Understanding Long-Term Effects of Childhood Brain Injuries
Neurological issues? Doctor, may I ask: My child had an injury in a car accident at the age of 2, and the brain CT scan at that time was normal. Now, nearly 20 years later, from middle school to college, they often experience headaches and have long sleep durations, always feelin...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Please visit the neurology department at a tertiary hospital for an examination. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding Long-Term Effects of Childhood Brain Injuries
Is This Symptom a Sign of Varicose Veins?
Does this symptom qualify as varicose veins? I have noticed prominent veins on the soles of my feet, and there are also two noticeable veins near the bones on the inner side of my ankles, especially when standing. P.S. I usually do not stand for long periods.
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Please handle it in the outpatient department.[Read More] Is This Symptom a Sign of Varicose Veins?
Unexplained Leg Abnormalities: Seeking Answers and Treatment Options
Leg abnormalities with an undetermined cause? Hello, this is my sister's medical condition. After she fell down in junior high school, she started experiencing symptoms in her right leg, which has become thicker and shorter than the other leg. There is a noticeable discrepan...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
1. Orthopedics: Check for dislocation or fracture of the hip joint. 2. Dermatology: Examine skin lesions for lichensification. 3. Neurology: Assess the head and neck for abnormalities that may cause headaches or dizziness. 4. It is recommended to visit a tertiary care hospi...[Read More] Unexplained Leg Abnormalities: Seeking Answers and Treatment Options
Understanding Purple Veins on the Feet: Is It Varicose Veins?
The sole of the foot..? Doctor, may I ask why there are more and more fine purple blood vessels on the soles of my feet? Could it be varicose veins? I already have this issue in my calves.
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
"Foot sole"? How could it be on the foot sole? Your skin should be very fair! However, you can rest assured that, in principle, varicose veins refer to the obstruction of the valves in the deep veins from the calf to the thigh, leading to impaired venous return and dila...[Read More] Understanding Purple Veins on the Feet: Is It Varicose Veins?
Managing Nail Bruises: When to Seek Surgical Care After Injury
The nail was pinched by a metal plate, resulting in a bruise? Hello, doctor: Today, I accidentally pinched my fingernail with a metal plate at work. There is bruising under the nail that appears dark blue, and I am experiencing mild throbbing pain. Should I seek immediate surgica...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
1. If the nail is lifted, a nail removal surgery is required (along with an examination for any lacerations in the nail bed). 2. If the nail can be preserved, only bloodletting (using a sterilized needle for decompression) is necessary. 3. The nail will grow back, but close monit...[Read More] Managing Nail Bruises: When to Seek Surgical Care After Injury
Understanding Facial Changes and Ear Ringing: When to Seek Surgical Help
Facial Issues I would like to ask, my mother said her face and mouth don't look the same as before. When she opens her mouth, she has been experiencing a buzzing sound in her ears for the past few days. Can you tell me what this might be? Is it a specific condition? Should s...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
It is possible that you have 1. facial nerve paralysis (inability to close the eyelid, drooping of the mouth corner, facial stiffness, etc.), or 2. temporomandibular joint injury (from chewing tough foods or gum). Additionally, 3. a cold could also be a possibility. It is recomme...[Read More] Understanding Facial Changes and Ear Ringing: When to Seek Surgical Help
Surgical Options for Muscle Fibrosis: Addressing Neck and Shoulder Issues
Muscle fibrosis When one side of the muscle undergoes fibrosis, that side becomes hard and shortened, causing the head to tilt toward that side while the chin deviates to the opposite side. I have seen online treatment options for torticollis, which include cutting or partially e...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
When muscle fibers become fibrotic, they become contracted and lose elasticity, leading to a feeling of tightness. If the limitation in movement is severe, surgical intervention (such as tendon release) may be considered. Since you are still young, with consistent local massage a...[Read More] Surgical Options for Muscle Fibrosis: Addressing Neck and Shoulder Issues
Managing Neurological Issues: Weight Loss and Alternatives to Surgery
Neurological medical issues? Dear Dr. Chen, I would like to ask for your advice. My mother has been experiencing compression of the nerves due to issues with her fifth lumbar vertebra and first sacral vertebra, resulting in an inability to stand or sit for extended periods with ...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
1. Weight loss can help improve localized pressure conditions (in the buttocks), but it is not something that can be achieved overnight and can be quite challenging. 2. Based on your description, your mother likely has left-sided sciatica and lumbar tendon pain. It would be advis...[Read More] Managing Neurological Issues: Weight Loss and Alternatives to Surgery
Concerns About Soft Lumps and Pain: When to Seek Medical Advice?
There is a concerning issue..? Hello Dr. Chen, I have a concerning issue I would like to ask about... My mother has recently developed soft, movable lumps in her lower back over the past month or two, but they are not painful (although her lower back does feel sore)... Additional...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
1. Patients with general low back pain, especially those over 50 years old, often have slightly raised soft nodules upon palpation, which are indicative of tendon sheath enlargement and are benign, requiring no treatment. 2. Morning foot numbness and cramps are likely related to ...[Read More] Concerns About Soft Lumps and Pain: When to Seek Medical Advice?
