Pyogenic Spinal Infection aka Spondylodiscitis and vertebral osteomyelitis overall are relatively infrequent and may present with bimodal distribution: children and adults >50'sOccasionally considered as two separate entities due to variations in blood supply of pediatric vs. adult spinesRisk factors/causes: distant site of infection in the body (25-35%) e.g. oropharynx, urogenital infections, bacterial endocarditis, indwelling catheters, florid skin infections furunculosis/abscess etc.Iatrogenic: operative… Read More
Patellar tendinitis is a health problem characterized by the inflammation of the tendon which combines the kneecap, or patella, to the shinbone. The knee pain may range from mild to severe depending on the conditions of the knee injury. Patellar tendinitis and knee injuries can occur due to automobile accidents although it is most commonly a sports injury among athletes… Read More
Headaches are a real pain (insert eye-roll here). Many individuals suffer from them, and there are a variety of causes, symptoms, and treatment options. For some, they are a rare occurrence, while others deal with them on a weekly, or even daily, basis. They can range from minor inconveniences to full-fledged life changing afflictions. The first step in treating headaches is… Read More
Ischemic Osteonecrosis Ischemic Osteonecrosis (More accurate term) aka avascular necrosis AVN: this term describes subarticular (subchondral) bone deathIntramedullary bone infarct: describes osteonecrosis within the medullary cavity of the bone (above x-ray image)Causes: m/c: trauma, systemic corticosteroids, diabetes, vasculitis in SLE. The list is long. Other important causes: Sickle cell disease, Gaucher disease, alcohol, caisson disease, SCFE, LCP, etc.Pathology: ischemia and… Read More
Bisphosphonates are a type of drug/medication which blocks the loss of bone density to treat osteoporosis-related ailments. They are most frequently prescribed for the treatment of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates have two phosphonate groups. Evidence demonstrates that they reduce the probability of fractures in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis. Bone tissue undergoes continuous remodeling that is stored to provide equilibrium, or homeostasis, through… Read More
Cancer which develops in specific organs of the human body, including the lungs, breast, or prostate, among others, can sometimes spread into the bone, causing what is known as metastatic bone disease, or MBD. Approximately more than 1.2 million new cancer cases are diagnosed every year, where about 50 percent can spread, or metastasize, to the bones. Through medical advancements, patients diagnosed… Read More
When we think of chiropractic care, our minds automatically jump to treatment for work injuries, or issues stemming from aging. While spinal manipulations and other chiropractic treatment are highly valuable in those situations, they are not the beginning and end of what chiropractic care can accomplish. Here are four key ways chiropractic care safeguards the whole family. Adults who embrace the benefits of a… Read More
Femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI, is a medical state where additional bone develops in a single or multiple of the bones which make up the hip joint, giving the bones an irregular form. As a result, the bones may rub against each other since they do not fit together properly. This friction can ultimately harm the joint, causing pain, discomfort and… Read More
Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) Macroscopic & Microscopic Appearance of Normal vs. Damaged Articular Hyaline Cartilage by DJD Hip Osteoarthritis (OA) aka Osteoarthrosis Symptomatic and potentially disabling DJDProgressive damage and loss of the articular cartilage causing denudation and eburnation of articular boneCystic changes, osteophytes and gradual joint destructionDevelops d/t repeated joint loading and microtramaObesity, metabolic/genetic factorsSecondary Causes: trauma, FAI syndrome, osteonecrosis,… Read More
With the increase of osteoporosis in older adults, the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal hip fractures, such as bisphosphonate-related proximal femoral fractures, has become more important. According to Dr. Edward J. Fox, MD, obesity is often managed through the long-term use of bisphosphonate treatment, which can inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone regeneration. Over the prolonged utilization of bisphosphonate, patients may develop atypical proximal femoral fractures. Understanding Atypical… Read More
Throbbing, dull and achy, sharp and excruciating. All of these words can be used to describe lower back pain. Unfortunately, lower back pain is a common occurrence in adults. According to the American Chiropractic Association, low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide, with millions of reported cases every year. What Treatment Should You Seek If You Experience… Read More
Hip Fractures Garden Classification (above) helps with Dx and correct management of patientsM/C Fx are subcapital (80%)Fxs differentiated as intra-capsular (high risk of AVN) & extra-capsular (lower risk of AVN)Garden 1: incomplete undisplaced Fx typically impaction with valgus off-set of the head (15-20% AVN) patient able to ambulateGarden 2: complete, undisplaced Fx (30% AVN)Garden 3: complete, partially <50% displacedGarden 4:… Read More
Hip fractures are characterized as any type of break in the upper region of the femur or thigh bone. The variety of broken bones generally depends on the circumstances and the force applied to the bone, where some can be more common than others. Impacted femoral neck fractures are common hip fractures which occur in many older adults in the… Read More
Grateful for the treatment they have received for their injuries and conditions, many patients highly recommend Dr. Alex Jimenez, doctor of chiropractic, for a variety of health issues. Chiropractic care is an alternative treatment option which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries and conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system. Dr. Alex Jimenez's patients describe how… Read More
Core Training Back pain can be debilitating, causing immobility, inflexibility, and have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. It can make even the most mundane daily activities extremely difficult – and even excruciating. Building the muscles that make up your core (abdominals and back) can help support your spine and reduce back pain. In many cases, strengthening… Read More