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  • Myelomeningocele (Spina Bifida)

    1. DISEASE/DISORDER: Definition Myelomeningocele (MM) is a developmental birth defect of the neural tube (NT), resulting in an open spinal cord lesion.  The following are types of NT defects: Anencephaly occurs when the cephalic end of the NT fails to close, resulting in absence of a large portion of the brain, skull and scalp. Spina bifida occulta is a defect of the posterior bony …

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    1. DISEASE/DISORDER: Definition Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common cause of adult onset motor neuron disease, is characterized by progressive lower motor neuron degeneration with muscle atrophy and fasciculations, and upper motor neuron degeneration with spasticity and hyperreflexia. It starts in the limbs in more than two-thirds of the patients, upper limb involvement more prevalent than lower. Bulbar involvement is observed initially in …

  • Cervical Whiplash

    1. DISEASE/DISORDER: Definition Cervical Whiplash is an injury to the cervical spine and supporting structures resulting from an acceleration-deceleration force. Etiology Cervical whiplash injury has been reported with various impact mechanisms but most frequently occurs as the result of a rear-end or side-impact motor vehicle collision (MVC) Typically caused by a rapid acceleration of the body with respect to the head, which results in …

  • Neuromuscular complications of cancer

    1. DISEASE/DISORDER: Definition Cancer and/or its treatments can produce a wide variety of disorders of the peripheral nervous system, including affecting the motor or sensory neurons, autonomic nerves or their fibers, nerve roots, plexi, single or multiple mononeuropathies or entrapments, peripheral neuropathies, neuromuscular junction disorders or damage of the muscles themselves. Etiology Direct effects of cancer on the peripheral nervous system include mechanical compression …

  • Specialized musculoskeletal examination

    1. OVERVIEW AND DESCRIPTION Specialized musculoskeletal tests Examine the structural integrity of joints, muscles, and tendons Assess joint stability, strength, and provoke pain from damaged and inflamed musculoskeletal structures May elicit a painful response from damage to adjacent joint-associated structures (bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, labra, and synovia) Should always be performed within the context of a complete history and physical exam, including …

  • Mild to Moderate Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

    1. DISEASE/DISORDERS: Definition Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a disruption of brain function that can be characterized by: any loss of consciousness less than 30 minutes, loss of memory immediately prior to or after the injury not exceeding 24 hours, any altered mental status at the time of the event, or focal neurologic changes. However, in order to be characterized as …