Medical dictionary

What is kleptomania? Kleptomania is a mental disorder characterised by an uncontrolled and obsessive impulse to steal. In psychiatry it is considered as an impulse control disorder, which means the person with the disorder has problems resisting the temptation to perform acts which are harmful to either themselves or others.     What are the symptoms of kleptomania? Th

What is Klinefelter syndrome? Klinefelter syndrome (KS), which may also be referred to as KS or XXY, is a genetic condition in which males are born with an extra X chromosome. Sometimes, this extra X chromosome can cause certain symptoms or problems. For example, babies and toddlers with Klinefelter syndrome may crawl, walk and talk later than average, they may be shy and have learnin

The knee joins the thigh to the lower part of the leg, connected by two joints. One is the tibiofemoral joint, between the femur and tibia, while the other is the paletellofemoral joint, between the femur and patella. The knee is the largest of the joints in the human body, but it is also one of the most easily injured. What is the knee made up of? The knee is made up of bone, ligaments,

What is the knee? The knee is the central joint of the legs. It is formed by the meeting of two important bones: the femur and the tibia, and it joins the thigh and the lower leg. Inside the knee is a small bone called the patella or kneecap, which articulates with the anterior and inferior part of the femur. The knee also houses two fibrocartilage discs, the menisci, and it is surrounded by

What is knee arthritis? Arthritis of the knee is inflammation of the knee joints. It is characterised by pain, swelling, inflammation, and eventually, restriction in movement. Arthritis affects different joints in the body, but very commonly it affects the knees. Knee arthritis mainly affects adults, however, some types of knee arthritis can affect children. There are different types of kne

What is knee arthroscopy? Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows access to and treatment of injuries affecting the various structures of the knee joint. Two or three small incisions of less than a centimetre are made to allow access to the joint. Most knee surgeries that do not involve implant placement are performed using full or partial knee arthroscopy. This is

What is knee cartilage replacement? Knee cartilage replacement involves the replacement of parts of the cartilage that have been damaged as a result of specific injuries or arthritis. Normally, a local anaesthetic is used in cartilage transplant surgery, which is applied to the injured leg. The anaesthetist will discuss with you the best way to proceed, to make sure you experience as littl

What is a knee fracture? A knee fracture is a break or rupture in a bone in the knee joint. These bones are usually injured by falls, traffic accidents, contact sports and physical exercise. Prognosis: Depending on the severity of the fracture, some knee fractures can heal without the need for surgery, and conservative measures will suffice. However, bigger fractures will need surgery

What is osteoarthritis of the knee? Osteoarthritis of the knee is a disease which mainly consists of a tearing of the articular cartilage, and it can be progressive. The disease is not exclusive to old age, however, the frequency of affliction increases with age. It is also more common in women than in men, and in people who are genetically predisposed to it. Although many of these factors a