Medical dictionary

What is hand stiffness? Hand stiffness can involve a reduction in the overall range of movement in your hands, or greater difficulty within that range of movement. Stiffness might be constant or it might be worse at certain times of day. Depending on the cause of the stiffness, symptoms may worsen over time, stay the same, or improve.   What causes hand stiffness? Some of the

What is surgical oncology? Surgical oncology is a branch of surgery focussing on the surgical management of tumours, in particular malignant (cancerous) tumours. While the term is frequently used, surgical oncology is not recognised as a specialty by the GMC (General Medical Council); rather, it is a term encompassing a number of disciplines across several specialties, for example, an otola

What is surgical tattoo removal?Surgical tattoo removal is an option for people who regret a tattoo and wish to have it removed. Surgical treatment is a quick and immediate alternative to laser treatment, which usually requires many treatment visits and still does not guarantee complete removal of the image.   What are the reasons people opt to have a tattoo surgically removed?

What is targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR)? Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is a new technique for the management of neuroma and phantom pain in amputees. It is a procedure carried out under general or regional anaesthetic which aims to redirect the nerve ends in an amputated limb. Why is it carried out? Targeted muscle reinnervation is carried out to reduce phantom pain and resi

What is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and what is TMJ disorder? The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) allows us to open and close the mouth so we can perform functions like talking, chewing and yawning. This joint connects the bones of the skull and face, with one on each side of the head. It performs three types of movement: moving up and down, going forward and backward, as well as side to si

What are tendon injuries?Tendon injuries, also known as tendinopathies, happen when there is an overload that causes small fibres to tear. When the affected muscles or joints are put under pressure, it causes tendon inflammation which reduces blood flow and can lead to nerve compression. When there is a mild inflammation it is referred to as tendonitis. It is called tendinosis if there is tendon

What is a therapeutic mammoplasty? A therapeutic mammoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove breast cancer (therapeutic) and reshape (mammoplasty) the breast by removing tissue and skin. This operation is carried out as both a form of treatment of breast cancer and to try to preserve a normal breast shape. After the cancer has been removed and your breast has been remodelled by a surge

What is a thigh lift? A thigh lift is a surgical procedure aimed at aesthetically improving the upper leg area by removing excess skin and giving it more firmness. This procedure is mainly carried out for people with a significant loss of volume in their legs and thighs, resulting in an excess of skin, for example, following extreme weight loss. Why would you have a thigh lift? Depend

What is it? Trigger finger is a condition that affects the tendons that bend the fingers. When the tendon sheath is inflamed, it makes finger extension or flexion difficult. This can cause the fingers to lock or trigger suddenly. The medical term for it is tenosynovitis. Orthopaedic specialists are devoted to preventing, diagnosing, and treating musculoskeletal conditions such as trigger f