DAY: DAY: MAY 11, 2024

• 5-11-2024WHY DANCING IN SYNC BRINGS US CLOSER TOGETHER Silent discos started back in the 1970s as a convenient way to get around noise restrictions. In those days that meant everyone bringing their own music loaded onto a Walkman. Later, DJs would set up their own radio channels to allow everyone to listen to the same playlist. These events gained popularity in the early 2000s, when music festivals began to host silent gigs with lots of artists streaming on different channels. At a regular disco or nightclub, everybody experiences dancing together in time to the same music.
• 5-11-2024HOW DO EMOTIONS HELP CONSTRUCT OUR CULTURAL IDENTITY IN MUSIC FESTIVALS? 2022 was a record year for music festivals in Spain, hitting historic highs just two years after the entire country was locked down due to the pandemic. Spain boasts close to a thousand music festivals and a live music industry that earned 459 million euros in ticket revenue alone in 2022. This is almost 200% more than the previous year,
• 5-11-2024WHY DO METAPHORS OF SPACE HELP US UNDERSTAND TIME? Space-time projections, ego-moving perspective. Expressions linking space to time are a common part of our day to day lives. You might say the morning “flew by,” or that school exams are “fast approaching.” Right now, you might say summer is “just around the corner,” while anyone with the vaguest awareness of Game of Thrones will have heard the phrase “winter is coming.”
• 5-11-2024THERE ARE NO GOOD OR BAD OIL CROPS, ONLY GOOD AND BAD PRACTICES There are no good or bad oil crops. Credit: Borneo Futures When shopping, have you considered the social and environmental impacts of your vegetable oil purchases? Most products offer limited information on these effects. Labels like “No Palm Oil”—linked to environmental damage and threats to orangutans—or “Fair-trade” are familiar, but many ingredients go unmentioned. How reliable are these claims, and what unseen impacts are we responsible for with our choices?
• 5-11-2024ART-BASED APPROACHES CAN ENCOURAGE FRESH PERSPECTIVES ON THE FUTURE Art can contribute to futures thinking in various ways, such as inspiring alternative futures through mediums like science fiction in films and literature, encapsulating future scenarios through artistic illustrations, and posing thought-provoking questions that challenge our perceptions and understanding of the future. As a multidisciplinary field, futures research borrows approaches from different disciplines. However, it often ignores the potential of the arts on a large scale, even though the arts embrace creativity and often depict and narrate imagined futures.
• 5-11-2024‘DOING YOUR OWN RESEARCH’ CAN MAKE FAKE NEWS SEEM BELIEVABLE While it’s healthy to question what we see and hear in the media, those quick internet searches to fact-check news stories can unexpectedly backfire and lead people to believe false stories, according to the director of the University of Oregon’s undergraduate journalism program. As more people tune into the press for the upcoming election cycle
• 5-11-2024CONTRADICTORY THOUGHTS LEAD TO MORE MODERATE ATTITUDES, PSYCHOLOGISTS FIND Researchers present rhetorical tools that can help to reduce the polarization of discussions. When discussing controversial issues such as migration or measures against global warming, strongly opposing positions often clash and discussions become emotional. The polarization that can be found here is primarily driven by people with extreme attitudes.
• 5-11-2024CAN SCIENCE EXPLAIN WHY COUPLES BREAK UP? THE MATHEMATICAL ANATOMY OF A FALL French director Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall,” winner of the 2023 Oscar for best original script, reconstructs a fatal fall in order to dissect the collapse of the romantic relationship between the film’s leading couple, Sandra Voyter and Samuel Maleski. Far from an exception, breakups of the sort depicted in the film are commonplace: global data shows high levels of marriage failure, with a marked increase towards the end of the last century.
• 5-11-2024WHEN CHOOSING CO-FOUNDERS, ENTREPRENEURS HAVE A GENDER GAP One of the most important decisions an entrepreneur can make when launching a business is choosing the right co-founder. Should compatible personalities guide the choice? Or should the priority be someone who brings resources to the startup? How do entrepreneurs make this decision if they must choose between these two options? New research from Texas McCombs finds there’s a gender gap in making this choice.
• 5-11-2024COMPASSION DOESN’T HELP ALL COUPLES, FINDS STUDY More compassion = a better relationship. This is an obvious rule of thumb for couples. But it doesn’t apply to everyone, as a study shows. Some people prefer to do without it. Whether irrevocably estranged or merely bored with the daily routine: “Couples counseling can improve communication and the quality of the relationship. And it has a positive effect on mental health
• 5-11-2024WOMEN IN RICH COUNTRIES ARE HAVING FEWER KIDS, OR NONE AT ALL. WHAT’S GOING ON? A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows US fertility rates dropped 2% in 2023. With the exception of a temporary increase in the fertility rate at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US fertility rate has been falling steadily since 1971. Australia exhibits a similar pattern. Fertility has declined since 2007 despite government attempts to invest in a “baby bonus” to encourage women to have more children. Taking a more global perspective, we can see similar patterns across other industrial nations: Japan,
• 5-11-2024RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NEW AI TOOL FOR FAST AND PRECISE TISSUE ANALYSIS TO SUPPORT DRUG DISCOVERY AND DIAGNOSTICS A team of scientists from A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and Bioinformatics Institute (BII) has developed a new AI software tool called “BANKSY” that automatically recognizes the cell types present in a tissue, such as muscle cells, nerve cells, and fat cells. Going a step beyond conventional AI tools, which can group cells together into clusters if they contain similar molecules
• 5-11-2024STUDY SHEDS LIGHT ON CANCER CELL ‘TUG-OF-WAR’ Two malignant mixed mullerian tumor explants on collagen network. Both tumor pieces adhered to the collagen network and started pulling on the collagen fibers, which prompted extensive collagen displacements and alignments, alongside cell escape of cells with a dominant stress fiber-based contractility. The sharp and smooth boundary structure of both pieces further indicates a strong tissue surface tension that hinders cell escape for cells with a dominant cortical contractility.
