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Fetal surgery for spina bifida makes a huge difference 10 years later

A new study published in the journal Pediatrics shows that children with spina bifida, a congenital spinal disorder, who had corrective surgery in the womb, show significantly more benefit than those whose operations were performed after birth, even a decade later. These children have more of a chance to walk by themselves and a lower risk of needing more surgeries, compared to those whose condition is corrected only after birth.

23 Jan 2020

Preventing ACL injuries in high school athletes

It's not an uncommon scenario. An athlete is sailing through the air or making a quick turn when all of a sudden he or she hears a "pop" in the knee. An athlete who experiences this followed by sudden pain and swelling often receives the much-feared diagnosis of an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

15 Aug 2018

Children with disabilities endure long waits for life-changing medical equipment

Bev Baker-Ajene waited so long to get an adult-sized wheelchair for her teenage daughter, Savitri, that she eventually forgot she'd ordered it.

19 Jul 2018

Pioneering exercise program improves physical, mental health of elderly people living in care homes

If the number of people over 65 currently accounts for 22% of the total population in the Basque Autonomous Community (region), predictions indicate that this percentage will rise to 30% by 2030.

22 Jun 2018

Pioneering exercise program improves quality of life for older people in care homes

The Ageing-On research group of the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country has devised a pioneering exercise programme that benefits the physical and cognitive level of these individuals

8 Jun 2018

Sprained your knee? The cost of a brace could sprain your wallet.

One July evening, Carol Harnett was in a crosswalk in downtown Portland, Ore., when a driver made an illegal turn and hit her. Transported by ambulance to a hospital, she was diagnosed with a severely sprained right ankle and left wrist, as well as a concussion.

3 May 2018

Doctors use new procedure in patients with damaged hips to avoid replacement surgery

Doctors at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are using a procedure called Subchondroplasty to give patients with damaged hips more treatment options and ultimately avoid replacement surgery.

18 Dec 2017

Hospital enables young patients with cerebral palsy, disabilities to take part in therapeutic riding program

The Adaptive Sports Academy at Hospital for Special Surgery's Lerner Children's Pavilion is enabling young patients with cerebral palsy or another physical challenge to participate in activities they never dreamed possible.

26 Aug 2017

Researchers develop new modified toy car designs for children with disabilities

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed two new modified toy car designs for children with disabilities in an effort to encourage them to further explore, play, and engage in physical and social activities.

24 May 2017

Are we sleeping less than we used to?

There's no solid evidence that we sleep fewer hours today than we ever did, this is something I have gone into large amounts of detail in my book, in my published papers and at a recent meeting at the Royal Society of Medicine.

6 Apr 2017

Sports massage therapist offers tips to better recognize and prevent common workout injuries

For many, the start of a new year means the start of a new workout regimen. It is difficult enough to make the time commitment, but nothing throws off a resolution like an injury.

24 Feb 2017

CSHL researcher-inventor hails FDA approval of new SMA drug

Within a week of Christmas day, a drug called nusinersen will be in the hands of doctors across the nation, who will use it, most urgently, to treat young children with a severe and potentially fatal illness called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

26 Dec 2016

Researchers design small compounds with potential to correct mitochondrial dysfunction

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited disorder that leads to a gradual loss of motor neurons and, eventually, paralysis. The condition is caused by genetic mutations that disrupts cells' energy factories, called mitochondria.

25 Oct 2016

NIST study details challenges faced by people with mobility impairments during emergency evacuation

A fire alarm sounds. An announcement comes over the office public address system: "A fire has been reported in the building. This is not a drill. Please move to the nearest stairwell and exit the building."

26 Aug 2016

UC San Diego Health participates in nationwide clinical study on hemophilia B gene therapy

The Hemophilia and Thrombosis Treatment Center at UC San Diego Health has joined a nationwide clinical trial testing a potential gene therapy that may one day provide a better and long-lasting treatment for people with hemophilia B.

23 Mar 2016

Indego exoskeleton receives FDA certification for U.S. use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given clearance to market and sell the powered lower-limb exoskeleton created by a team of Vanderbilt engineers and commercialized by the Parker Hannifin Corporation for both clinical and personal use in the United States.

11 Mar 2016

New pain management technique can reduce loss of muscle strength in ACL knee surgery patients

Anesthesiologists can significantly reduce loss of muscle strength in ACL knee surgery patients using a new pain management technique, a new study has found.

4 Mar 2016

UCL researchers create first massive open online course on four less-common forms of dementia

Researchers at University College London have created the first massive open online course on four of the less-common forms of dementia. Developed by Timothy Shakespeare, with Sebastian Crutch and Nick Fox, "The Many Faces of Dementia" will kick off on March 14.

22 Feb 2016

MedTechSouthEast competition displays advanced medical technologies for Parkinson’s patients

Laser-emitting shoes and a Meccano-style walking aid kit are just two of the inventions being developed by companies in London and the south east that could help people stay independent for longer as they get older or develop debilitating illnesses, according to Design Council and MedCity, the Mayor of London’s life sciences promotional organisation.

12 Nov 2015

Fetuses with enlarged ventricles are not ideal candidates for fetal spina bifida surgery

Fetuses with enlarged ventricles--the fluid-filled cavities inside the brain--may be less likely than other fetuses to benefit from surgery in the womb to treat spina bifida, according to a study co-authored by researchers at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco.

16 Sep 2015