The distal biceps tendon tear is an injury which has occurred with increased frequency over the last few years. It is common in body builders. A complete tear will not heal on its own, and may lead to certain functional and cosmetic deficits. With good rehabilitation you may overcome some of the weakness caused by the injury, but to restore the natural contour of the biceps muscle and to obtain maximum strength, surgery will be needed…
But how can I have tennis elbow? I don’t even play tennis! Most people I see who have developed pain on the outer aspect of their elbow are not tennis players. A mild discomfort can develop into a throbbing ache when picking up a suitcase or gripping something tightly. The pain can worsen until sleep is affected – the umpire is then usually consulted for a review. With the right treatment, you can make a strong comeback…
No-one likes to be told their work could be improved, much less myself. I suspect most surgeons think of themselves as perfectionists. We admit to “being a bit OCD”, all in the name of achieving the best result possible. Whatever miracles we may perform under the skin, it is the scar by which we are judged. We don’t always get it right. And every so often, a patient will let you know in his or her own unique way…
Knee swelling often occurs in conjunction with other symptoms, such as pain. If the swelling is mild or there are no other symptoms, it may go unnoticed. The nature of the swelling may give a clue as to it’s cause. Swelling is usually a sign that there is something wrong and this should be investigated. Don’t panic, though – not all causes of knee swelling require surgery and often there is a simple solution to the problem…
There are a variety of ACL graft options available for those needing ACL reconstruction. The decision on which graft is used is usually made on the surgeon’s recommendation. There are pro’s and con’s with each type of graft, and a basic understanding of these is recommended. Generally speaking, there is no one graft which is vastly superior to the others. Having said that, there are definitely options that are best avoided…