Archive for orthopedics
A safe, pain-specific anesthetic shows preclinical promise
All current local anesthetics block sensory signals — pain — but they also interrupt motor signals, which can be problematic. For example, too much epidural anesthesia can prevent mothers in labor from being able to push. Prolonged local anesthesia after orthopedic surgery can leave patients unable to participate in rehab. Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital ... Read More about A safe, pain-specific anesthetic shows preclinical promise
Adam takes a pause from his active life for non-ossifying fibroma
Adam was 11 in early 2024 when he and his bike slid under a downed tree. Such events aren’t unusual for Adam, who finds plenty of opportunities to test the limits of gravity near his home in Southern Maine. “Adam is the epitome of activity,” says his mother, Jessica. After the bike incident, however, he ... Read More about Adam takes a pause from his active life for non-ossifying fibroma
Ask a sports medicine specialist: Why are ACL tears so common among female athletes?
When an athlete is sprinting after an opponent who suddenly stops or changes direction, their anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) make it possible for them to continue their pursuit. This much talked-about ligament is the reason athletes can pivot, cut, jump, and land. “The ACL is one of the main stabilizing ligaments in the knee,” explains ... Read More about Ask a sports medicine specialist: Why are ACL tears so common among female athletes?
Forging a path back to school after orthopedic trauma
Orthopedic trauma can force children to miss school, sometimes for an extended period. But even when patients have regained enough mobility to return to school, their schools aren’t always equipped to welcome them back. “Trauma is different from many other orthopedic conditions because it’s so unexpected,” says Kristin Livingston, MD, director of the Orthopedic Trauma ... Read More about Forging a path back to school after orthopedic trauma
Jackie’s dreams of playing professional soccer back on track after ACL surgery
From her dorm in Newcastle, England, Jackie Zapata can hear fans roaring in the soccer stadium a few blocks away. Soccer is a major pastime in her adopted home. “The city gets amped up anytime there’s a game,” she says. “It’s a huge part of the culture here.” This enthusiasm makes Newcastle a good place ... Read More about Jackie’s dreams of playing professional soccer back on track after ACL surgery
What orthopedic trauma surgeons wish more parents knew about lawnmower injuries
Summer is full of delights: lemonade, ice cream, and fresh-cut grass to name a few. Unfortunately, the warmer months can also come with a type of injury that takes many families by surprise. Mowing the lawn may seem perfectly normal and safe. However, the blades that cut the grass can also do serious damage to ... Read More about What orthopedic trauma surgeons wish more parents knew about lawnmower injuries
Pirate puzzles and peekaboo: Beckett’s brachial plexus birth injury story
Beckett Stone-Lyman is an adorable, fun 2-year-old who loves to run, sprint, and climb. If he’s not charging around the playground, he’s probably doing a pirate puzzle. Or maybe he’s staring at his fingers as he wiggles them, amazed that his right hand can now do many of the same things as his left. Thanks ... Read More about Pirate puzzles and peekaboo: Beckett’s brachial plexus birth injury story
A fall from a swing uncovers a rare cervical spine condition: Charlotte’s story
If it were any other year, Charlotte Gillis would have celebrated her 10th birthday in mid-July with a big party. But in June 2024, a fall from a swing had left her temporarily paralyzed. Though her mobility returned within a few hours, she was still in a neck brace, still wobbly on her feet, and ... Read More about A fall from a swing uncovers a rare cervical spine condition: Charlotte’s story
The surprising energy demands of marathon training
Training for a marathon? Are you eating enough to help your body recover from one long training run and gear up for the next one? A surprising number of marathon runners don’t. In a study of athletes training for the Boston Marathon, more than two in five women and almost one in five men regularly ... Read More about The surprising energy demands of marathon training
MRI could reduce the mystery of brachial plexus injuries in infants
About one in 1,000 children are born with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI), upper extremity weakness or paralysis resulting from trauma to the brachial plexus nerves during childbirth. Most children with BPBI recover with observation and minimally invasive care, but about 30 percent have injuries severe enough to lead to long-term impairment. Thanks to recent ... Read More about MRI could reduce the mystery of brachial plexus injuries in infants