Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often confused with osteoarthritis (OA), but the two are very different. Whereas OA is considered a more mechanical condition of "wear and tear", RA is autoimmune. That means the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own…
Compartment syndrome is a rare, but potentially serious condition affecting the calf or forearm. The compartment in question is a section of muscle, blood vessels, and other tissues. In this condition, the pressure within the compartment rises, reducing the blood…
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is an umbrella term for a number of rare connective tissue disorders. The most common is the hypermobile type (hEDS), which accounts for about 90% of cases. Classical (cEDS) and vascular (vEDS) are the next most common, with…
More than just a figure of speech, tongue tie can affect a baby's ability to breastfeed. This in turn can lead to an unsettled baby who struggles to gain weight, and an uncomfortable mum who might feel she has to…
Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts for more than 3 months. But when we use the term "chronic pain", we're usually referring to a kind of pain with different characteristics to most, not simply a pain that's…
Nothing shocks the system quite like a newborn. From a physical perspective, even without considering recovery from birth itself, both parents suddenly have a lot to contend with. Postpartum Recovery Generally, earlier intervention gives better outcomes, but it's never too…
Thankfully, we're hearing a lot more about the wide reaching impacts the menopause can have. Changes in hormones can affect the way we feel pain, although this is not just limited to changes in the menopause. Thyroid hormones are well…
Reflux is a common ailment for adults, but it can also cause discomfort for babies, especially those under the age of 12 months. What is Reflux? Also known as heartburn in adults, reflux is the back-flow of stomach contents into…
The menisci (singular: meniscus) are two C-shaped pieces of cartilage in each knee. Their roles are to help stabilise and cushion the knee, as well as to provide some shock absorption. Signs and Symptoms of Meniscus Tears The onset of…
Osgood Schlatter's Disease is a common condition that develops in adolescence, and self-resolves by the time the skeleton has matured. It can cause knee pain, but for some people the only sign that they ever had it is a bony…