Medical dictionary

What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis, meaning “porous bone”, is a condition in which the bones become weak and brittle, due to the body either losing too much bone or making too little. On a microscopic level, the structure of healthy bones resembles a honeycomb, with hollows and spaces. In bones affected by osteoporosis, these hollows and spaces are much w

What is osteoporosis of the spine? Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak and brittle. This results from the body either making too much or too little bone. When examining bones through a microscope, healthy bones have a healthy honeycomb-like structure, whereas bones affected by osteoporosis have larger spaces, weakening their structure. As a result, bones affected by osteo

What is osteosynthesis? Osteosynthesis is a type of reconstructive surgery aimed at stabilising and joining the ends of a broken bone after a fracture, an osteotomy, or a non-union from a previous fracture. Bone fragments are stabilised by using mechanical devices. This allows for a complete or partial healing of the muscles and joint function. Once the bone fragments are stable, the mechani

What is an osteotomy? An osteotomy is a surgical procedure, carried out using general anaesthesia, that repairs damaged joints by cutting and reshaping the bones.  An osteotomy can be performed on the following joints: Knee Hip Spine Jaw Chin Big toe Why is an osteotomy done? An osteotomy will fix problems experienced in different bones and joints. Knee

What is ozone therapy?Ozone therapy is form of alternative medicine which is based on the introduction of ‘ozone’ (e.g activated oxygen) into the body through various routes (such as the rectum, the vagina, intravenously, and subcutaneously). It has been suggested as a treatment or therapy for conditions such as AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis, along with disc problems such as herniated di

What is paediatric orthopaedics? Paediatric orthopaedics is the branch of medicine that deals with injuries and musculoskeletal conditions in children and teens. It is also sometimes known as paediatric orthopaedic surgery. The most common issues that children experience are foot deformities, gait disturbances, and hip dysplasia, among others. These issues can be hereditary, co

What is foot pain? Pain in the foot is an unpleasant sensation that can be felt anywhere on the foot, such as the arch, heel, ankle, or toes. Foot pain is a common problem but in the majority of cases can be treated at home. What are the causes of foot pain? There can are a range of conditions that foot pain could indicate, including: Bone injury or deformity – including,

What is a partial knee replacement? A partial knee replacement is a surgical procedure where, unlike in a full knee replacement, only the damaged or injured part of the knee is removed and replaced. It generally causes less pain and allows the patient a faster recovery, due to the fact that it is a less invasive operation and preserves more of the natural joint. What conditions does a pa

What is it?Kneecap dislocation is a common injury in teenagers between 14 and 17 years old, especially among the athletic population. The kneecap (patella) is displaced from its natural position within the patello-femural joint, being forced away from the midline. Kneecap dislocation often leads to ligaments and cartilage damage. It is important to make the distinction between kneecap disloca