• 5-11-2024STUDY UNDERSCORES NEW STRATEGIES TO FIGHT DRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA
• 5-11-2024BIG DATA HELPS DETERMINE WHAT DRIVES DISEASE RISK
• 5-11-2024NEW STUDY POINTS TO STOCHASTIC CHANGES IN CELLS
• 5-11-2024CHANGES IN PIG FARMING IN THE 20TH CENTURY SPREAD ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT SALMONELLA AROUND THE WORLD, FINDS STUDY
• 5-11-2024HOW CLIMATE CHANGE WILL AFFECT MALARIA TRANSMISSION
• 5-11-2024TEAM DEVELOPS TECHNOLOGY FOR PRODUCING BIOPLASTICS FROM AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD BYPRODUCTS
• 5-11-2024STUDY DISCOVERS CELLULAR ACTIVITY THAT HINTS RECYCLING IS IN OUR DNA
• 5-11-2024WANT TO SHOW TEACHERS APPRECIATION? THIS TOP SCHOOL GIVES THEM MORE FREEDOM
• 5-11-2024HOW LIKELY ARE ENGLISH LEARNERS TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL? STUDY SHOWS IT DEPENDS ON RACE, GENDER AND INCOME
• 5-11-2024SELF-CRITICAL PERFECTIONISM GNAWS ON STUDENTS’ WELL-BEING ALREADY IN LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL, SAYS STUDY
• 5-11-2024STUDY EXPLORES WHETHER PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL WILL HELP WITH WORK ENGAGEMENT IN TOUGH MOMENTS
• 5-11-2024NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE REPORTING
• 5-11-2024EXPELLING STUDENTS FOR BAD BEHAVIOR SEEMS LIKE THE OBVIOUS SOLUTION, BUT IS IT REALLY A GOOD IDEA?
• 5-11-2024RESEARCHER ANALYZES 3,356 SIGNS TO SEE HOW LANGUAGE USE IS CHANGING IN THREE LATINO NEIGHBORHOODS IN PHILLY
• 5-11-2024WHO ARE THE IMMIGRANTS COMING TO THE US ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS, AND HOW CAN THEY BE SUPPORTED?
• 5-11-2024STUDY SHOWS FEMALE GAMERS ONLY LABEL HALF OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT INCIDENTS THEY EXPERIENCE AS SUCH
• 5-11-2024RISING KNIFE CRIME IN LONDON IS LINKED TO AUSTERITY CUTS TO YOUTH SERVICES—HERE’S THE EVIDENCE
• 5-11-2024USING AI TO PREDICT GRADE POINT AVERAGE FROM COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS
• 5-11-2024DISADVANTAGED ENTREPRENEURS OFTEN FEAR SUCCESS, BUT NEW RESEARCH CAN HELP
• 5-11-2024FEW TENURE-TRACK JOBS FOR ENGINEERING PH.D.S, STUDY FINDS
• 5-11-2024RESEARCHERS SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS TO CONSTRUCT A COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE
• 5-11-2024HOW TO TELL IF A CONSPIRACY THEORY IS PROBABLY FALSE
• 5-11-2024AN ANALYSIS OF SECURITY IN RELATION TO THE VALUES OF WELL-BEING, FREEDOM AND EQUALITY
• 5-11-2024CONSUMERS REPORT SIGNIFICANT RISE IN DIET SATISFACTION SINCE JANUARY
• 5-11-2024THE SPREAD OF MISINFORMATION VARIES BY TOPIC AND BY COUNTRY IN EUROPE, STUDY FINDS
• 5-11-2024I INTERVIEWED MOMS WITH FIVE OR MORE KIDS—WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT WOMEN WHO ARE QUIETLY GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN
• 5-11-2024ANALYSIS OF MILLIONS OF POSTS SHOWS THAT USERS SEEK OUT ECHO CHAMBERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
• 5-11-2024HONG KONG UNIVERSITY TESTS AI PROFESSORS
• 5-11-2024EXTREME VIEWS ABOUT WOMEN ARE INFILTRATING AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS—WE NEED A ZERO-TOLERANCE RESPONSE
• 5-11-2024GROWTH MINDSET TEACHING HELPS STUDENTS MAKE THE GRADE
• 5-11-2024WORKER RIGHTS ARE ONE OF THE LEAST PROTECTED HUMAN RIGHTS, NEW RESEARCH REVEALS
• 5-11-2024DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU BELONG AT WORK? HERE’S WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT FOR YOUR HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND PRODUCTIVITY
• 5-11-2024RESEARCHER EXPOSES CHILD LABOR TRAFFICKING AS A HIDDEN CRIME AFTER INVESTIGATING 132 VICTIMS
• 5-11-2024AI KNOWLEDGE GETS YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR FOR JOB INTERVIEWS, SAYS STUDY
• 5-11-2024STUDY EXPLORES EFFECTS OF OVERSEAS BUSINESS ACTIVITY THROUGH EXPERIENCES OF EXPATRIATES
• 5-11-2024STUDY IDENTIFIES LARGE INTEREST GAPS IN US LABOR MARKET
• 5-11-2024STUDY SHOWS AI CONVERSATIONAL AGENTS CAN HELP REDUCE INTERETHNIC PREJUDICE DURING ONLINE INTERACTIONS

MAY 11, 2024

• 5-11-2024WHY DANCING IN SYNC BRINGS US CLOSER TOGETHER
• 5-11-2024HOW DO EMOTIONS HELP CONSTRUCT OUR CULTURAL IDENTITY IN MUSIC FESTIVALS?
• 5-11-2024WHY DO METAPHORS OF SPACE HELP US UNDERSTAND TIME?
• 5-11-2024THERE ARE NO GOOD OR BAD OIL CROPS, ONLY GOOD AND BAD PRACTICES
• 5-11-2024ART-BASED APPROACHES CAN ENCOURAGE FRESH PERSPECTIVES ON THE FUTURE
• 5-11-2024‘DOING YOUR OWN RESEARCH’ CAN MAKE FAKE NEWS SEEM BELIEVABLE
• 5-11-2024CONTRADICTORY THOUGHTS LEAD TO MORE MODERATE ATTITUDES, PSYCHOLOGISTS FIND
• 5-11-2024CAN SCIENCE EXPLAIN WHY COUPLES BREAK UP? THE MATHEMATICAL ANATOMY OF A FALL
• 5-11-2024WHEN CHOOSING CO-FOUNDERS, ENTREPRENEURS HAVE A GENDER GAP
• 5-11-2024COMPASSION DOESN’T HELP ALL COUPLES, FINDS STUDY
• 5-11-2024WOMEN IN RICH COUNTRIES ARE HAVING FEWER KIDS, OR NONE AT ALL. WHAT’S GOING ON?
