The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved the use of Botox for the treatment of increased stiffness and tightness in certain muscles of the upper extremities in patients with conditions like traumatic brain injury, stroke, and progressive multiple sclerosis.

They also reiterated that the treatment is not meant to be a substitute for physical therapy and rehabilitation and that there are many possible serious side effects with its use.  bjmdjd

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It looks like Medicare patients and the physicians that see them may be safe again for a while. The Senate today voted to delay the 21.2% Medicare physician pay cut until October 1, 2010. It will take effect if the House approves it and President Obama signs it. Both which will probably occur.

This is the same bill with extending unemployment benefits attached to it and extension of premium subsidies for those who are out of work under the COBRA program. Most Democrats voted for it in the Senate and most Republicans voted against it under the guise of not wanting to increase the deficit.

As I wrote earlier, I understand and agree with the deficit problem but the unemployed need some money to exist and Medicare patients need to be able to get an appointment to see their doctors. Hopefully Congress will finally create a permanent fix for the Medicare physician reimbursement problem that they have had to frequently cover with a band aid.  bjmdjd

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The results of two different studies that were scheduled to be presented today at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons detail the high rate of severe injuries to children who ride all terrain vehicles (ATVs). These injuries include spinal injuries, amputations, and even death.

A pediatric emergency medicine specialist at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital who was not involved in the studies said that ATV associated deaths increased almost 60% from 2000 to 2005 and non fatal accidents increased 48%. People, kids and adults, love them but these studies only reiterate what those of us in medicine already knew.  bjmdjd

Material modifications since posting: none

all terrain vehicles · American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · ATVs · Botox · Food and Drug Administration · health · Medicare physician pay cut · muscle tightness and stiffness · Senate · wellness