Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that can cause the fusion of spinal vertebrae, which decreases spine flexibility and causes a hunched-forward posture. Ankylosing spondylitis is more common in men than in women, and symptoms typically begin during early adulthood.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs diagonally across the middle of the knee, stabilizing knee rotation and preventing the tibia from sliding in front of the femur. Athletes who play soccer, football, or basketball are at high risk of spraining or tearing their anterior cruciate ligament.
Aphasia is a neurological condition that causes a disturbance in the comprehension and expression of language—often as a result of brain damage from stroke, cancer, epilepsy, or Alzheimer’s disease. Patients with acute aphasia are often able to recover most language skills with the help of a speech-language pathologist.
There are more than 100 different types of long-lasting or recurring joint inflammation known as arthritis. The most common symptoms—pain and stiffness—are usually associated with osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis). Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that normally covers the ends of bones wears away.
Some common causes of backaches include poor posture, car accidents, muscle strains, and sports- or work-related injuries. Backaches can occur in the middle, upper, or low back and can vary in intensity from a dull ache to a sharp pain.
Some nervous system conditions can slow or disrupt the feedback from the proprioceptors in the muscles—which tell us where are bodies are located in space—to the brain, causing balance and coordination issues. Balance and proprioception issues also can be caused by poor nutrition.
When the extensor tendon is damaged the finger can no longer straighten. This is often caused by a ball hitting the tip of the finger or thumb, which is why it is known as baseball finger. Baseball fingers are painful, swollen, and bruised.
The most common form of facial paralysis, Bell’s palsy is temporary and occurs as a result of damage or trauma to a facial nerve. In most bell’s palsy cases, only one side of the face is impacted. However, in severe cases, both sides of the face may become paralyzed.
Biceps tendonitis is when the tendon that sits around the long head of the bicep muscle becomes inflamed as a result of tendon degeneration from athletic overuse or aging. Biceps tendonitis usually presents as deep, throbbing pain in the front of the shoulder.
Inflammation of the biceps tendon and sheath lining of the biceps muscle is known as bicipital tenosynovitis. Bicipital tenosynovitis typically occurs as a result of many years’ worth of small tears accumulating or other degeneration that manifests during middle age.