• 5-11-2024RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NEW AI TOOL FOR FAST AND PRECISE TISSUE ANALYSIS TO SUPPORT DRUG DISCOVERY AND DIAGNOSTICS
• 5-11-2024STUDY SHEDS LIGHT ON CANCER CELL ‘TUG-OF-WAR’
• 5-11-2024STUDY UNDERSCORES NEW STRATEGIES TO FIGHT DRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA
• 5-11-2024BIG DATA HELPS DETERMINE WHAT DRIVES DISEASE RISK
• 5-11-2024NEW STUDY POINTS TO STOCHASTIC CHANGES IN CELLS
• 5-11-2024CHANGES IN PIG FARMING IN THE 20TH CENTURY SPREAD ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT SALMONELLA AROUND THE WORLD, FINDS STUDY
• 5-11-2024HOW CLIMATE CHANGE WILL AFFECT MALARIA TRANSMISSION
• 5-11-2024TEAM DEVELOPS TECHNOLOGY FOR PRODUCING BIOPLASTICS FROM AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD BYPRODUCTS
• 5-11-2024STUDY DISCOVERS CELLULAR ACTIVITY THAT HINTS RECYCLING IS IN OUR DNA
• 5-11-2024WANT TO SHOW TEACHERS APPRECIATION? THIS TOP SCHOOL GIVES THEM MORE FREEDOM
• 5-11-2024HOW LIKELY ARE ENGLISH LEARNERS TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL? STUDY SHOWS IT DEPENDS ON RACE, GENDER AND INCOME
• 5-11-2024SELF-CRITICAL PERFECTIONISM GNAWS ON STUDENTS’ WELL-BEING ALREADY IN LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL, SAYS STUDY
• 5-11-2024STUDY EXPLORES WHETHER PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL WILL HELP WITH WORK ENGAGEMENT IN TOUGH MOMENTS
• 5-11-2024NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE REPORTING
• 5-11-2024EXPELLING STUDENTS FOR BAD BEHAVIOR SEEMS LIKE THE OBVIOUS SOLUTION, BUT IS IT REALLY A GOOD IDEA?
• 5-11-2024RESEARCHER ANALYZES 3,356 SIGNS TO SEE HOW LANGUAGE USE IS CHANGING IN THREE LATINO NEIGHBORHOODS IN PHILLY
• 5-11-2024WHO ARE THE IMMIGRANTS COMING TO THE US ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS, AND HOW CAN THEY BE SUPPORTED?
• 5-11-2024STUDY SHOWS FEMALE GAMERS ONLY LABEL HALF OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT INCIDENTS THEY EXPERIENCE AS SUCH
• 5-11-2024RISING KNIFE CRIME IN LONDON IS LINKED TO AUSTERITY CUTS TO YOUTH SERVICES—HERE’S THE EVIDENCE
• 5-11-2024USING AI TO PREDICT GRADE POINT AVERAGE FROM COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS
• 5-11-2024DISADVANTAGED ENTREPRENEURS OFTEN FEAR SUCCESS, BUT NEW RESEARCH CAN HELP
• 5-11-2024FEW TENURE-TRACK JOBS FOR ENGINEERING PH.D.S, STUDY FINDS
• 5-11-2024RESEARCHERS SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS TO CONSTRUCT A COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE
• 5-11-2024HOW TO TELL IF A CONSPIRACY THEORY IS PROBABLY FALSE
• 5-11-2024AN ANALYSIS OF SECURITY IN RELATION TO THE VALUES OF WELL-BEING, FREEDOM AND EQUALITY
• 5-11-2024CONSUMERS REPORT SIGNIFICANT RISE IN DIET SATISFACTION SINCE JANUARY
• 5-11-2024THE SPREAD OF MISINFORMATION VARIES BY TOPIC AND BY COUNTRY IN EUROPE, STUDY FINDS
• 5-11-2024I INTERVIEWED MOMS WITH FIVE OR MORE KIDS—WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT WOMEN WHO ARE QUIETLY GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN
• 5-11-2024ANALYSIS OF MILLIONS OF POSTS SHOWS THAT USERS SEEK OUT ECHO CHAMBERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
• 5-11-2024HONG KONG UNIVERSITY TESTS AI PROFESSORS
• 5-11-2024EXTREME VIEWS ABOUT WOMEN ARE INFILTRATING AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS—WE NEED A ZERO-TOLERANCE RESPONSE
• 5-11-2024GROWTH MINDSET TEACHING HELPS STUDENTS MAKE THE GRADE
• 5-11-2024WORKER RIGHTS ARE ONE OF THE LEAST PROTECTED HUMAN RIGHTS, NEW RESEARCH REVEALS
• 5-11-2024DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU BELONG AT WORK? HERE’S WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT FOR YOUR HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND PRODUCTIVITY
• 5-11-2024RESEARCHER EXPOSES CHILD LABOR TRAFFICKING AS A HIDDEN CRIME AFTER INVESTIGATING 132 VICTIMS
• 5-11-2024AI KNOWLEDGE GETS YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR FOR JOB INTERVIEWS, SAYS STUDY
• 5-11-2024STUDY EXPLORES EFFECTS OF OVERSEAS BUSINESS ACTIVITY THROUGH EXPERIENCES OF EXPATRIATES
• 5-11-2024STUDY IDENTIFIES LARGE INTEREST GAPS IN US LABOR MARKET
• 5-11-2024STUDY SHOWS AI CONVERSATIONAL AGENTS CAN HELP REDUCE INTERETHNIC PREJUDICE DURING ONLINE INTERACTIONS

24F, Non-smokesocial drinker, 5’3, 250LBs, and recently found out I am 5 weeks pregnant. Dx of IIH (previously treated with Lasix (told to stop due to pregnancy) Gerd (sort of under control no medication) I experience health anxiety (currently in therapy)
I had a CT scan back in the summer of 2023, which accidentally found a potential menigioma vs bone exstosis. I was sent to do a MRI in November (without contrast) and the results from MRI:
The brain is normal morphology. The midline sagittal anatomy is normal. No intraparenchymal or extra-axial hemorrhage. Right frontal extra-axial lesion corresponding to the abnormality on CT scan measures 2.0 x 1.5 x 0.8 cm. This is dural based rather than arising from the calvarium. No other masses are evident. Normal gray-white signal characteristics. No restricted diffusion or suspicious GRE signal. The CSF containing spaces are normal in size and symmetric. The major vascular flow voids are patent and normal. The bones, paranasal sinuses, mastoid air cells, and extracranial soft tissues are normal. Known right frontal mass has imaging features suggestive of a calcified meningioma. This does not arise from the calvarium.
