Quiz Page December 2009: Polyuria, Proximal Muscle Weakness, Bone Pain, and Photophobia in an Adult

Quiz Page December 2009: Polyuria, Proximal Muscle Weakness, Bone Pain, and Photophobia in an Adult
A 33-year-old school teacher with no significant medical history or medication use presented with 3 months of lower back pain, proximal muscle weakness that limited his ability to stand, urinary frequency, and nocturia. Although denying dry mouth, dry eyes, or polydipsia, he describes frequent photophobia during this period. There was no blepharospasm, tearing, or decreased vision. On physical examination, blood pressure was 110/70 mm Hg and pulse rate was 72 beats/min. He had tenderness over his ribs bilaterally and painful restriction to flexion and extension of the ankle and knee joints. Proximal muscle strength in the upper and lower limbs was 4/5, deep tendon reflexes were present as a normal ankle jerk, superficial reflexes were normal, and there was no sensory deficit. Laboratory st…

Chlamydia May Play Role In A Type Of Arthritis

Chlamydia May Play Role In A Type Of Arthritis
Spondylarthritis (SpA) represents a group of arthritidies that share clinical features such as inflammatory back pain and inflammation at sites where tendons attach to bone. It includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel-disease-related arthritis, reactive arthritis (ReA) and undifferentiated spondylarthritides (uSpA). (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Cauda Equina Syndrome and Decreasing Opioid Requirements

Cauda Equina Syndrome and Decreasing Opioid Requirements
In response to the letter by Ostgathe and coworkers, I would like to comment on the decreased opioid requirements observed in this patient who had cauda equina syndrome. The term cauda equina syndrome refers to a constellation of symptoms owing to damage of the cauda equina, the portion of the nervous system below the conus medullaris and consisting of peripheral nerves, both motor and sensory, within the spinal canal and thecal sac. Damage in this region causes various symptoms, including sciatica, low back pain, saddle and perianal hypoesthesia or analgesia, decreased rectal tone, absent patellar and Achilles tendon reflexes, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and lower-extremity weakness. Cauda equina syndrome may be due to primary spinal tumors or metastatic tumors. (Source: Journal of Pai…

Nurses and Back Pain Part 2

Nurses and Back Pain Part 2
While some people with this condition are unlucky enough to develop debilitating back pain, for most of us the back pain from degenerative disc disease is just a signal that we need to adopt a healthier lifestyle to keep the symptoms in check. Good overall health — and the health of the muscles, ligaments and tendons that support your spine — will go a long way to minimizing painful flare-ups. And by all means don’t forget to take good care of your emotional, spiritual and psychological health too by finding a good support group.

Healing Whiplash Through Chiropractic Methods

Healing Whiplash Through Chiropractic Methods
The term whiplash refers to pain felt in the neck area after the soft tissue of the neck, namely the ligaments, tendons and muscles, has been injured during vehicle accidents, sporting activities, accidental falls and even an assault. Whenever force is applied to the neck, causing it to move beyond its normal range, it could lead to whiplash.

Back Pain and Tendonitis Part 1

Back Pain and Tendonitis Part 1
Tendonitis is most commonly caused by overuse or an injury to a particular tendon, such as a sports injury or repetitive strain injury (RSI). Tendonitis usually occurs at the thumb, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, heal and wrist, but can occur anywhere there is a tendon. Tendonitis is difficult to diagnose as it shares many symptoms with Bursitis and Arthritis and other more localized conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at the wrist.