Comment from: coachNick1, 45-54 Male (Patient)Published: April 21
I am 41 years old. I was pitching a baseball for my men's baseball team. During the sixth inning, I threw a pitch and heard and felt my arm snap. The break was so loud that both teams could hear it from the dugout. As soon as it happened, it took a few seconds to register what had occurred, followed by tremendous pain. I had no control of my arm but could feel both bones rubbing. Initially, upon arriving to the emergency room, I was informed by the emergency room doctor that I would need surgery immediately. However, the emergency room surgeon said my fracture would heal on its own. After being shot up with two shots of morphine, I was sent home. Fortunately, I was able to see my doctor the following day and was in surgery within two hours after seeing him. As he informed me, surgery should have been done the night I went into the emergency room. It's been a month since my surgery and after having four screws placed in my arm, I work fine. However, I still have what is known as radial nerve palsy, but I'm improving every day.
Comment from: mj, 65-74 Female (Patient)Published: August 24
I'm 73 and active, doing martial arts. I tripped and fell hard with my arm at an awkward angle and tried to catch myself. I had a lot of pain and couldn't bend, lift or straighten my left arm. Also, it was painful to try to turn my palm over, and my arm felt stiff. I have a fracture of the radial head, and I hope I haven't done damage to tendons or ligaments. I have my arm in a splint for 13 days and then I'm supposed to start moving it.
Comment from: Clover, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: August 14
I fell on a newly waxed floor and had an open compound fracture of my right Malleolar area. The bones were broken in 8 pieces with two bones protruding from a hole in my ankle. Amazingly, I had no pain. I was taken by ambulance to the closest hospital and underwent emergency surgery. After 8 days, I went to rehab to learn to handle my wheelchair. A week or so later the cast was removed. I had a large necrotic area where the bone had damaged the skin and was told that was normal. 4 days later, this opened, and the joint was severely infected. I was sent to a second ER where the infectious disease doctor admitted me with possible MRSA. After 8 weeks of antibiotics, another surgeon operated and removed the plates and screws. He cultured the metal and found out that I had staph epidermis, which evidently entered the ankle during the first surgery, since it was under the plate. I have sense recovered and am walking more or less alright, though I still have very little feeling in my ankle and foot.
Comment from: cosmosflower, 45-54 FemalePublished: June 09
I was nine years old when I fell of my bike riding in circles around a car tire with a metal pole in the middle filled with concrete. The back of my head hit the concrete and cracked my skull eight inches across the back. I couldn't stand up. My brother was there with me and he helped me to get up, but I had no balance and had to lean on him just to get home. I got home and ran and locked myself in the bathroom putting cold wash clothes on my head. I finally let my Mom in to help. I could talk but I couldn't stand straight. Mom took me to the hospital the next day when that night all I did was throw up. The swelling was bad and I ended up with a blood clot on the top part of my brain. They gave it a day to go away and if it didn't by the next day they would have to do surgery. Well it was gone the next day, thank God. I was bedridden in the hospital for a week with rounds of penicillin. When they finally got me up to walk I was so scared they had to force me to walk. I had a nurse on each side of me to hold me. It took me a few days to get my balance back. I remember I was so mean to those nurses. I guess it was due to the head injury. I had no long term effects from this injury, except I have trouble with left and right directions. I'm lucky to be alive since this injury happened.
Comment from: 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: June 05
I suffered a trimalleolar fracture (ankle) with no dislocation. I broke my fibula, tibia and talus, all were transverse. I had an open reduction internal fixation surgery to place a 4" plate and 8 screws through the tibia and fibula to hold in place. I had a 6" incision on the outside of my ankle with 22 staples and a 3" incision on the inside ankle with 8 staples. My talus was left to heal naturally. I am now 6 weeks post ob and 50-100% weight bearing in a cam walker boot. I spent a month NWB in the boot. Last 6 week post-op x-rays indicated that my tibia and fibula were more than 50% healed, talus showing great callous formation. At 10 weeks post injury I will be placed in a brace and into my running shoe. This was a sports related injury.
Comment from: dove, 35-44 Female (Caregiver)Published: May 20
I was a victim of domestic violence. My arms were held down at my sides while lying in a horizontal position, and my face, my eyes, and my nose were beat with a closed fist. My diagnosis was a closed head injury. I had suffered a nondisplaced nasal bone fracture on both sides. I had a left periorbital contusion. I had bruising around both eyes and still have acute pain under my right eye. I had no health insurance and had no help from the police, even after I went to the hospital for the diagnosis. They never showed up to take a report. I feel like I have more damage. It's hard for me to communicate, read, I can't run or laugh like I used to.