I was told by my doctor and neurologist that it’s nothing to worry about and it’s benign.
I have been experiencing lightheadness (not dizzy but feeling faint and facial tingles) and an increase in headaches since February. I thought it was related to my gut because I noticed most light headness with not eating, while eating, and once my food tried to digest. My GI doctor basically said she’s never heard of this and shrugged me off. The lightheadness is getting worse and I’m just trying understand if it’s possible that the finding from the November MRI is related to me feeling faint (never passing out) and the headaches? I would look it up myself but as someone with health anxiety I’d like to save myself from the panic that comes from Dr. Google. Is any trusted medical professional able to weigh in? Thank you
I’ve had an eeg, two brain mri’s (no contrast), metabolically my labs are fine (one low Co2 reading), a gastric emptying study, a carotid ultrasound, 2 Holter monitors, a stress test, ekg, and a tilt table test…all have come back normal—-aside from being told I’m overweight, pre-hypertensive, and the benign(?) calcified menigioma…I’m honestly worried

Hi All!
Some backstory, apologies for the long post!
35yr Female - On and off issues weakness/discomfort with my left arm and leg since 2019. A previous MRI showed the following:
2020 Lumbar Spine
Findings: No evidence of acute compression fracture. Multilevel trace retrolisthesis. Small L5-S1 disc with normal signal intensity likely developmental variant related to somewhat transitional spinal anatomy (L5 appears mildly partially sacralized). Disc heights and signal otherwise essentially intact. Multilevel mild facet joint hypertrophy
Unremarkable conus ends at L1.
L1-2: Unremarkable.
L2-3: Unremarkable.
L3-4: Minimal disc bulge. Minimal spinal canal stenosis. Mild right neural foraminal stenosis.
L4-5: Mild disc bulge slightly greater right. Mild/moderate spinal canal stenosis. Moderate right neural foraminal stenosis. Mild left neural foraminal stenosis.
L5-S1: Trace disc bulge. Mild spinal canal stenosis. No significant neural foraminal stenosis.
2020 Cervical Spine
Findings: No compression fractures. No prevertebral soft tissue swelling. No significant subluxation.
Mild disc space narrowing at the C5-6 level. Reverse lordotic curvature of the cervical spine.
C2/3: Unremarkable.
C3/4: Unremarkable.
C4/5: Minimal diffuse disc bulge.
C5/6: 2 mm broad-based posterior discogenic osteophyte with associated disc bulge. There is a more focal 4 mm left paracentral disc protrusion which indents the left anterior cervical cord. No significant cord edema. Moderate central canal stenosis. Mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing.
C6/7: Mild posterior discogenic osteophyte.
C7/T1: Unremarkable.
Since 2019, I hadn't really had any severe issues until January 2024. I started having severe burning in both calves and feet; progressed to arms and face. Pins and needles all over my body - and eventually felt like my arms and legs were super heavy. I was initially being treated for Neuropathy and B1 deficiency. I've done a few things on my own and take supplements to help with nerve health. I was eventually sent in for a new set of MRIs and this is what came up:
Cervical MRI (2024) FINDINGS: There is mild reversal of the normal cervical lordosis. The alignment of the cervical spine is anatomic.
Mild degenerative spondylotic changes are present. No acute fracture or aggressive marrow process.
There is mild to moderate discogenic disease at C4-5 and more so at C5-6.
Visualized portions of the brain and the cervical cord are unremarkable. No significant paraspinous soft tissue masses or cyst.
C2-3: No significant disc protrusion, spinal stenosis, or neuroforaminal narrowing
C3-4: No significant disc protrusion, spinal stenosis, or neuroforaminal narrowing
C4-5: Mild focal right paracentral posterior disc protrusion, with mild mass effect upon the right ventral thecal sac and indenting the spinal cord spinal stenosis, but without neuroforaminal narrowing
C5-6: Moderate left paracentral posterior disc protrusion with mass effect upon the left ventral thecal sac and indenting the spinal cord, with mild to moderate spinal stenosis, without neuroforaminal narrowing
C6-7: No significant disc protrusion, spinal stenosis, or neuroforaminal narrowing
C7-T1: No significant disc protrusion, spinal stenosis, or neuroforaminal narrowing
My symptoms have improved a lot since January. Hands and arms no longer feel weak, no longer feel numb from the elbow down. But... I'm still having pins & needle and burning from the knee down for both legs. My right index and pinky finger feel tight and require me to stretch them out frequently. I also have internal tremors around my neck/back area that come up whenever I do too much physically.
My Neurosurgeon is recommending an ACDF of C5-C6; says heck no to a replacement disc after I inquired about it. He said he personally does not like replacements and that he never recommend them. His main concern is paralysis if I don't do the surgery.
I'm waiting to get a copy of my MRI scans; he reviewed them with me over telehealth but the appointment went by so quickly and all he did was tell me about the surgery, what to expect and quickly went over any cons of surgery. He did recommend trying out PT and a cervical traction device if I wanted to; but basically said surgery would be my best option.
My questions are:
Why can't I have a replacement disc instead of Fusion? (I've tried following up with him with questions and he shot them all down)
Since I've been having improvements, should I just skip on surgery and do my best to recover?
For those who had a fusion of C5/C6 how soon before you had to get a second fusion for any adjacent segments?
Am I not understanding my findings and it's more serious than I think?

Hello! I am 23F and have had weird very dull soreness seemingly behind my left breast. So I always always wear a sports bra, even to sleep, and the other day I decided not to wear a bra all day. Well by the evening whenever I was slouched at my computer I started to feel a weird dull soreness by the outer edge of my left boob, kind of where it’s connecting with my shoulder. So if I sat up and stretched my shoulder back, it would relieve it. The actual breast/nipple itself doesn’t feel sore or tender, just the outside.
