What Is a Posterior Elbow Splint?

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 …

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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 …

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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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What Is a Guillotine Ankle Amputation?

What is a guillotine ankle amputation? Guillotine ankle amputation surgically cuts all of the tissue from the skin to bone. A guillotine ankle amputation is an open type of amputation that involves surgical cutting of all of the tissue from the skin to bone at the level of the ankle. Because this surgery is performed without closure of skin, it …

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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 …

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What Are the Levels of Lower-Extremity Amputations?

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 …

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What Are the Benefits of Massage, Traction and Manipulation?

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 …

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What Are Flexor Tendon Lacerations?

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 …

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When Is the Ravitch Procedure for Pectus Excavatum Used?

What is pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum? The Ravitch procedure is a surgical correction of the congenital chest deformities called pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum. Pectus excavatum is a condition in which the sternum/breastbone or rib cage has an abnormal shape. This produces a caved-in or sunken appearance of the chest. Pectus carinatum is a genetic disorder of the chest …

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What Are Lung Segmentectomy and Limited Pulmonary Resection?

What are lung segmentectomy and limited pulmonary resection? A lung segmentectomy is the removal of diseased lung, often due to lung cancer. A lung segmentectomy is a procedure to remove the diseased lung without removing excess normal lung. Certain diseases, such as lung cancer, may require removal of the part of the lungs to limit the spread of cancer in …

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