health and living

What Is a Bristow Procedure?

What is a Bristow procedure? The Bristow procedure fixes shoulder instability due to shoulder blade (scapula) deformity. Bristow procedure and its variants are performed to treat shoulder instability caused by shoulder blade problems (glenoid defects).  The outer end on the scapula (shoulder blade) is called the glenoid. It meets the head of the humerus (the bone …

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When Are Digital Amputations Performed?

What is a digital amputation? A digital amputation is the surgical removal of a portion of a finger, which can include the tip, end, or joint due to severe injury or elective surgery for a condition that has affected the finger. A digital amputation involves surgical removal of a part of a finger. When are digital amputations performed? Digital amputations …

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What Can a Liver Biopsy Diagnose? Liver enzymes, Enlargement, Jaundice

What are the important functions of the liver? A liver biopsy is a procedure that involves inserting a small needle into the liver to collect a tissue sample. The liver is the body’s largest internal organ that performs multiple body functions. The liver synthesizes the body's proteins, blood clotting factors, components of lipid (cholesterol), glycogen, and bile. It also helps …

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When Are Ankle Splints Used For? Benefits

What are ankle splints? Ankle splints are applied to minimize movement and provide support and comfort by stabilizing an injury at the ankle joint. Splints are primarily used to stabilize injuries to bones until the patient can be evaluated by a consultant, such as an orthopedic surgeon. These are also used to achieve immobilization for primary healing or in the …

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How Long Does an Open Inguinal Hernia Repair Take?

What does an inguinal hernia mean? Open inguinal surgery is generally performed by a general surgeon. The surgery may be done under regional or general anesthesia. An inguinal hernia is the bulging fatty tissue or a part of the bowel (such as the intestine) that pushes through a weakened area or defect in the abdomen near the groin. The hernia …

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How Long Does It Take to Recover From Incisional Hernia Surgery?

What is an incisional hernia? An incisional hernia is a type of hernia caused by an incompletely healed surgical wound.  A hernia is a bulge or protrusion of body tissue or an organ through the structure that normally contains it. A hernia usually occurs when an organ or fatty tissue pushes itself through a weak spot in a surrounding area.  In an incisional hernia, the intestine pushes …

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How Long Does It Take to Recover From Lap Band Surgery?

What is laparoscopic gastric banding? Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery is done under general anesthesia. This procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Laparoscopic gastric banding is a weight loss surgery in which the surgeon places a band around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a small pouch to hold food, limiting the amount an individual can …

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What Are the Five Classic Signs of Inflammation?

What are the five classic signs of inflammation? Five classic signs that include redness heat, swelling pain, and loss of function. Inflammation is the body’s response to any harmful stimulus. The stimulus may be an injury, infection, or irritation. The stimulus may be internal or external. Inflammation usually exhibits five classic signs that include: Redness Heat Swelling Pain Loss of …

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What Does a Blood Clot Feel Like?

What is a blood clot? A blood clot itself may not be something that you directly feel. However, the signs and symptoms of blood clots vary depending on their location. Normally, blood clotting is a natural mechanism of the body that prevents excessive blood loss when a blood vessel is injured. Platelets, proteins, and blood cells in the blood aggregate …

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What Is the Most Common Liposuction Technique? Complications

What does liposuction mean? The technique that is best suited for a person depends on many factors, such as the size of the area being treated, the presence of other health conditions, etc. Liposuction is the process of suctioning or vacuuming out fat from different parts of the body, such as the abdomen, face, hips, thighs, chest, back, calves, ankles, …

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