pancreas is on the right side of the abdomen and is connected to the duodenum (the first section of the …
Read More »When Are Elbow and Above-Elbow Amputations Performed?
What is an amputation? Elbow and above-elbow amputations aim to preserve as much of the function of the elbow as possible. Amputation is the removal of a body part due to a pathological condition. This may include a limb or extremity such as an arm, leg, foot, hand, toe, or finger. It is usually due to an injury, disease, or …
Read More »What Is a Pelvic Osteotomy for an Acetabular Dysplasia?
A pelvic osteotomy for acetabular dysplasia is a surgical procedure to alter the shape and depth of the bony cup that houses the femoral joint. This aims to improve function and reduce hip inflammation and pain. An osteotomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting and reshaping of a bone. A pelvic osteotomy is a means by which the hip …
Read More »What Is a Radial Gutter Splint Used For?
What is a radial gutter splint? A radial gutter splint immobilizes the index and middle fingers after a fracture. It's called "radial gutter" because it wraps around the side of the forearm formed by the radius bone. A splint is a medical device made of wood or other rigid material. It is used to immobilize a fractured or dislocated bone. …
Read More »What Is a Medial Epicondyle Injection For?
What is a medial epicondyle injection for? In a medial epicondyle injection, medications are injected into the elbow joint to treat diseases, such as arthritis. A medial epicondyle injection is a procedure in which medications are injected into the elbow joint to treat diseases of the joint. There are different types of medial epicondyle injections. The most common type of …
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