DocTalk

Early look at this week's column. Tiger's low back pain is a reminder that pro athletes get different care than the rest of the world. There are guidelines that doctors should follow in evaluation and caring for patients with low back pain...but they don't.

http://mddirect.org/2013/08/25/low-back-pain/

 

Vince Young's failure to make the Packers was a matter of bad timing according To GM Ted Thompson. He would be pleased to know that timing is a big deal in medicine as well. Too early can be an issue for those with appendicitis, heart attack and overdose.

http://mddirect.org/2013/09/02/timing-everything/

 

Vince Young's failure to make the Packers was a matter of bad timing according To GM Ted Thompson. He would be pleased to know that timing is a big deal in medicine as well. Too early can be an issue for those with appendicitis, heart attack and overdose.

http://mddirect.org/2013/09/02/timing-everything/

 

It's usually not wise to attempt a diagnosis from press reports but sometimes the challenge is too tempting. This week's column plays Clue to guess the wrist injury that sidelined New England Patriot running back Shane Vereen and had him in the operating room 24 hours later.

http://mddirect.org/2013/09/09/carpal-bones-get-respect/

 

Brandon Weeden's thumb is a reminder that spraining a tiny ligament in the hand can be a big deal. There is even a hand anatomy lesson thrown in as a bonus.

Thanks for reading.

http://mddirect.org/2013/09/16/small-ligament-big-consequence/

 

Another week, another finger injury, another opportunity to talk about anatomy. This week, it's Rashad Johnosn who amputated his fingertip. More in this week's column:

http://mddirect.org/2013/09/23/getting-finger/

 

Unlocking the Jake Locker injury mystery. Hip dislocation? Labrum tear? This week's column
http://mddirect.org/2013/09/30/hip/

 

Question Doc - I'm a runner. 30 years old. Excellent shape. I've been running for years. The past couple of weeks, I've had to stop my runs very short (less than a mile in) because of intense pressure in my right lower leg. I get this lump that forms just to the ouside of my right shin, near the front of my leg. Within seconds of stopping my run, the pressure/pain ceases, and within a minute the lump is gone. But within 100 yards of starting to run again, the lump and pressure/pain return. Yesterday, when the pain/pressure started, I quit running and went to a nearby set of stairs up a large hill and began doing sprints there. Felt no pain or pressure doing so, so it seems this problem is limited to distance running.

What causes this? What can I do to stop it so that I can keep running? I'm sure you'll recommend seeing a doctor, but do you have any thoughts first?

 

You could got to your local running store and ask...or you could check with a physical therapist...or you could visit your doctor...but it's hard to fell the lump on your leg through my ISP. The big question: why would you run stairs when your leg hurts running on the flats.

It will be important to get a solid diagnosis to prevent a more serious overuse injury. You've only been running for a few years and still have decades of training to go.

 

Reading press releases about Luke Joeckel's injury and my one take away message is that anatomy matters. I'm almost certain that there is no such thing as a high ankle fracture, no matter what the Jacksonville Jaguars front office says. It's a big deal to describe fractures appropriately, since each has its own potential complication.

This weeks column:
http://mddirect.org/2013/10/07/words-anatomy-matter/

 

The Buccaneers have a better chance of winning on the field than beating MRSA and keeping it out of their locker room. More in this week's column.
http://mddirect.org/2013/10/14/skinny-mrsa/

 

The fear of spinal cord injury haunts every football player but the mantra of personal invincibility and pretending ignorance allows each to play the next down. Jermichael Finley is the reminder that football is a sport of controlled violence. This wek's column
http://mddirect.org/2013/10/21/spinal-cord-injury-2/