Multiple sclerosis Definition: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, selective demyelination, and gliosis. It can cause both acute and chronic symptoms and can result in a significant disability and impaired quality of life.MS affects approximately 400,000 persons in the united states; worldwide MS affects approximately 2.1 million people. It was first…
DEFINITION OF LEPROSY : 1: A chronic infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium (Mycobacterium leprae) affecting especially the skin and peripheral nerves and characterized by the formation of nodules or macules that enlarge and spread accompanied by loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities — called also Hansen’s disease2:…
What is a Dupuytren’s Contracture? Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition in which one or more fingers become permanently bent in a flexed position. It usually begins as small hard nodules just under the skin of the palm. It then worsens over time until the fingers can no longer be straightened. While typically not painful some…
What is a Frenkel’s Exercise? The Frenkel’s exercise was created by Heinrich Frenkel to help individuals with ataxia, to improve coordination and proprioception. With these exercises, the central nervous system is trained by carefully repeating activities, especially in the lower limbs, while maintaining a high level of focus. There are three ways to perform the…
What is a Motor Neurone Disease (MND)? Motor neurone diseases (MND) are a group of conditions that cause the nerves in the spine and brain to progressively lose function. They are a rare but serious and incurable form of progressive neurodegeneration. Motor neurons are nerve cells that send electrical output signals to the muscles, affecting…
What is a Coxa Vara? Coxa vara is a deformity of the hip, whereby the angle between the head and the shaft of the femur is reduced to less than 120 degrees. This results in the leg being shortened, and the development of a limp. It is commonly caused by injury, such as a fracture….
What is Flatfoot? Flatfoot (pes planus) is a condition in which the longitudinal arch in the foot, which runs lengthwise along the sole of the foot, has not developed normally and is lowered or flattened out. One foot or both feet may be affected. When the arches on the inside of your feet are flattened,…
What is a Diabetic Neuropathy? Diabetic neuropathy refers to the damage that affects the nerves of the body in people who have diabetes. It is a progressive disease, and symptoms worsen over a number of years. People who do not control their blood sugar levels and those who have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol,…
What is an Achilles Tendinitis? Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury that causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It commonly affects runners, athletes, and individuals who suddenly increase their activity levels. It’s also typical for middle-aged people to solely participate in weekend activities…
Peripheral: Beyond (in this case, beyond the brain and the spinal cord.)Neuro-: Related to the nerves-pathy: Disease Peripheral neuropathy refers to the conditions that result when nerves that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord from and to the rest of the body are damaged or diseased. The peripheral nerves make up…