I’m no anatomy expert so I don’t even know if this is a thing, It feels like the tissue connecting the boob to my chest got stretched and is sore. Its so dull that if I’m up and doing things I forget about it, but if I’m sitting down relaxing I feel it. I started to feel it a little bit on my right boob as well, but left moreso. What in the world is this and has anyone else experienced??? I should also note that this started the day after my predicted ovulation as well. Do I freak out, or is this pretty normal?

Introduction:
Orthopedics, the branch of medicine dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders, plays a crucial role in maintaining mobility, function, and overall well-being. From treating sports injuries to managing degenerative conditions, orthopedic specialists employ a diverse range of techniques to help individuals overcome challenges and regain optimal musculoskeletal health. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the fundamentals of orthopedics, common conditions treated, diagnostic approaches, treatment options, and the importance of proactive care in preserving mobility and preventing injuries.
1. Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Function:
- Bones: The structural framework of the body, bones provide support, protection, and anchorage for muscles and organs.
- Joints: Articulations where bones meet, allowing for movement and flexibility.
- Muscles: Contractile tissues responsible for generating force and facilitating movement.
- Ligaments and Tendons: Connective tissues that stabilize joints and attach muscles to bones, respectively, enabling coordinated movement and function.
2. Common Orthopedic Conditions:
- Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, resulting in pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
- Fractures: Breaks or cracks in bones caused by trauma, accidents, or underlying medical conditions.
- Tendonitis and Bursitis: Inflammation of tendons or bursae (fluid-filled sacs) due to overuse, repetitive motion, or injury, leading to pain and swelling.
- Rotator Cuff Tears: Tears or damage to the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint, often resulting from trauma or repetitive overhead movements.
- Spinal Disorders: Conditions affecting the spine, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis, which can cause pain, numbness, and limitations in mobility.
3. Diagnostic Techniques:
- Imaging Studies: X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, and ultrasound are utilized to visualize bones, joints, and soft tissues, aiding in the diagnosis of orthopedic conditions.
- Physical Examination: Orthopedic specialists conduct thorough physical assessments, evaluating range of motion, strength, stability, and neurological function to identify musculoskeletal abnormalities.
4. Treatment Approaches:
- Non-Surgical Interventions: Conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, medication, bracing, and injections are often recommended for managing orthopedic conditions and injuries.
- Surgical Procedures: When conservative measures fail to provide relief or in cases of severe trauma or degeneration, surgical interventions may be necessary to repair, reconstruct, or replace damaged tissues or joints.
5. Prevention and Rehabilitation:
- Exercise and Conditioning: Regular physical activity, including strength training, flexibility exercises, and cardiovascular workouts, can help maintain musculoskeletal health, improve strength, and reduce the risk of injuries.
- Injury Prevention Strategies: Proper warm-up, technique modification, use of protective gear, and gradual progression in physical activities can minimize the risk of orthopedic injuries.
- Rehabilitation Programs: Following surgery or injury, structured rehabilitation programs guided by physical therapists focus on restoring mobility, strength, and function, facilitating a safe return to daily activities and sports.
Conclusion:
Orthopedics encompasses a vast spectrum of conditions and treatments aimed at preserving and restoring musculoskeletal health. By understanding the principles of orthopedic care, recognizing the importance of early intervention, and embracing proactive measures for prevention and rehabilitation, individuals can optimize their mobility, function, and overall quality of life. Whether seeking treatment for an injury, managing a chronic condition, or striving for peak performance, orthopedic specialists stand ready to support and guide individuals on their journey to musculoskeletal wellness

Introduction:
Orthopedics is a specialized branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders and injuries related to the musculoskeletal system. This intricate system comprises bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves, which work together to provide structure, support, and mobility to the body. In this guide, we’ll delve into the diverse field of orthopedics, exploring its key components, common conditions treated, diagnostic techniques, treatment options, and the role of orthopedic specialists in restoring musculoskeletal health.
1. Anatomy of the Musculoskeletal System:
- Bones: The framework of the body, bones provide structural support, protect vital organs, and serve as attachment points for muscles.
- Joints: These articulations allow for movement between bones, facilitating activities such as bending, rotating, and flexing.
- Ligaments: Tough bands of connective tissue that stabilize and reinforce joints, preventing excessive movement and reducing the risk of injuries.
- Muscles: Contractile tissues responsible for generating movement by pulling on bones through tendons.
- Tendons: Fibrous cords that attach muscles to bones, transmitting the force generated by muscle contractions to produce movement.
2. Common Orthopedic Conditions:
- Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, resulting in pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
- Fractures: Breaks or cracks in bones caused by trauma, overuse, or underlying medical conditions.
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons due to repetitive motion, overuse, or sudden injury, resulting in pain and swelling.
- Sprains and Strains: Injuries to ligaments (sprains) or muscles and tendons (strains) caused by stretching or tearing due to sudden twists, falls, or overexertion.
- Herniated Disc: A condition in which the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc protrudes through a crack in the tough outer layer, causing nerve compression and symptoms such as back pain and numbness.
3. Diagnostic Techniques:
-Imaging Studies: X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound are commonly used to visualize bones, joints, and soft tissues, allowing for the accurate diagnosis of orthopedic conditions.
- Physical Examination: Orthopedic specialists perform thorough physical assessments, evaluating range of motion, strength, stability, and neurological function to identify musculoskeletal abnormalities.
4. Treatment Options:
- Non-Surgical Approaches: Conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, medication, bracing, and joint injections are often recommended for managing orthopedic conditions and injuries.
- Surgical Interventions: When conservative measures fail to alleviate symptoms or in cases of severe trauma or degenerative conditions, surgical procedures may be necessary to repair, reconstruct, or replace damaged tissues or joints.
5. Role of Orthopedic Specialists:
- Orthopedic Surgeons: Highly trained physicians specializing in surgical interventions for musculoskeletal conditions, ranging from arthroscopic procedures to joint replacement surgery.
- Sports Medicine Physicians: Experts in the treatment of sports-related injuries and conditions, focusing on maximizing athletic performance and promoting safe return to activity.
- Physical Therapists: Allied healthcare professionals who design customized exercise programs and rehabilitation protocols to improve mobility, strength, and function following orthopedic injuries or surgeries.
