Health

Washing hands frequently remains important in the battle to stop the spread of COVID-19. (Courtesy photo)

Updated perspectives of COVID: October 2020

Mask-wearing, hand-washing, testing are still best protections

 

(Photo courtesy Shutterstock)

Health officials warn flu outbreak is widespread in Bay Area

The San Francisco Department of Public Health has announced that influenza levels…

 

(Photo courtesy Shutterstock)

7 tips to combat viral upper respiratory illness

The next time you go to see your health care provider for…

 

Health officials encourage those traveling this holiday to take precautions against Zika

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is urging those traveling this holiday…

(Courtesy California Department of Public Health)

California Department of Public Health encourages caution around wild mushrooms

In the wake of recent wet weather, Dr. Karen Smith, the Director…

(Courtesy California Department of Public Health)
San Francisco General Hospital (Mike Koozmin/S.F. Examiner)

Traffic injuries cost patients $35 million per year at San Francisco General

The Department of Public Health released a report earlier this month showcasing…

San Francisco General Hospital (Mike Koozmin/S.F. Examiner)
The outcomes of surgically repaired clavicle fractures are now proving to be better and less deforming than those of fractures left alone. (Courtesy photo)

Treating broken collarbones

Clavicle fractures hurt. The collarbone sticks up under the skin and moves…

The outcomes of surgically repaired clavicle fractures are now proving to be better and less deforming than those of fractures left alone. (Courtesy photo)
The irritated tissues around the patella are commonly treated with growth factors combined with lubrication injections rather than cortisone, since steroids have been shown to weaken tissues. (Courtesy photo)

The Patella Dilemma

The knee cap is a frequent source of pain. While treatments for…

The irritated tissues around the patella are commonly treated with growth factors combined with lubrication injections rather than cortisone, since steroids have been shown to weaken tissues. (Courtesy photo)
It is time to let doctors to be doctors, before there aren’t any creative ones left.

New and cool and not for you

A significant number of new-and-improved devices are now available for surgeons to…

It is time to let doctors to be doctors, before there aren’t any creative ones left.
Reconstruction and replacement of the meniscus cartilage and the articular cartilage have advanced to the point where a number of long-term studies document excellent pain relief and a return not only to daily activities but to sports as well. (Courtesy photo)

Why ‘useless’ surgery is useful

Recent news stories proclaiming meniscus surgery to be useless miss the point,…

Reconstruction and replacement of the meniscus cartilage and the articular cartilage have advanced to the point where a number of long-term studies document excellent pain relief and a return not only to daily activities but to sports as well. (Courtesy photo)
Curvature of the leg bones doesn’t always require dramatic surgical operations. Often, replacing and repairing the missing shock absorbers makes more sense. (Courtesy photo)

Don’t break a leg

Many people are bowlegged. Some are knock-kneed. Only a few are truly…

Curvature of the leg bones doesn’t always require dramatic surgical operations. Often, replacing and repairing the missing shock absorbers makes more sense. (Courtesy photo)
A planned research facility at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital is expected to have an impact on existing parking. (Mike Koozmin/2015 S.F. Examiner)

UCSF, city finalizing lease agreement for new research facility

A proposal to build a UC San Francisco research facility at Zuckerberg…

A planned research facility at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital is expected to have an impact on existing parking. (Mike Koozmin/2015 S.F. Examiner)
Join Walk SF on Sept. 10 for Peak2Peak, a one-of-a-kind urban trek through San Francisco. (Courtesy Erica Mesker)

Urban trek showcases all San Francisco has to offer

Type “walk San Francisco” into Google and you’ll find 85,500,000 search results.…

Join Walk SF on Sept. 10 for Peak2Peak, a one-of-a-kind urban trek through San Francisco. (Courtesy Erica Mesker)
U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky stands on the podium to receive her gold medal for winning the women’s 200m freestyle at the Olympic Aquatic Stadium in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 9. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Why Katie Ledecky wins: grit

Swimmer Katie Ledecky doesn’t just win. She crushes the competition. She crushes…

U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky stands on the podium to receive her gold medal for winning the women’s 200m freestyle at the Olympic Aquatic Stadium in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 9. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
There are a number of possible explanations for why a knee might make audible noises. (Courtesy photo)

What’s happening when your knee goes snap, crackle and pop

In the month of August we will be revisiting some of our…

There are a number of possible explanations for why a knee might make audible noises. (Courtesy photo)
Among the many responsibilities of a nurse is interfacing with the rest of the operating room staff in ways decrease the stress and errors that come from miscommunication. (Courtesy photo)

Why the nurse matters

One of my nurses is my surgical assistant. My other nurse is…

Among the many responsibilities of a nurse is interfacing with the rest of the operating room staff in ways decrease the stress and errors that come from miscommunication. (Courtesy photo)
When combined with the enormous number of “selfies” people take each day, a bot, troll or computer agent can monitor our lives and replicate much of it by approximating our actions. (Courtesy photo)

Digital immortality is our new reality

The Singularity — the merger of machines and humans — is a…

When combined with the enormous number of “selfies” people take each day, a bot, troll or computer agent can monitor our lives and replicate much of it by approximating our actions. (Courtesy photo)
Data shows that 50 percent of people with an ACL injury will get arthritis. (Courtesy photo)

How to avoid a total knee replacement

First of all: Don’t get hurt. Once you injure your knee —…

Data shows that 50 percent of people with an ACL injury will get arthritis. (Courtesy photo)
S.F. Examiner file photo

Supporters hope to keep second SF soda tax from going flat

San Francisco soda tax supporters are hoping round two of an effort…

S.F. Examiner file photo
Doctors can now harvest stem cells in the office or in surgery, concentrate them and inject them into a site of injury to stimulate healing, as shown in this 3D rendered illustration. (Courtesy photo)

Stem cells vs. growth factors

The era of anabolic medicine is here. We no longer inject cortisone…

Doctors can now harvest stem cells in the office or in surgery, concentrate them and inject them into a site of injury to stimulate healing, as shown in this 3D rendered illustration. (Courtesy photo)