health and living

What is an ankle dislocation? Reduction of ankle dislocation is surgery to re-set the ankle joint to heal properly. Sometimes a doctor can reposition the joint adequately without surgery, which is called a closed reduction. An abnormal separation between the bones of a joint is called a dislocation. When this happens to the ankle joint, …

What does a lower-extremity amputation mean? Lower-extremity amputation involves removing a part or parts of the lower limb. Lower-extremity amputation is the removal of a part/s of the lower limb. It is one of the oldest known surgeries.  Humans in the stone age have been known to survive amputations arising out of injuries, rituals, and punishments. Cave-wall hand imprints showing …

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. …

What is massage, traction and manipulation? Massage, traction, and manipulation treatments are beneficial in a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Various forms of massage, traction, and manipulation have been used as a part of medical practice.  Although there is no knowledge of the complete physiology of massage, traction or manipulation, it is generally accepted that these treatment approaches are beneficial in …

What is the Magnuson-Stack procedure? Magnuson-Stack procedure is a surgical procedures that corrects shoulder instability. Magnuson-Stack procedure is one of the surgical procedures performed to correct shoulder instability. It is named after the two surgeons who first performed the technique, Paul B. Magnuson and James K. Stack, in 1943.  This surgery involves tightening of the ligament and capsule of the …

What is a flexor tendon? A flexor tendon laceration is a deep cut on inside of the fingers, hand, wrist, or forearm. A tendon is a tissue that connects the muscles to bone. Flexor tendons on the palm side of the fingers help in bending the fingers. Tendons and muscles of the forearm, wrist, and hand control the movement in …

What is a splint? A splint is a rigid device used to stabilize broken bones or dislocated joints. Often, a splint is temporarily applied in an emergency as a stopgap measure until a doctor can set the bone properly. A splint is a type of a medical tool made of wood or rigid material. It is used to immobilize a …

What are lighted stylet-assisted tracheal intubation devices? An intubation or endotracheal intubation tube is placed into the windpipe (trachea), or mouth or nose in emergencies. Intubation or endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure in which a tube (endotracheal tube) is placed into the windpipe (trachea) through the mouth or nose. In most emergencies, endotracheal intubation is performed through the mouth.  …

What is a laser diskectomy? A laser diskectomy surgically removes the bulged out part of an intervertebral disk. A laser diskectomy (diskectomy or percutaneous laser diskectomy) is a surgical procedure in which the bulged out part of an intervertebral disk (herniated disk) in your spine is removed by evaporating it by using laser energy delivered through a small incision (minimally …

What is lateral epicondylitis? A lateral epicondyle injection injects corticosteroid medication to reduce pain and inflammation in lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a painful condition of the elbow due to its overuse or strenuous activity that causes pain in the elbow and arm.  As the name suggests, tennis elbow may be caused by playing racquet sports, such …