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Archives: Injury Resources

These are the medical resources that help clients learn more about the various injuries that could be sustained in an accident.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Overview The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that collectively holds the “ball” of your upper arm bone in the “socket” of your shoulder joint.  The rotator cuff stabilizes your arm and allows shoulder movement.  Rotator cuff tears are painful injuries resulting from too much physical stress at the shoulder joint.   Causes A rotator cuff tear can happen because of an injury that forces your arm into an unnatural position, such as when falling on outstretched arms or in some...

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Rotator Cuff Repair – Arthroscopic Surgery

Overview Rotator cuff surgery repairs injured tissues in your shoulder joint.  The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that collectively holds the “ball” of your upper arm bone in the “socket” of your shoulder joint.   Preparation In preparation for the surgery, you lie on your back and are anesthetized.  Your surgeon makes a few small hole openings in your skin through which the surgery will take place.  An arthroscopic camera is inserted into one of the openings, and surgical...

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Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – Neurotomy in the Lumbar Spine

Overview Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat from radio waves to treat the nerves in painful facet joints in your lumbar spine (low back).   It is used when physical therapy, medications, or other treatments have not relieved the pain.   Preparation To begin, you lie on your stomach and are given relaxation medicine.  Anesthesia numbs your skin and the tissues in your lower back.  The surgeon guides a tube called a cannula into your spine, using a video x-ray device (fluoroscope) to ensure...

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Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – Neurotomy in the Cervical Spine

Overview Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat from radio waves to treat the nerves in painful facet joints in your cervical spine (neck).   It is used when physical therapy, medications, or other treatments have not relieved the pain.   Preparation To begin, you lie on your stomach and are given relaxation medicine.  Anesthesia numbs your skin and the tissues in your neck.  The surgeon guides a tube called a cannula into your spine, using a video x-ray device (fluoroscope) to ensure correct...

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Percutaneous Disc Nucleoplasty

Overview Percutaneous disc nucleoplasty, often called “perc disc”, is a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure that corrects herniated discs.  A small needle and radiofrequency technology reduces the disc herniation and relieves pain in most patients.   Cannula Inserted After anesthetic is used to numb the area, a thin needle called a cannula is inserted through the tissues of the back and into the herniated disc. The surgeon is guided by video x-ray images to correctly place the cannula.   Disc...

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Post-Concussion Syndrome

Overview Post-concussion syndrome is the name given to the set of symptoms caused when your brain is injured by violently striking the inside of your skull (concussion).  Car crashes, falls, or physical trauma to the head can cause concussions.  You do not have to lose consciousness to have suffered a concussion.   Symptoms The symptoms of post-concussion syndrome include headaches, dizziness, problems with balance, loss of memory, and difficulty with thinking and mental processing.  Concussion...

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Pinched Nerve

Overview Unexplained pain or symptoms may be caused by a pinched nerve.  Spinal nerve roots exit your spinal canal through small openings.  Many other joints have similarly small spaces in which the nerve flows.  If these nerve spaces get narrowed, the structures can compress or pinch the nerve.   Causes Nerves can become pinched in many ways, including poor posture, spinal misalignment, repetitive motion, arthritis, spinal disc herniations, and traumatic injury.   Symptoms Symptoms...

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PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) Injury

Overview Your knee has four strong bands of tissue called ligaments that connect and stabilize the bones that form the joint.  The posterior cruciate ligament, also called the “PCL.”, connects the femur to the tibia.   Stretching or tearing your PCL will cause your knee to be painful and unstable.   Causes Your PCL can be injured during contact sports by a sudden blow to the front of your knee when it is bent.  Your PCL can also be injured in car crashes, falls, or even if you...

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Paraplegia

Overview Paraplegia is lower body paralysis.  You lose feeling and control when nerve signals can’t travel up and down your spinal cord. This paralysis affects your legs, sometimes also affecting your trunk and pelvic organs.   Causes Paraplegia happens when you injure your spinal cord or the nerves at the base of your cord.  Paraplegia is most often caused by traumatic injuries such as car crashes or falls.  Some nerve diseases, cancer, or spinal conditions can also cause paraplegia.   Symptoms While...

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Nerve Conduction Study (NCS and NCV)

Overview A nerve conduction study (NCS), also called a nerve conduction velocity (NCV), is a noninvasive exam that measures how quickly nerves conduct electrical signals through the body. It helps your doctor diagnose  nerve damage and devise an appropriate treatment plan.   Exam You are positioned comfortably and electrodes are placed on your skin at various locations.  Stimulating electrodes send mild electrical currents through the target nerve. Recording electrodes detect the passing...

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