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In the U.S., more than 2,000 people are diagnosed with bone cancer every year. There are many types of bone cancer. The most common forms of bone cancer are osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, fibrosarcoma, and chordoma. Pain is the most common symptom. Treatment usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Foot pain may be caused by injuries (sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures), diseases (diabetes, Hansen disease, and gout), viruses, fungi, and bacteria (plantar warts and athlete's foot), or even ingrown toenails. Pain and tenderness may be accompanied by joint looseness, swelling, weakness, discoloration, and loss of function. Minor foot pain can usually be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation and OTC medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Severe pain should be treated by a medical professional.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a piece of a blood clot from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) breaks off and travels to an artery in the lung where it blocks the artery and damages the lung. The most common symptoms of a pulmonary embolism are shortness of breath, chest pain, and a rapid heart rate.
Elbow pain is most often the result of tendinitis, which can affect the inner or outer elbow. Treatment includes ice, rest, and medication for inflammation. Inflammation, redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, and decreased range of motion are other symptoms associated with elbow pain. Treatment for elbow pain depends upon the nature of the patient's underlying disease or condition.
Ankle pain is commonly due to a sprain or tendinitis. The severity of ankle sprains ranges from mild (which can resolve within 24 hours) to severe (which can require surgical repair). Tendinitis of the ankle can be caused by trauma or inflammation.
A torn meniscus (knee cartilage) may be caused by suddenly stopping, sharply twisting, or deep squatting or kneeling when lifting heavy weight. Symptoms of a meniscal tear include pain with running or walking long distances, popping when climbing stairs, a giving way sensation, locking, or swelling. Treatment depends upon the severity, location, and underlying disease of the knee joint.
Sacroiliac joint (SI) dysfunction is a general term to reflect pain in the SI joints. Causes of SI joint pain include osteoarthritis, abnormal walking pattern, and disorders that can cause SI joint inflammation including gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Treatment includes oral medications, cortisone injections, and surgery.
Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder and is a condition that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. With anorexia, the drive to become thinner is actually secondary to concerns about control and/or fears relating to one's body. There are psychological and behavioral symptoms as well as physical symptoms of anorexia including: depression, social withdrawal, fatigue, food obsession, heart and gastrointestinal complications, kidney function, flaky skin, brittle nails, and tooth loss (this list is not exhaustive).
A hematoma is a collection of blood that is outside a blood vessel. There are different areas where hematomas occur including the inside the skull, scalp, ear, septum, bones, finger and toenails, and intra-abdominal. Treatment for hematomas depend on the type and location of the hematoma.
Chest pain is a common complaint by a patient in the ER. Causes of chest pain include broken or bruised ribs, pleurisy, pneumothorax, shingles, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, angina, heart attack, costochondritis, pericarditis, aorta or aortic dissection, and reflux esophagitis. Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain depends upon the cause and clinical presentation of the patient's chest pain.
Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that develops in plasma cells, the white blood cells that make antibodies. Symptoms include bone pain, weakness, extreme thirst, nausea, frequent urination, and broken bones. Treatment of multiple myeloma depends upon the staging and symptoms of the disease.
Internal bleeding occurs when an artery or vein is damaged and blood to escapes the circulatory system and collects inside the body. Internal bleeding can be caused by a variety of situations such as blunt trauma, deceleration trauma, medications, fractures, and spontaneous bleeding. Treatment of internal bleeding depends on the cause of the bleeding.
Learn about osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, which leads to an increased risk of bone fracture. Unless one experiences a fracture, a person may have osteoporosis for decades without knowing it. Treatment for osteoporosis may involve medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength and bone formation, as well as quitting smoking, regular exercise, cutting back on alcohol intake, and eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich balanced diet.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine. The tendency to develop ankylosing spondylitis is genetically inherited.
A broken toe is one of the most common fractures among individuals. There are many causes of a broken toe, whether it is the big toe, middle toes, or little toe (pinky). Common symptoms of a broken toe include pain, swelling, stiffness, and bruising. A broken toe can be treated with buddy taping the toe. There are instances where a physician should be consulted for a broken toe.
Shin splints result from inflammation from injury to the tendon and adjacent tissues in the front of the outer leg. Shin splints commonly occur in runners or aggressive walkers, causing pain and discomfort. An increase in workout intensity, weak ankles and pronation may be to blame for shin splints. Stretching, strengthening, and icing the affected area are effective treatments for shin splints. Rest and anti-inflammatory medications are also advised.
Pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining around the lungs, is associated with sharp chest pain upon breathing in. Cough, chest tenderness, and shortness of breath are other symptoms associated with pleurisy. Pleurisy pain can be managed with pain medication and by external splinting of the chest wall.
Paget's disease is a chronic bone disorder due to irregular breakdown and formation of bone tissue. Symptoms of Paget's disease include bone pain, headaches and hearing loss, pressure on nerves, increased head size, hip pain, and damage to cartilage of joints.
