Sarcopenic obesity

Sarcopenic obesity is a medical condition which is defined as the presence of both sarcopenia (loss of muscle) and obesity.

Sarcopenia refers to the presence of low muscle mass and either low muscular strength or low physical performance.

When this is accompanied by a high fat mass the condition is known as sarcopenic obesity.[1]

Spondylitis

An inflammation of a vertebro-spinal joint.

Etiology:

1. infection
2. arthritis
3. trauma to the joint

Manifestations:

characterized by pain and stiffness in the spinal column.

Contractures

A muscle contracture is a shortening of a muscle in the human body in response to continued hypertonic stress exerted on that muscle or tendon, such as constant spasticity or fibrosis.

Tightening of the muscles or tissues resulting in restricted range of motion.

Bulge Sign

 

 

If a small amount of fluid is suspected in the knee:

Look for Bulge Sign:

1. Milk upwards, the medial aspect of the knee two to three times to displace fluid there.
2. Press or tap the knee just behind the lateral margin of the patella.
3. Watch for a bulge of returning fluid in the hollow medial to the patella.

 

A bulge indicates fluid within the knee joint.

This sign is useful for the detection of very small amounts of fluid, but may be absent when large amounts of fluid are present under pressure.

Bates, Barbara. 1974. A Guide to Physical Examination. J.B. Lippincott Company, Toronto.

Gibbus

The wedging of vertebra in a kyphotic curve of the spine.

Gibbus refers to a sharply angular kyphotic spine.

Stenosing tenosynovitis

Condition of the progressive restriction of the sheath surrounding a tendon, causing inflammation (tenosynovitis).

Implication of tenosynovitis:

Types of Multiple Sclerosis

 

Benign Multiple Sclerosis

Benign MS: This is a sub-group of relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis. It is used to describe the chronic disease state in individuals who have had MS for fifteen years or more but presenting no serious and enduring disability. Benign MS often progresses to Secondary Progressive MS after a number of years.

Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Chronic Progressive MS: Formerly, Primary Progressive and Secondary Progressive used to categorized as Chronic Progressive (CPMS).

Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Primary Progressive MS: characterised by a gradual progression of the disease from its onset with no superimposed relapses and remissions. There may be periods of a leveling off of disease activity. Onset is typically in the late thirties or early forties, men are as likely women to develop it and initial disease activity is often in the spinal cord. Individuals with Primary Progressive are less likely to develop cognitive difficulties.

Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Secondary Progressive MS: characterised by a steady progression of clinical neurological damage with or without superimposed relapses and minor remissions and plateaux. Individuals who develop Secondary progressive MS will have previously experienced a period of Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS).

Malignant Multiple Sclerosis

Malignant MS: (Marburg’s Variant or Acute Multiple Sclerosis).  The disease progresses very rapidly from onset leading to severe disability within a relatively short period of time. This form of MS is extremely rare.

Transitional/Progressive MS: Another form of the disease which is sometimes referred to but not widely used, is Transitional/Progressive (TPMS). This is characterised by a progressive course beginning many years after an isolated bout.

Devic’s Disease: (Neuromyelitis Optica). A related condition of multiple sclerosis characterised by affecting the optic nerve. Optic Neuritis occurs in both eyes followed by severe inflammation of the spinal cord (Transverse Myelopathy).

Balo’s concentric sclerosis: Rare disease that resembles multiple sclerosis. Clinically, difficult to distinguish from MS. MRI scans show the lesions in Balo’s to be concentric rings of intact myelin and demyelinated zones. It is more common in Chinese and Philippino populations.

What is Multiple Sclerosis. 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2010 from http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/whatisms.html

Athetoid cerebral palsy

Etiology:

A type of cerebral palsy caused by damage to the basal ganglia of the brain

Manifestations:

difficulty in controlling movement of the hands, feet, legs, and arms.

often results in involuntarily squirming and twisting motions when the individual is feel emotional distress.

Acquired cerebral palsy

Type of cerebral palsy acquired in the months following birth.

Etiology:

may be the result of a brain infection, anoxic brain injury or head injury.

Erb’s Palsy

 A nerve injury resulting in paralysis of the arm.

Etiology:

injury to the brachial plexus (The brachial plexus is the neural network responsable for conducting signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand).

injury occurs peripartum, as a result of overdistention of the baby’s head during birth.

Prognosis:

The effect is usually transient, but can be permanent.