Pediatric orthopedic surgeons at Columbia are using a new device with magnetic technology that avoids the need for multiple spine-lengthening surgeries to correct early-onset scoliosis, a severe curvature of the spine in young children. In April 2014, Michael Vitale, MD, the Ana Lucia Professor of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at CUMC and 1995 graduate of P&S, performed the first procedure in the New York area, using the device to treat a 5-year-old boy. When braces and casts cannot control scoliosis in young children, surgeons turn to growing rods, which help correct the curve while allowing the spine to grow. When spinal maturity is near, the rods are removed and a spinal fusion can be performed. But during years of treatment with growing rods, patients must undergo surgery every six months to lengthen the rods to keep up with the patients’ growth. A patient may undergo eight to 10 procedures, which are costly and result in lost time for parents at work and children at school. The new device—MAGEC (MAGnetic Expansion Control) rods—contains a mechanism inside the growing rods that allows surgeons to lengthen the rods with a handheld external magnet, without surgery.

The birth control shot — also called the Depo shot or Depo Provera — is an effective way to prevent pregnancy. How does the birth control shot work? Find out in this video.

This 3d medical animation features a dramatic operative room overview of a left leg below the knee surgical amputation following severe trauma to the ankle and foot.

Your baby is still tiny, but already your body is changing. Your breasts start to swell and may feel tender. Tiredness, nausea, and a frequent need to pee are common pregnancy symptoms. In your second trimester, your growing uterus gradually rises up out of your pelvis.

Worst Pops! Cysts, Zits, Pimples & Blackhead Popping

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Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.

This medication is used to treat certain types of serious (possibly fatal) irregular heartbeat (such as persistent ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia). It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a regular, steady heartbeat. Amiodarone is known as an anti-arrhythmic drug. It works by blocking certain electrical signals in the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat.

Furosemide is a prescription drug. It’s available in two forms that you take by mouth: a tablet and a solution. It’s also available as an injectable solution, which is given by a healthcare provider. The furosemide tablet is available as the brand-name drug Lasix. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version.

Modern treatment of seizures started in 1850 with the introduction of bromides, which was based on the theory that epilepsy was caused by an excessive sex drive. In 1910, phenobarbital (PHB), which then was used to induce sleep, was found to have antiseizure activity and became the drug of choice for many years. A number of medications similar to PHB were developed, including primidone.

Watch a successful venipuncture on an 82 year old patient with a history of failed IV access. Veinlite makes one-stick venipuncture possible on even the most challenging patients.

Lupus hair loss and alopecia explained

Stop and chop surgery on a hard cataract on a small pupil.

Knee replacement surgery advances are improving patients' experiences and outcomes. Knee surgery -- or even partial knee replacement -- is often the solution for advanced knee arthritis. Today you can regain significant mobility and flexibility after knee replacement thanks to advances in orthopedic surgery technology, materials and techniques. Knee replacement recovery times also have improved. This knee replacement surgery video covers what you can expect out of these knee joint replacement advances. Knee replacement surgery has been around for more than 30 years and is an incredibly successful operation. In the past the past, when a person had bad arthritis of the knee, they were pretty much out of luck other than taking aspirin. They'd be debilitated and limited in their activities. So, when a person has pain, stiffness, and their life is becoming restricted by that, that's when it's time to consider knee replacement. We always do non-surgical treatment first. When that doesn't work anymore, then it's time to consider knee replacement. About 500,000 a year are done, and most patients who have gone through this basically say that they wish they had done it sooner.

Educational video describing injection techniques for painful conditions of the foot and ankle.

A talus fracture is a break in one of the bones that forms the ankle. This type of fracture often occurs during a high-energy event, such as a car collision or a high-velocity fall. Because the talus is important for ankle movement, a fracture often results in significant loss of motion and function. In addition, a talus fracture that does not heal properly can lead to serious complications, including chronic pain. For this reason, many talus fractures require surgery.

Is Air Travel During Pregnancy Safe? Traveling by air is considered safe for women while they are pregnant; however, the following ideas might make your trip safer and more comfortable. Most airlines allow pregnant women to travel through their eighth month.

Gastroschisis is a birth defect of the abdominal (belly) wall. The baby’s intestines stick outside of the baby’s body, through a hole beside the belly button. The hole can be small or large and sometimes other organs, such as the stomach and liver, can also stick outside of the baby’s body. Gastroschisis occurs early during pregnancy when the muscles that make up the baby’s abdominal wall do not form correctly. A hole occurs which allows the intestines and other organs to extend outside of the body, usually to the right side of belly button. Because the intestines are not covered in a protective sac and are exposed to the amniotic fluid, the bowel can become irritated, causing it to shorten, twist, or swell.

Disc Disease Videos Watch Disc Disease Videos There are several symptoms that are fairly consistent for people with lower back pain or neck pain from degenerative disc disease, including: Pain that is usually related to activity and will flare up at times but then return to a low-grade pain level, or the pain will go away entirely The amount of chronic pain—referred to as the patient's baseline level of pain—is quite variable between individuals and can range from almost no pain/just a nagging level of irritation, to severe and disabling pain Severe episodes of back or neck pain that will generally last from a few days to a few months before returning to the individual's baseline level of chronic pain Chronic pain that is completely disabling from degenerative disc disease does happen in some cases, but is relatively rare See Treating Chronic Pain and Depression from Degenerative Disc Disease

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. It ends menstruation and the ability to become pregnant. Depending on the reason for the surgery, a hysterectomy may also involve the removal of other organs and tissues such as the ovaries and/or fallopian tubes.