Coccydynia is an inflammation of the bony area (tailbone or coccyx) located between the buttocks. Coccydynia is associated with pain and tenderness at the tip of the tailbone between the buttocks. Pain is often worsened by sitting. There are many causes of tailbone pain that can mimic coccydynia including: fracture, pilonidal cysts, infection, and sciatica. Treatment methods include medication and rest.
Myofascial pain syndrome is muscle pain in the body's soft tissues due to injury or strain. Symptoms include muscle pain with tender points and fatigue. Treatment usually involves physical therapy, massage therapy, or trigger point injection.
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. Potential causes include injections around the bone, fractures that puncture the skin, recent surgeries, and bacterial infections that travel from other areas of the body, spreading through the blood to the bone. Symptoms include pain, fever, chills, stiffness, and nausea. Treatment involves antibiotics and pain medications. Surgery is sometimes necessary.
A frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is when the shoulder joint experiences a significant loss in its range of motion due to inflammation, scarring, or injury. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory medication, cortisone injections, and physical therapy.
An injury to a ligament is called a sprain, and an injury to muscle or tendon is called a strain. Sprains and strains may be caused by repetitive movements or a single stressful incident. Symptoms include pain and swelling. Though treatment depends upon the extent and location of the injury, rest, ice, compression, and elevation are key elements of treatment.
There are several bones in the foot, and these bones can be broken (fractured) in a variety of ways. Falling from heights, dropping heavy objects on the foot, or stress fractures from running or walking. Treatment of a broken foot depends on what bone in the foot is broken.
Osteopenia is a bone condition characterized by bone loss that is not as severe as in osteoporosis. Bone fracture is the typical symptom of osteopenia, though the condition may be present without symptoms. Treatment involves lifestyle modifications (quitting smoking, not drinking in excess) and ensuring an adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium.
In the United States, head injuries are one of the most common causes of death and disability. Head injuries due to bleeding are generally classified by the location of the blood within the scull, these include: epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, subarachnoid bleed, intracranial bleed, sheer injury, edema, and skull fracture. Some common symptoms of a head injury include: vomiting, bleeding from the ear, speech difficulties, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, and body numbness. Treatment of a head injury depends on the type and severity of the injury.
Hypercalcemia is a condition in which calcium levels in the blood are elevated. Hypercalcemia is associated with other conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, lung cancer, breast cancer, kidney failure, and elevated levels of vitamin D. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, kidney stones, to name a few. Treatment depends on the cause of hypercalcemia.
Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse in which violent shaking of an infant causes the brain to move inside the skull, causing bruising of the brain and tearing of blood vessels. The shaking results in bleeding around the brain, bleeding in the eyes, spinal cord and neck injuries, bruises, and rib fractures. Infants who survive may suffer brain damage and blindness.
Facial nerve disorders affect the muscles of the face. There are many causes of facial nerve disorders including: trauma, nervous system disease, infection, metabolic disorders, tumors, toxins, or Bell's palsy. Symptoms of facial nerve problems include: facial muscle paralysis, weakness, or twitching of the face; dryness of the eye or mouth, or taste alteration.
Pleurisy describes the chest pain syndrome characterized by a sharp
chest
pain that worsens with breathing.
Pleurisy is caused by inflammation of the linings around the lungs
(the pleura), a condition also known as pleuritis. There
are two layers of pleura: one covering the lung (termed the visceral pleura) and
the other covering the inner wall of the chest (the parietal pleura).
These two layers are lubricated by pleural fluid.
Pleurisy is frequently associated with the accumulation
of extra fluid in the space between the two layers of pleura. This fluid is
referred to as a pleural effusion.
The pain fibers of the lung are located in the pleura.
When this tissue becomes inflamed, it results in a sharp pain in the chest that
is worse with breathing. Other symptoms of pleurisy can include
cough, chest tenderness, and
shortness of breath.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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I am 41 years old. I was pitching a baseball for my men's baseball team. During the sixth inning, I threw a pitch and heard and felt my arm snap. The break was so loud that both teams could hear it from the dugout. As soon as it happened, it took a few seconds to register what had occurred, followed by tremendous pain. I had no control of my arm but could feel both bones rubbing. Initially, upon arriving to the emergency room, I was informed by the emergency room doctor that I would need surgery immediately. However, the emergency room surgeon said my fracture would heal on its own. After being shot up with two shots of morphine, I was sent home. Fortunately, I was able to see my doctor the following day and was in surgery within two hours after seeing him. As he informed me, surgery should have been done the night I went into the emergency room. It's been a month since my surgery and after having four screws placed in my arm, I work fine. However, I still have what is known as radial nerve palsy, but I'm improving every day.
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