We have the largest online repository of condition specific knowledge on disability.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a disorder characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons, a particular kind of nerve cells. These cells live in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system or CNS). They are responsible for the control of muscles that are under conscious control (voluntary or skeletal muscle). Learn about the diagnosis, treatment, and more.
In the amputation section, we discuss above and below the knee amputations and rehabilitation issues encountered, such as: prosthesis, pain, skin management, and more. Upper extremity amputations are described as well as prosthetic choices and exercises that maximize function.
Types and causes of pediatric amputations are explained along with the functional milestones that can be expected with the appropriate prosthesis and therapy. Parent and child psychological and social adjustment is discussed.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease that may strike in the prime of life, often between the ages of 20 and 40. The disease develops as tendons attaching muscles to the spine become inflamed.
One of the most common types of pain is back pain. Medical discussion includes: the natural course, diagnosis, and treatment through therapy and surgical intervention.
Cerebral palsy includes a wide range of physical and/or mental involvement. We discuss everything from spasticity to psychological issues to bracing, as well as associated issues such as scoliosis, hydrocephalus, and aging.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an uncommon condition that usually affects arms or legs. Symptoms include intense localized burning or aching pain, swelling, skin discoloration, and altered temperatures, among others...
While sadness touches all of our lives at different times, depression can have enormous depth and staying power. Being depressed has nothing to do with personal weakness; it’s about neural pathways, chemistry, and more.
Developing in 9%-20% of people with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, enteropathic arthritis is a form of chronic inflammatory arthritis that may affect limb joints and cause ongoing abdominal pain.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic, painful condition primarily producing symptoms in the musculoskeletal system. This condition is characterized by muscle aches and pain, significant fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Medications such as Lyrica and Ultram are listed as well as non-pharmacologic treatment and self-management techniques.
Gout is a painful and potentially debilitating form of arthritis, afflicting such notables as Benjamin Franklin and Henry VIII. It usually affects one joint at a time – often a big toe, knee, ankle, wrist, foot, or finger.
Herniated disks, sometimes called slipped or ruptured disk s, are a frequent cause of back pain. They often cause not only pain, but also numbness or weakness in the back, legs or arms.
Orthopedic surgical treatments of knee and hip arthritis are described in easy-to-read text as well as informative animations. Hip and knee replacement animations help you understand what to expect if considering this surgical procedure.
Infectious arthritis is caused by an infection resulting from bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Spreading to the joints through the bloodstream, infections can cause warmth, pain, swelling, and sometimes fever and chills.
The multiple sclerosis section explains the diagnosis, classification, treatment, and management of related conditions, among other related topics. You can also read the latest developments in multiple sclerosis, written by national expert Dr. Allen Bowling in his column “MS Now!”
Learn about the different types of muscular dystrophies such as Duchenne’s, Becker’s, and Myotonic, from the perspective of treatment, rehabilitation, and related conditions.
Myofascial pain centers around sensitive points in your muscles called trigger points. It has been linked to headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, low back pain, pelvic pain, and arm and leg pain.
Most people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain can be acute, meaning it lasts a few hours to a few weeks, or it can be chronic, lasting several weeks or longer.
There are over 100 different types of arthritis, but all have one thing in common: they all affect joints, and often the areas and structures surrounding those joints. Obtaining the correct diagnosis is particularly important.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects hip joints, leading to pain and limits in normal functioning. Learn about how arthritis is diagnosed, causes of arthritis, and treatment choices including medical management and rehabilitation.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects knee joints, leading to pain and limits in normal functioning. Learn how arthritis is diagnosed, causes, and treatment choices, including medical management and rehabilitation.
Osteoporosis, a condition that thins and weakens bones, affects 10 million Americans. In addition, there are more than 1.5 million fractures in the U.S. alone, with most of these breaks occurring in the hips, spine, and wrist.
Acute and chronic pain falls into many different categories, for example, neuropathic pain. Pain management is another important of pain discussions, including medications, therapy, modalities, behavior approaches, and interventional pain management.
Parkinson’s disease symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis are described. Treatments include medications such as Sinemet, Stalevo, and supplements as well as rehabilitation and surgical intervention. The newest surgical treatment, deep brain stimulation, is also described.
Phantom pain is pain that feels like it's coming from a body part no longer there. Doctors now recognize a physical cause for this pain, and understand that this post-amputation phenomenon originates in the brain.
Pseudogout is a form of arthritis that occurs when a particular type of calcium crystal accumulates in the joints. As these crystals are deposited in the affected joint, these deposits can lead to severe pain and swelling.
Psoriatic arthritis is a complication of psoriasis, a chronic skin disease characterized by bright pink or salmon-colored scales on the knees, elbows, chest, back, or scalp. Around 15% of people with psoriasis will develop arthritis.
Reactive arthritis gets its name from the fact that symptoms are triggered by some type of infection elsewhere in the body, although the arthritis may develop weeks or months after the original infection.
Rheumatoid arthritis describes the definition, associated conditions, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation options. Treatment includes exercise, nutrition, medications, joint injections, and surgery.
The categories of spina bifida are explained with images, including causes, prevention, and diagnosis. Management includes early surgery. More ongoing issues such as bowel and bladder options and long-term medical considerations are discussed.
Spinal cord injury section gives a comprehensive and useful explanation to help maximize your understanding of how the nervous system changes after a spinal cord injury. Animations and images compliment the text.
Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability. Described are the different types of stroke, anatomy, recovery, rehabilitation, and possible complications that may occur and require attention.
Traumatic brain injury is caused when physical trauma damages the brain from mild to severe injury. A comprehensive description covers the diagnosis, recovery and prognosis, treatment options, medical issues, and rehabilitation.
Visual rehabilitation as it applies to individuals with stroke, brain injury, or other neurological conditions that impair sight. Considers diagnosis, treatment, and therapy options.
As an undergraduate in the Biomedical Science Program at Texas A&M University, I suffered a snow-skiing accident which resulted in...
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