medicine

UCSF Medical Center in Mission Bay. (Mike Koozmin/S.F. Examiner file photo)

$500M gifted to UCSF is largest donation ever

The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) received its largest ever donation…

 

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 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…

 

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)
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)
Little pills give San Francisco a big headache

Little pills give San Francisco a big headache

Those little pills collecting dust in your medicine cabinet raise big health,…

Little pills give San Francisco a big headache
Simply 3D-printing a body part with a few components of the body part will not enable it to function properly, unless the body grows into the implant. (Courtesy photo)

3D printing: Cool, but not quite there

3D tissue printing holds the promise of custom implants on demand. But…

Simply 3D-printing a body part with a few components of the body part will not enable it to function properly, unless the body grows into the implant. (Courtesy photo)
If schools would rethink the way they approach alumnis, all parties — school administrators, current students and alumni — would greatly benefit. (Courtesy photo)

Why class reunions are a bust

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you…

If schools would rethink the way they approach alumnis, all parties — school administrators, current students and alumni — would greatly benefit. (Courtesy photo)
Surgeons gain a huge advantage by using genetic sequencing, which allows them to learn more about a patient than ever before. (Courtesy photo)

Genes and joints: Learning more about your patients

Our world has changed. The recent TED talk by physicist Riccardo Sabatini…

Surgeons gain a huge advantage by using genetic sequencing, which allows them to learn more about a patient than ever before. (Courtesy photo)
The advancement of total knee joint replacement is the most remarkable change in orthopedic care in the last decade. (Courtesy photo)

Here’s a new joint — now go home

Total knee joint replacement has become a day surgery procedure. This is…

The advancement of total knee joint replacement is the most remarkable change in orthopedic care in the last decade. (Courtesy photo)
Tennis star Maria Sharapova, who’s in hot water for testing positive for meldonium, may have been better off by simply explaining that her desire to win is what led her astray. (Aaron Favila/AP)

Sharapova: How could she?

Maria Sharapova. How could she blow her confession so badly? And why…

Tennis star Maria Sharapova, who’s in hot water for testing positive for meldonium, may have been better off by simply explaining that her desire to win is what led her astray. (Aaron Favila/AP)
A man sits on the sidewalk along Eddy Street in San Francisco, Calif. Friday, April 1, 2016. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Examiner)

Decade of tracking homeless deaths in SF sheds light on imperfect system

Note to Readers: This story is part of a package investigating the…

A man sits on the sidewalk along Eddy Street in San Francisco, Calif. Friday, April 1, 2016. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Examiner)
Despite their popularity, cortisone injections can weaken the issues in the knee and inhibit healing. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)

Don’t worry, it’s just a little prick

Injections to the knee joint used to be scary, and almost always…

Despite their popularity, cortisone injections can weaken the issues in the knee and inhibit healing. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)
If meditation hasn’t worked for you in the past, consider the benefits of fantasy, which requires no practice and is available to all. (Courtesy photo)

Stone: Can’t meditate? Fantasize

Meditation has become the prescription of choice for much of what ails…

If meditation hasn’t worked for you in the past, consider the benefits of fantasy, which requires no practice and is available to all. (Courtesy photo)
Dr. Stone shows off his knee at San Francisco Surgery Center in November. (Courtesy Kevin Stone)

Stone: How I chose my surgeon

Ever since a college soccer injury almost 40 years ago, I’ve had…

Dr. Stone shows off his knee at San Francisco Surgery Center in November. (Courtesy Kevin Stone)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater lies on the field after being hit during an NFL game earlier this season. Bridgewater would later be diagnosed with a concussion. (Ann Heisenfelt/2015 AP)

Concussions: What we choose to ignore

Concussions are in vogue. Everyone, it seems, is paying attention to concussions…

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater lies on the field after being hit during an NFL game earlier this season. Bridgewater would later be diagnosed with a concussion. (Ann Heisenfelt/2015 AP)
Osteochrondritis dissecans is a deceptive name for when a portion of the weight-bearing surface of the knee joint becomes unstable or dislodged. (Courtesy photo)

OCD: Misnamed but no longer mistreated

Kids often get knee pain. When it persists, an X-ray may show…

Osteochrondritis dissecans is a deceptive name for when a portion of the weight-bearing surface of the knee joint becomes unstable or dislodged. (Courtesy photo)
Warriors point guard Stephen Curry's ability to play heavy minutes - and absorb tremendous force with his knees - only adds to his impressive pedigree. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Stephen Curry’s knees

When the Golden State Warriors take the court, their speed and precision…

Warriors point guard Stephen Curry's ability to play heavy minutes - and absorb tremendous force with his knees - only adds to his impressive pedigree. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)