New COPD guideline for doctors
For the first time, a national standard outlines best practice to diagnose and treat COPD, which affects an estimated 638,000 Australians – or one in 13 people aged 40 and over. Read More...
LATEST ARTICLES
Medicare ‘past its use-by’
The Australian General Practice Alliance has called for a major overhaul of Medicare, including having a new independent pricing authority to set rebates. Read More...
Molecular therapeutic potential for some bone disorders
Findings of a recent international study involving WA researchers point to the potential application of mitochondrial therapy for some bone-related diseases. The study published in the scientific journal Nature Communications has delivered new insights on the interactions between osteocytes as bone formation regulators and transcortical vessels (TCVs) that are a crucial part of the vascular system for bone and bone marrow homeostasis. Read More...
Low back pain: a movement disease?
There are no ‘fun-runs’ or coloured ribbons for low back pain, nor are there fundraisers or charities, yet approximately 80% of people will experience a debilitating episode of low back pain (LBP) during their lifetime. Read More...
Managing foot pain – causes and investigations
Foot pain is a prevalent issue affecting people of all ages and lifestyles. Given the complexity of the foot's structure, which comprises 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, with up to five times the load of the patient’s body weight going through the foot and ankle, it's not surprising that many people experience foot pain at some point in their lives. Read More...
Self-care is the best care for people with disabling back pain
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. There is strong evidence that in the absence of serious pathology (such as nerve compression, malignancy, fracture, infection affecting 1-5% of people), low back pain is associated with a combination of biopsychosocial factors than can result in sensitisation of spinal structures. Read More...
Shoulder replacement – an update and future directions
The first joint replacement of any kind was a shoulder replacement. This was performed by a French surgeon in 1893 for the treatment of tuberculosis. Like most things
in medicine, much progress has been made. Read More...
Toddlers sleeping but not playing
New research shows an alarming trend towards sedentary lifestyles among those who should be moving the most for healthy development – toddlers. Read More...