DEGENERATIVE CERVICAL SPINE

DEGENERATIVE CERVICAL SPINE - Degenerative cervical spine conditions are age-related issues affecting the neck and upper back. This area is vulnerable to damage because your cervical (upper) spine not only supports your head, but it also facilitates movement between your neck and head. The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae, labeled C1 – C7. These vertebrae are linked by facet joints and cushioned by round discs made of cartilage. As we age, the joints and discs in the spine can dry out and lose their ability to withstand everyday activity, leading to conditions like arthritis and degenerative disc disease. Symptoms will usually be experienced in relation to nerve compression caused by displaced anatomy like herniated disc material or an arthritic bone spur.

• Pain — A compressed nerve in the cervical spine can cause pain that begins in the neck or upper back and then feels as if it is radiating or shooting down through your shoulders, arms and hands.

• Numbness — Since spinal nerves in the cervical spine control sensation in the upper neck, back, shoulders, arms and hands, numbness in the upper body could be a sign of a degenerative spine disease in the cervical region.

• Tingling — You may get a pins-and-needles feeling due to certain spinal nerves being partially restricted.

GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME

GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME - Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms. These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body. In its most severe form Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment. The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown. But it is often preceded by an infectious illness such as a respiratory infection or the stomach flu. There's no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness. Most people recover from Guillain-Barre syndrome, though some may experience lingering effects from it, such as weakness, numbness or fatigue.

Guillain-Barre syndrome often begins with tingling and weakness starting in your feet and legs and spreading to your upper body and arms. In about half of people with the disorder, symptoms begin in the arms or face. As Guillain-Barre syndrome progresses, muscle weakness can evolve into paralysis.

Signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome may include:

• Prickling, pins and needles sensations in your fingers, toes, ankles or wrists

• Weakness in your legs that spreads to your upper body

• Unsteady walking or inability to walk or climb stairs

• Difficulty with eye or facial movements, including speaking, chewing or swallowing

• Severe pain that may feel achy or cramplike and may be worse at night

• Difficulty with bladder control or bowel function

• Rapid heart rate

• Low or high blood pressure

• Difficulty breathing

DYSPLASIA (DISLOCATION) OF THE HIP

DYSPLASIA (DISLOCATION) OF THE HIP - The hip is a "ball-and-socket" joint. In a normal hip, the ball at the upper end of the thighbone (femur) fits firmly into the socket, which is part of the large pelvis bone. In babies and children with developmental dysplasia (dislocation) of the hip (DDH), the hip joint has not formed normally. The ball is loose in the socket and may be easy to dislocate. Although DDH is most often present at birth, it may also develop during a child's first year of life. Recent research shows that babies whose legs are swaddled tightly with the hips and knees straight are at a notably higher risk for developing DDH after birth. As swaddling becomes increasingly popular, it is important for parents to learn how to swaddle their infants safely, and to understand that when done improperly, swaddling may lead to problems like DDH.

Symptoms

Some babies born with a dislocated hip will show no outward signs.

• Legs of different lengths
• Uneven skin folds on the thigh
• Less mobility or flexibility on one side
• Limping, toe walking, or a waddling gait

REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY

REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY - A repetitive strain injury (RSI), sometimes referred to as repetitive stress injury, is a gradual buildup of damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves from repetitive motions. RSIs are common and may be caused by many different types of activities. Symptoms may begin gradually and then become constant and more intense. Even with initial treatment, symptoms may limit your ability to perform your usual activities.

Symptoms include:

- pain, ranging from mild to severe

- tenderness

- swelling

- stiffness

- tingling or numbness

- throbbing

- weakness

- sensitivity to cold or heat