A contracture is a condition of shortening and hardening muscles, tendons or other connective tissue, which often leads to deformity, rigid joints and sometimes pain or stiffness. (1) In the case of Dupuytren's contracture (pronounced du-pwe-TRANZ), deformity affects the tissue (fascia) in the hands, leading to symptoms such as permanently bent fingers and thickening of the…
Ganglion cysts are quite a common issue amongst many people, and sometimes they don't even realize there's help out there for them. What is a ganglion cyst? What are ganglion cyst symptoms? Is ganglion cyst removal possible? This guide has everything you need to know, from diagnosis all the way through to treatment. Read on…
Temporal arteritis causes pain and swelling in the arteries of the head and neck. There is no clear cause and no true cure, but fast medical treatment can help prevent serious complications. This disease is a type of vasculitis, causing inflamed blood vessels that may make it hard for enough blood to get through. It…
Do you currently have a lump on your body that feels doughy and moves easily when you touch it? If your answer is "yes," then you may already be familiar with lipomas. They are actually pretty common with approximately 1 in 100 people experiencing a lipoma at some point in their lives. Most of the…
Kyphosis, sometimes called a hunchback or dowager’s hump, is a curve in the back that is more extreme than normal. Although it mostly affects older women, it can happen to people of any age. In its mild stage, it causes few problems. Left untreated, however, it can cause serious complications. Read on to learn about…
Grinding, creaking, grating, popping or crunching noises that emanate from your joints is called crepitus, or crepitation. Crepitus can also refer to the cracking sounds from the lungs that occurs during a respiratory illness, and it can also refer to the sounds bones make after a fracture. (1) When the sounds occur in joints, pain may…
Gingivitis is the most common type of gum disease. It is rare in children but often starts during puberty or early adulthood, and can come and go throughout life. (1) As many as 70 percent to 90 percent of adults in the U.S. have gingivitis. In most people, it is caused by a buildup of plaque…
Optic neuritis is a condition of the eyes that can affect both adults and children — especially anyone who has an autoimmune disease or history of a viral infection that causes their immune system to attack the nerves in their eyes. If eye conditions like optic neuritis are not treated, they can become serious and…
Myositis is a general name for a group of conditions that cause muscle inflammation. The diseases are also known as inflammatory myopathies and can cause muscle weakness, pain and damage. In most cases, the disease responds to medical treatment. Myositis is rare, and most people with this type of muscle inflammation require medical care. However,…
Periodontitis is an infection or inflammation (swelling) of the bones and ligaments that support your teeth. It happens with gum swelling or infection, also known as gingivitis, goes untreated. The problem spreads from the gums into the support structures of your teeth. It can cause your teeth to loosen and even fall out. The condition…
