Approaching basic science can be daunting. Without clinical experience to offer perspective, the novice student must acquire, assimilate, and apply information within a near vacuum. And yet it must be...

The idea for this book took root on a chilly Sunday in April 1990 as I was nearing the end of my internship. On this particular day, I got a call from a medical resident working in the emergency depar...

I left the hospital one evening and walked through a narrow passageway toward the parking garage. A large trash dumpster was blocking my path. As I squeezed by, I looked inside the dumpster and saw, t...

Introduction Neck pain is a common reason people visit their doctor. Neck pain typically doesn't start from a single injury. Instead, the problem usually develops over time from the stress and strain...

Introduction Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition affecting the bottom of the foot. It is a common cause of heel pain and is sometimes called a heel spur . Plantar fasciitis can come from a number...

Introduction Hallux valgus is a condition that affects the joint at the base of the big toe. The condition is commonly called a bunion . The bunion actually refers to the bump that grows on the side o...

Introduction The meniscus is a commonly injured structure in the knee. The injury can occur in any age group. In younger people, the meniscus is fairly tough and rubbery, and tears usually occur as a...

Introduction The big group of muscles and tendons in the back of the thigh are commonly called the hamstrings . Injuries in this powerful muscle group are common, especially in athletes. Hamstring inj...

Introduction Stenosis means closing in . Spinal stenosis describes a condition in which the nerves in the spinal canal are closed in, or compressed. The spinal canal is the hollow tube formed by the b...