March 1, 2006

A basic understanding of the anatomy of the finger, common finger injury mechanisms, and when referral is necessary will ensure optimal outcomes after a finger injury. Part II of this two-part article focuses on the evaluation of finger fractures and dislocations, as well as…

Family physicians can adequately treat most finger fractures and dislocations and thumb injuries, but they must recognize when referral is necessary. Part I of this two-part article focuses on the evaluation of common ligament and tendon injuries of the finger.

Distinguishing diastolic from systolic heart failure is essential because the optimal therapy for one may aggravate the other. Although the two are clinically and radiographically indistinguishable, certain features may confirm a diastolic heart failure diagnosis.

When a healthy newborn is discharged from the hospital, physicians should give the parents a checklist covering key aspects of infant care. Parents should be encouraged to discuss their concerns and questions with their physician.

Pelvic inflammatory disease ranges from asymptomatic to severe with serious sequelae; diagnosis generally is clinical, although further testing is available. Treatment should cover Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and some patients may require initial…

Clinical review articles published in AFP go through a rigorous peer review process before they are accepted for publication. This type of review process is one of the hallmarks of a highly respected, accurate, credible publication. Every clinical review article is scrutinized…

Selected policy and health issues news briefs from AAFP News Now.

Swimming with the dolphins may be more than just a summer vacation activity. According to authors of a study published in the British Medical Journal, swimming with dolphins may alleviate depression more effectively than swimming alone. Scientists studied 30 patients with mild…

Taking a newborn home is an exciting and anxious time. This may be an opportunity for physicians to educate patients, or it may be a time when the mother is tired and the family is too distracted to benefit from physician counseling. In this issue of American Family Physician…

Although oral appliances provide improved subjective sleepiness and sleep-disordered breathing, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is more effective. Oral appliances should not be used as a first-line treatment but rather should be reserved for patients who cannot…

The interventions that have the best supporting evidence are the distribution of guidelines with standard referral forms and the involvement of specialist consultants in education. Disseminating guidelines without forms and providing physicians with feedback on referral…

Cyclic vs. Continuous or Extended-Cycle Combined Contraceptives

This statement summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on genetic risk assessment and BRCA mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility and the supporting scientific evidence. Explanations of the ratings and of the strength…

What are the effects of treatments and interventions to prevent acute mountain sickness?

Resolution of acute pain related to herpes zoster is accelerated with any of the following: oral acyclovir (Zovirax) 800 mg five times daily for seven days; valacyclovir (Valtrex) 1,000 mg three times daily for seven days; or famciclovir (Famvir) 750 mg once daily, 500 mg twice…

Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challenge based on a photograph or other image.

The New Model of family medicine, introduced in the Future of Family Medicine report,1 offers physicians the opportunity to increase the efficiency and reliability of their practices and improve clinical care, patient satisfaction, and the “bottom line.”

Prenatal exposure to alcohol can damage the developing fetus and is a leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Despite the known adverse effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, children who experience these effects often do not receive a…

Guidelines for the routine use of the newly approved tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) and updated guidelines for the use of the standard tetravalent meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) have been issued in a policy statement from the Committee on…

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released evidence-based guidelines for medical abortion.

Mallet finger is an injury to your fingertip that usually happens when a ball hits the end of your finger while playing sports (see drawing).

Exercising an injured finger can help make it stronger and easier to move. You shouldn’t start these exercises until your doctor says it is safe.

Most babies have six to eight wet diapers per day.