Understanding Hydrocephalus: Seeking Help for Your Child's Condition
Hydrocephalus Hello Dr. Chen, I live in Kaohsiung. My youngest son just turned one year old. When he was about six months old, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and underwent surgery at Kaohsiung Medical University to have a shunt placed. Since then, he has experienced recurren...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Hello Mei: I apologize for the delayed response. The prognosis of hydrocephalus depends on the underlying cause (such as malformations, cysts, brain tumors, aqueductal stenosis, or congenital hydrocephalus). Drainage surgery is necessary, and a medical center with neurosurgery ca...[Read More] Understanding Hydrocephalus: Seeking Help for Your Child's Condition
Understanding Joint Pain: Causes, Treatments, and When to Seek Help
Joint pain Dear Dr. Chen, About two weeks ago, I experienced pain and numbness in my spine, and my entire right leg felt tingly. After seeking medical attention, an X-ray revealed inflammation in the pelvic region and spine. I was prescribed prednisolone for two weeks, which imp...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Based on your description, it is advisable to consider the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis. I recommend consulting a rheumatologist for further evaluation.[Read More] Understanding Joint Pain: Causes, Treatments, and When to Seek Help
Understanding Varicose Veins: Laser Treatment Options and Resources
Varicose veins Due to my mother's severe varicose veins, there was a recent news report stating that some hospitals will offer outpatient laser treatment. I wonder if the doctor knows which hospitals are providing this service, or where I can more easily find related informa...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Hello, you can inquire about laser treatment for varicose veins at a nearby medical center. The cost is out-of-pocket, approximately 20,000 to 50,000 TWD.[Read More] Understanding Varicose Veins: Laser Treatment Options and Resources
Understanding Lipomas: Diagnosis, Risks, and When to Seek Treatment
Lipoma Hello, Doctor. Recently, I discovered an unknown lump on the back of my thigh, approximately 3 centimeters in size. It does not move, and pressing it firmly causes pain. I went to the hospital for a consultation, and the doctor diagnosed it as a lipoma through palpation. H...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Hello Kimo: Lipomas are generally benign, and malignant transformation is quite rare. A tumor that is three centimeters can be considered for surgical removal; if it is larger, there is a higher risk of adhesion and bleeding. Additionally, you may consider sending it for patholog...[Read More] Understanding Lipomas: Diagnosis, Risks, and When to Seek Treatment
Understanding Lumbar Disc Herniation: Treatment Options and Surgical Considerations
Herniated disc Dear Doctor: In March of this year, I injured my lower back while playing basketball (I am currently 25 years old). Since then, I have been unable to put weight on my left leg, which shakes when I stand. My lower back is extremely painful, and I need to hold onto s...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Hello: If a herniated disc has not absorbed after six months and symptoms persist (such as numbness, pain, and mobility issues), surgical intervention should be considered. Currently, endoscopic surgery is well-established and successful. Many medical centers have experienced neu...[Read More] Understanding Lumbar Disc Herniation: Treatment Options and Surgical Considerations
Should You Get a Rabies Vaccine After a Cat Bite? Expert Advice
Rabies Last night, I accidentally stepped on a wild cat downstairs and got bitten. Although I was wearing long pants and they didn't tear, there are small wounds (two small puncture marks resembling vampire bites). I'm unsure if I should get a rabies vaccine. The wound ...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Dear Mr. Lian, 1. Taiwan has been rabies-free for 40 years, and the only potential sources of the virus would be from foreign visitors or animals. 2. The incubation period for rabies is approximately 2 weeks to 2 months. If symptoms develop, they may include neurological signs (...[Read More] Should You Get a Rabies Vaccine After a Cat Bite? Expert Advice
Is It a Lipoma? Understanding Your Leg Lump Concerns
Is it a lipoma? About a year or two ago, I accidentally discovered a protruding lump near the back of my right thigh close to my buttocks. It is painless and does not itch. At first, I thought it might be a lipoma, so I didn't pay much attention to it. Recently, I remembered...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Hello, Ashin: A painless and non-itchy lump in the buttock may be due to 1. lipoma 2. fibroma 3. epidermoid cyst 4. sebaceous adenoma. Clinically and pathologically, these are mostly benign. If you feel concerned, please visit a surgical outpatient clinic for further evaluation. ...[Read More] Is It a Lipoma? Understanding Your Leg Lump Concerns
Should I Get Tetanus or Rabies Shots After a Dog Bite?
Rabies I was bitten by a puppy. Although I was wearing long pants and they didn't tear, I have a scrape. I'm unsure if I should get a tetanus shot or rabies vaccine.
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Hello IVY: 1. Taiwan has been a rabies-free zone since 1961, and animals do not carry the virus. 2. If bitten by a regular dog, one only needs to be concerned about wound infection and healing issues. 3. Unless the puppy has just been imported from abroad, it is unlikely to be a ...[Read More] Should I Get Tetanus or Rabies Shots After a Dog Bite?
Understanding Ingrown Toenails: Causes and Solutions
Nail problems of the toes? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask why my toenails regularly get trimmed, yet I still experience ingrown toenails. A few months ago, I had my right big toe treated at the hospital, but recently I've been experiencing pain in my left big toe again, ...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
This condition is called paronychia, which refers to the redness, swelling, pus formation, and pain on both sides of the fingernails and toenails. It occurs due to excessive trimming that damages the epithelial tissue, causing the nail to grow inward while simultaneously destroyi...[Read More] Understanding Ingrown Toenails: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Gynecomastia: Treatment Options and Costs Explained
What are the medical treatments and costs for gynecomastia in males? I may have gynecomastia and would like to inquire about the medical options and the approximate costs. Additionally, if I undergo surgery, will I be able to return to work the next day, or will I need to rest fo...
Dr. Chen Junxing reply Surgery
Gynecomastia in males usually does not require surgery. Treatment options should be determined after a thorough examination at the hospital. You may visit a general surgery department or a specialized breast clinic for consultation.[Read More] Understanding Gynecomastia: Treatment Options and Costs Explained