Dupuytren's contracture is a chronic condition that affects the palmar fascia, leading to progressive flexion of the fingers, particularly the ring and little fingers. This article provides an in-depth review of the current understanding of the condition and its management. Commonly seen in older men of Northern European descent, Dupuytren's can significantly impair hand function as contractures develop.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the comparative outcomes of conservative management versus surgical intervention for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar focused on studies published between 2010 and 2024. Data synthesis employed both thematic analysis for qualitative data and meta-analysis for quantitative outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives Surgical care for traumatic injuries remains a major concern to public health in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes rising inequalities in global health. The objectives of this study were to compare the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 estimates on injury mortality and disability across sub-Saharan sub-regions by cause-of-injury category.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCervical cancer is a major health concern in Nigeria, where it is one of the primary causes of cancer-related deaths among women. Despite the crucial role of radiation therapy in treating cervical cancer, many patients in Nigeria do not complete their prescribed treatment courses. This review examines the barriers contributing to this issue.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGiven the compromised bone quality and altered healing environment, fracture non-union in osteoporotic bones presents a complex challenge in orthopedics. As global populations age, the incidence of osteoporotic fractures rises, leading to increased delayed healing and non-union cases. The pathophysiology underlying non-union in osteoporotic patients involves impaired bone regeneration, reduced osteoblast function, and poor vascularity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDuring adolescence, significant changes unfold in the brain's maturation process. The density of white matter increases, accompanied by the pruning back of gray matter. This critical and vulnerable period becomes especially noteworthy in the context of drug use, as adolescents are extensively exposed to substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common gastrointestinal tract disease and can be divided into two major groups: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). These two entities can be diagnosed from a combination of invasive and non-invasive tests as well as a thorough history and physical examination. However, invasive tests are preferred for a definitive diagnosis since the two entities have characteristic features of colonoscopy and biopsy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has sparked interest in its potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics. This systematic review explores the application of AI and machine learning (ML) techniques in diagnosing scaphoid fractures, which account for a significant percentage of carpal bone fractures and have important implications for wrist function. Scaphoid fractures, common in young and active individuals, require an early and accurate diagnosis for effective treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare services globally. Whilst it has been particularly disruptive for cancer care in low-resource settings, a few African countries have been able to adapt strategies to enable continued delivery of medical care to persons with cancer. This study seeks to highlight how much effect the coronavirus pandemic has had on oncological care in Africa and to indicate the way forward.
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