Conclusion:
Orthopedics plays a pivotal role in diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, enabling individuals to regain function, alleviate pain, and enhance their quality of life. With advances in medical technology, innovative treatment modalities, and multidisciplinary approaches, orthopedic specialists continue to strive towards optimizing outcomes and restoring musculoskeletal health for patients of all ages and backgrounds.

29F, 5’ 4” Relevant diagnoses: dorsal avulsion fracture from distal talus / split tear in the peroneal brevis tendon and mild tenosynovitis of the peroneal tendons just below the lateral malleolus Medications: not relevant to the current concern
Experiences with a Peroneal brevis tendon split tear? I have so much respect for doctors, but I’m second guessing everything at this point
Ok, I apologize in advance this requires a fair amount of background information.
Now just for context: I am NOT a doctor, but was in the medical field and worked in an urgent care for 7 years before this. I have some foundational knowledge on anatomy, injuries, and breaks/fractures/etc. So my opinions on my potential injuries wasn’t just Dr. Google, but I completely understand that the doctors know more than me and trusted them for accurate diagnoses and treatment.
8 months ago I was carrying some boxes out to my recycling bin, there are 3 steps going into my garage and as I turned to close the door behind me I went to walk forward and missed a step and ended up falling down the last 2 steps and landed on my ankle. I INSTANTLY knew I had done some serious damage. Now, I know it’s very subjective, but I think I have a pretty high pain tolerance, I had just recently had a baby unmedicated and this pain was excruciating in comparison. I couldn’t make the slightest movements without stabbing pain shooting through my foot and leg. In fact, it was too much effort to stand and I ended up crawling up the stairs at a snails pace and slowly slid myself across the floor until I could reach my bedroom and honestly felt like I was going into shock for the first hour. But not wanting the pay the exorbitant fees of the ER, and having a sleeping toddler, I decided to attempt to sleep it off and go for an X-ray the next morning.
A lot happened after that but in an effort to keep this somewhat short I will just give the highlights:
I went to the urgent care, they didn’t believe me and told me I was “too calm” to have a fracture (they should have seen me when it happened…). The x-ray tech. was very rude and told me “I’m just gonna have to come hurt you if you can’t figure it out” when I tried to have her more clearly explain how to position my foot. They didn’t see anything on the x-ray and told me to just try to stay off my foot and use crutches if it REALLY hurts. I told them that with a toddler that wasn’t really a feasible option for me and asked if a walking boot would be a possibility. In a condescending tone I was told I didn’t need one but could buy one on my own. About 6 hours later they called to tell me the radiologist actually found an avulsion fracture and they offered to sell me a boot. I told them no because I already ordered one for myself.
I then scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic office to follow up 2 weeks later. They were fine overall for the first visit (though I was mildly frustrated I had to pay for x-rays again) and they confirmed I should be in a boot for another 6 weeks. At the next follow up I spent an hour waiting for a 5 minute visit where, again, I felt I wasn’t really taken seriously. I expressed concerns about my severely lacking range of mobility moving my foot side to side. Without even asking me to take the boot off to take a look at my concerns I was told to try a brace for 2 weeks then consider physical therapy if I felt I needed it.
2 weeks later I called and scheduled PT for myself. I did see improvement but i could still barely move my foot side to side. I had a follow up with the orthopedic doctor and told him I was concerned about more extensive soft tissue damage and potential tendon damage but was told to just keep going to PT as long as it is helpful.
I did PT for 2 1/2 months until I felt we had plateaued and when I asked what more I could do for mobility I was told “the tendon is probably stretched so that would only be fixed with surgery” At that point we hit the holidays and the office was closed for a few weeks, I decided to just continue the exercises on my own. Maybe it was my fault for misinterpreting it, but I felt like that statement meant “this is as good as it’s going to get” so I might as well save money and do it on my own since the doctor told me to only go as long as it seemed helpful. For a few months things were fine but then the pain started increasing again and mobility started declining.
This time I went to a foot and ankle specialist. After more x-rays i Peroneal Brevis Tendon Split Tear Recover? I’m just getting so frustrated and don’t know if I need to fight for a more aggressive approach.
Experiences with a Peroneal brevis tendon split tear? I have so much respect for doctors, but I’m second guessing everything at this point
Ok, I apologize in advance this requires a fair amount of background information.
Now just for context: I am NOT a doctor, but was in the medical field and worked in an urgent care for 7 years before this. I have some foundational knowledge on anatomy, injuries, and breaks/fractures/etc. So my opinions on my potential injuries wasn’t just Dr. Google, but I completely understand that the doctors know more than me.
8 months ago I was carrying some boxes out to my recycling bin, there are 3 steps going into my garage and as I turned to close the door behind me I went to walk forward and missed a step and ended up falling down the last 2 steps and landed on my ankle. I INSTANTLY knew I had done some serious damage. Now, I know it’s very subjective, but I think I have a pretty high pain tolerance, I had just recently had a baby unmedicated and this pain was excruciating in comparison. I couldn’t make the slightest movements without stabbing pain shooting through my foot and leg. In fact, it was too much effort to stand and I ended up crawling up the stairs at a snails pace and slowly slid myself across the floor until I could reach my bedroom and honestly felt like I was going into shock for the first hour. But not wanting the pay the exorbitant fees of the ER, and having a sleeping toddler, I decided to attempt to sleep it off and go for an X-ray the next morning.
A lot happened after that but in an effort to keep this somewhat short I will just give the highlights:
I went to the urgent care, they didn’t believe me and told me I was “too calm” to have a fracture (they should have seen me when it happened…). The x-ray tech. was very rude and told me “I’m just gonna have to come hurt you if you can’t figure it out” when I tried to have her more clearly explain how to position my foot. They didn’t see anything on the x-ray and told me to just try to stay off my foot and use crutches if it REALLY hurts. I told them that with a toddler that wasn’t really a feasible option for me and asked if a walking boot would be a possibility. In a condescending tone I was told I didn’t need one but could buy one on my own. About 6 hours later they called to tell me they were wrong and the radiologist found an avulsion fracture and they offered to sell me a boot. I told them no because I already ordered one for myself.
