Management of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

SAMEER DIXIT, JOHN P. DIFIORI, MONIQUE BURTON, BRANDON MINES

Typical symptoms of patellofemoral pain syndrome include pain behind or around the patella that is increased with running and activities involving knee flexion. Physical therapy is effective, but there is little evidence to support the routine use of knee braces or...

Common Skin Conditions During Pregnancy

MARC TUNZI, GARY R. GRAY

Hormonal changes, preexisting conditions, and pregnancy-specific disorders can affect a woman's skin during pregnancy. Most conditions resolve after delivery and only require symptomatic treatment; however, increased antepartum surveillance may be indicated.

Child Abuse: Approach and Management

KELLY COLLEEN MCDONALD

There are four types of abuse: neglect and emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. The family physician has a responsibility to recognize and treat cases of child abuse on first presentation to prevent significant morbidity and mortality. A multidisci-plinary approach is...

Appropriate Prescribing of Medications: An Eight-Step Approach

MADELYN POLLOCK, ORALIA V. BAZALDUA, ALISON E. DOBBIE

The World Health Organization recommends a six-step systematic approach to medication prescribing to help minimize errors and improve quality. This article describes an eight-step approach that adds use of electronic drug references or prescribing software to improve...

Introducing a New Series and a Redesign for Newsletter

JOYCE A. MERRIMAN

We are pleased to introduce a new series of articles created in collaboration with the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM). The series of five articles will cover common, interesting, and often perplexing sports medicine dilemmas that family physicians...

Newsletter

Congress Passes Legislation That Prevents Medicare Payment Cut | Congress Approves Extension of Physicians for Underserved Areas Act | HHS Unveils Four Cornerstones of Value-Driven Health Care System | Study Finds Many Patients Misunderstand Prescription Drug Labels | AAFP...

Quantum Sufficit

SHERRI DAMLO

Breathe a big sigh of relief—or better yet, phone a friend! A study published in the International Journal of Cancer suggests that people who use cellular phones are not at any greater risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma than those who don't use them. Questionnaires...

Clinical Practice Guideline for Bronchiolitis: Key Recommendations

RICHARD D. CLOVER

Bronchiolitis is common in children younger than 24 months. The most common etiology for bronchiolitis is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Although bronchiolitis is common, there are wide-ranging practice variations for its diagnosis and management. To address...

An Abscess on the Forehead

JENNIFER O'NEILL

A 10-year-old girl presented with a one-week history of a lump on her forehead. It was initially thought to be an infected sebaceous cyst (Figure 1). Review of symptoms revealed a three-month history of nasal discharge and frontal headaches but was otherwise negative. She had...

Levalbuterol Tartrate (Xopenex HFA) for the Treatment of Bronchospasm

MICHELLE L. HILAIRE, JANELL R. WOZNIAK

Levalbuterol tartrate (Xopenex hFa) is a beta2-agonist, hydrofluoroalkane inhalation aerosol labeled for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease. Levalbuterol is the active R-isomer of albuterol (Proventil), which...

Does Delay in Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Impact Prognosis?

Wait-and-See vs. Standard Prescriptions for AOM

Opiates Do Not Change Outcomes in Evaluation of Acute Abdomen

Psychopathologic Behavior: A Consequence of Bullying?

Can Clinical Guidelines Improve the Outcomes of CAP?

Pregnancy Loss After Amniocentesis and CVS

Gastroprotection During NSAID Use

AAP Publishes Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Bronchiolitis

AMBER HUNTZINGER

Guideline source: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the RTI International-University of North Carolina Evidence-Based Practice Center

Practice Guideline Briefs

Chronic Kidney Disease Screening Recommended in Patients with CVD

Practice Guideline Briefs

CDC Releases Data on Visual Impairment in Patients with Diabetes

Diagnosing Patients with Suspected Thyroiditis

Methods for Diagnosing Peripheral Vascular Disease

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral (pa-tell-oh-FEE-mor-al) pain syndrome (or PFPS) is pain at the front of your knee. It may happen when the kneecap (or patella) moves differently than usual.

Tips for Using Medicines Wisely

Medicines can be lifesavers. They can cure or control diseases. But if you use them the wrong way, they can be dangerous. Working together with your doctor can help you avoid problems. Follow the suggestions below for safe medicine use.