I then scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic office to follow up 2 weeks later. They were fine overall for the first visit (though I was mildly irritated they wanted their own x-rays and I had to pay for that again, but understood wanting to make sure nothing was missed) and they confirmed I should be in a boot for another 6 weeks. At the next follow up I spent an hour waiting for a 5 minute visit where, again, I felt I wasn’t really taken seriously. I expressed concerns about my severely lacking range of mobility moving my foot side to side. Without even asking me to take the boot off to take a look at my concerns I was told to try a brace for 2 weeks then consider physical therapy if I felt I needed it.
2 weeks later I called and scheduled PT for myself. I did see improvement but i could still barely move my foot side to side. I had a follow up with the orthopedic doctor and told him I was concerned about more extensive soft tissue damage and potential tendon damage but was told to just keep going to PT as long as it is helpful.
I did PT for 2 1/2 months until I felt we had plateaued and when I asked what more I could do for mobility I was told “the tendon is probably stretched and you may just need surgery” At that point we hit the holidays and the office was closed for a few weeks, I decided to just continue the exercises on my own. For a few months things were fine but then the pain started increasing again and mobility started declining.
This time I went to a foot and ankle specialist. After more x-rays I was told it looks like there is a bone growth on the top of my foot from where the bone was injured and was “attempting to heal”, but because it is an avulsion fracture it couldn’t actual reconnect to the chip of bone that ripped off and instead the growth and the chip are “grinding” together. He suggested a cortisone injection, but to me that feels like just a bandaid fix. He acknowledged it is, but wants to start there. However; this didn’t explain the mobility concerns so I kept pushing until I FINALLY got an MRI ordered and confirmed there is a peroneus brevis split tear.
Now to the ACTUAL point. My doctor is recommending basically just starting over. He wants me in a walking boot for at least 6 weeks before restarting PT. My question is, has anyone had success with a conservative approach this long after the actual injury (after already doing the same things earlier)? Once concern I have is that my insurance will reset in July, so if we inevitably end up at surgery I would rather do it when I’ve already hit my deductible. I just don’t want to do all of this and 6 months later be right back where I started and have to pay for everything again! I am just so frustrated with this entire experience and feel like I’ve had to fight every step of the way to be taken seriously and as much as I want to trust my doctors advice I’m about out of trust, especially when he’s admitted that the plan for the bone issues is just a “bandaid”
I really don’t WANT surgery, but I’m tired of dealing with all these issues and if we are going to end up there anyway I’d rather just get it done with! I’m just exhausted with feeling like I have to fight to be taken seriously every step of the way and don’t know if I need to keep fighting for a more aggressive approach at this point. I have been trying to advocate for myself but I just keep getting pushback and it makes me feel like I’m crazy, I start to doubt myself, but I keep getting confirmation that there is a bigger issue than previously thought, so I’m in a weird place of feeling some sense of validation that I was right about there being a bigger issue, but still doubting myself because I am obviously NOT the expert here. I am just tired of being the one to lead this charge, I want to let someone else take the reins and advise me on what the best next steps are, but my trust is waning.
I’m just hoping for some second opinions on what the healing process looks like for this type of injury and what the chances of a conservative approach are? I was told it looks like there is a bone growth on the top of my foot from where the bone was injured and was “attempting to heal”, but because it is an avulsion fracture it couldn’t actual reconnect to the chip of bone that ripped off and instead the growth and the chip are “grinding” together. He suggested a cortisone injection, but to me that feels like just a bandaid fix. He acknowledged it is, but wants to start there. However; this didn’t explain the mobility concerns so I kept pushing until I FINALLY got an MRI ordered and confirmed there is a peroneus brevis split tear.
Now to the ACTUAL point. My doctor is recommending basically just starting over. He wants me in a walking boot for at least 6 weeks before restarting PT. My question is, has anyone had success with a conservative approach this long after the actual injury (after already doing the same things earlier)? A major concern I have is that my insurance will reset in July, so if we inevitably end up at surgery I would rather do it when I’ve already hit my deductible. I just can’t afford my high deductible again. I don’t want to do all of this and 6 months later be right back where I started and have to pay for everything again! I am just so frustrated with this entire experience and feel like I’ve had to fight every step of the way to be taken seriously and as much as I want to trust my doctors advice I’m about out of trust, especially when he’s admitted that the plan for the bone issues is just a “bandaid.” My understanding is that if I want to actually fix the bone issue that will require surgery. And I’m worried the tendon issue is the same.
I really don’t WANT surgery, but I’m tired of dealing with all these issues and if we are going to end up there anyway I’d rather just get it done with! I’m just exhausted with feeling like I have to fight to be taken seriously every step of the way and don’t know if I need to keep fighting for a more aggressive approach at this point. I have been trying to advocate for myself but I just keep getting pushback and it makes me feel like I’m crazy, I start to doubt myself, but I keep getting confirmation that there are bigger issues than previously thought, so I’m in a weird place of feeling some sense of validation that I was right about there being a bigger issue, but still doubting myself because I am obviously NOT the expert here. I am just tired of being the one to lead this charge, I want to know what the BEST option is moving forward and my trust is waning.
I’m just hoping for some second opinions on what the healing process looks like for this type of injury and what the chances of a conservative approach are? Will the tendon actually repair without surgery? And am I going to end up needing surgery for the bone chip anyway after the cortisone wears off? I just don’t know what to do now.

Ok, I apologize in advance this requires a fair amount of background information.
Now just for context: I am NOT a doctor, but was in the medical field and worked in an urgent care for 7 years before this. I have some foundational knowledge on anatomy, injuries, and breaks/fractures/etc. So my opinions on my potential injuries wasn’t just Dr. Google
8 months ago I was carrying some boxes out to my recycling bin, there are 3 steps going into my garage and as I turned to close the door behind me I went to walk forward and missed a step and ended up falling down the last 2 steps and landed on my ankle. I INSTANTLY knew I had done some serious damage. Now, I know it’s very subjective, but I think I have a pretty high pain tolerance, I had just recently had a baby unmedicated and this pain was excruciating in comparison. I couldn’t make the slightest movements without stabbing pain shooting through my foot and leg. In fact, it was too much effort to stand and I ended up crawling up the stairs at a snails pace and slowly slid myself across the floor until I could reach my bedroom and honestly felt like I was going into shock for the first hour. But not wanting the pay the exorbitant fees of the ER, and having a sleeping toddler, I decided to attempt to sleep it off and go for an X-ray the next morning.
A lot happened after that but in an effort to keep this somewhat short I will just give the highlights:
I went to the urgent care, they didn’t believe me and told me I was “too calm” to have a fracture. The x-ray tech. was very rude and told me “I’m just gonna have to come hurt you if you can’t figure it out” when I tried to have her more clearly explain how to position my foot. They didn’t see anything on the x-ray and told me to just try to stay off my foot and use crutches if it REALLY hurts. I told them that with a toddler that wasn’t really a feasible option for me and asked if a walking boot would be a possibility. In a condescending tone I was told I didn’t need one but could buy one on my own. About 6 hours later they called to tell me they were wrong and the radiologist found an avulsion fracture and they offered to sell me a boot. I told them no because I already ordered one for myself.
I then scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic office to follow up 2 weeks later. They were fine overall for the first visit (though I was mildly irritated they wanted their own x-rays and I had to pay for that again, but understood wanting to make sure nothing was missed) and they confirmed I should be in a boot for another 6 weeks. At the next follow up I spent an hour waiting for a 5 minute visit where, again, I felt I wasn’t really taken seriously. I expressed concerns about my severely lacking range of mobility moving my foot side to side. Without even asking me to take the boot off to take a look at my concerns I was told to try a brace for 2 weeks then consider physical therapy if I felt I needed it.
2 weeks later I called and scheduled PT for myself. I did see improvement but i could still barely move my foot side to side. I had a follow up with the orthopedic doctor and told him I was concerned about more extensive soft tissue damage and potential tendon damage but was told to just keep going to PT as long as it is helpful.
I did PT for 2 1/2 months until I felt we had plateaued and when I asked what more I could do for mobility I was told “the tendon is probably stretched and you may just need surgery” At that point we hit the holidays and the office was closed for a few weeks, I decided to just continue the exercises on my own. For a few months things were fine but then the pain started increasing again and mobility started declining.
This time I went to a foot and ankle specialist. After more x-rays it was determined that there is a bone growth on the top of my foot from where the bone was injured and was “attempting to heal”, but because it is an avulsion fracture it couldn’t actual reconnect to the chip of bone that ripped off and instead the growth and the chip are “grinding” together. He suggested a cortisone injection, but to me that feels like just a bandaid fix. He acknowledged it is, but wants to start there. However; this didn’t explain the mobility concerns so I kept pushing until I FINALLY got an MRI ordered and confirmed there is a peroneus brevis split tear.
Now to the ACTUAL point. My doctor is recommending basically just starting over. He wants me in a walking boot for at least 6 weeks before restarting PT. My question is, has anyone had success with a conservative approach this long after the actual injury (after already doing the same things earlier)? Once concern I have is that my insurance will reset in July, so if we inevitably end up at surgery I would rather do it when I’ve already hit my deductible. I just don’t want to do all of this and 6 months later be right back where I started and have to pay for everything again! I am just so frustrated with this entire experience and feel like I’ve had to fight every step of the way to be taken seriously and as much as I want to trust my doctors advice I’m about out of trust, especially when he’s admitted that the plan for the bone issues is just a “bandaid”
I really don’t WANT surgery, but I’m tired of dealing with all these issues and if we are going to end up there anyway I’d rather just get it done with!
I’m just hoping for some second opinions on what the healing process looks like for this type of injury and what the chances of a conservative approach are?

Hi all. Thanks to the mod team for approving a standalone, the support means a lot.
I'm a bit out of ideas for next steps after our last failed FET of a euploid donor embryo. Any and all thoughts welcome. I've tried to describe this as succinctly as possible below so here goes:
Me: 42F, male partner 44. Diagnosis of endometriosis, no symptoms other than an endometrioma on one ovary. Male factor infertility as well. TTC since 2018.
2 CPs trying on our own.
ER#1 - 2021: resulted in one aneuploid embryo. Poor response to meds, decided to move to donor eggs.
DE cycle #1: created 5 embryos with 26yr old donor eggs and partner's sperm.
FET #1: standard medicated protocol with estrace, prometrium and PIO every third day. Strong initial beta resulting in a slow heartbeat at 7 week ultrasound; no heartbeat at 8 weeks. Took Misoprostol, could not test POC as there was not enough tissue. RE hypothesis was that it was an abnormal embryo, still possible with a young donor.
FET#2: standard medicated protocol exact same as FET #1.
Was started on Synthroid as TSH was over 4 at beta. Was referred to an endocrinologist in a prenatal program at a women's hospital and I'm still seeing them to monitor my TSH.
Pregnancy developed well, no issues on ultrasounds, anatomy scan, NIPT. Sudden stillbirth at 25 weeks, noticed due to lack of fetal movement. Pathology indicated it was due to fetal vascular malperfusion, a placental issue. C-section needed due to placenta previa. Full RPL blood panel was run by the hospital on me and spouse, no clotting or other issues found. MFM thought it might just be an unfortunate one time event.
Switched clinics as my RE had left anyway and the patient care there wasn't great. Moved three remaining embryos to new clinic.
I had been taking 20mg of escitalopram for FET#2. After the stillbirth, this was upped to 25mg, higher than the max dose.
New RE did some tests: EMMA ALICE (normal) Anti phospholipid antibodies (normal) Lupus (normal) SIS to look at c-section scar; it was normal (no fluid, etc)
FET#3 - RE wanted to try ovulatory FET due to linkage between fully medicated FETs and placental issues. Ovulatory FET with trigger and progesterone support and aspirin. No implantation.
FET#4 - ovulatory FET without trigger; progesterone support and aspirin. No implantation.
Hysteroscopy done after FET#4. Normal.
FET#5 - decided to do two months of Lupron Depot as it was the last embryo. Standard medicated protocol with estrace, prometrium, PIO every third day, aspirin. No implantation. **I feel it's relevant to mention that this was a day 7 3CB embryo, so lower chance of success.
DE cycle #2 - Semen analysis tests were worsening and we didn't want to risk it, so we created 3 euploid embryos using donor sperm and donor eggs. Egg donor was different than the first. Both donors are proven donors.
In the meantime my RE referred us for a second opinion at another clinic with an RE who specializes in RPL and immune issues. He did a full physical exam, reviewed my history, and said I'd had a full workup already and he couldn't detect any reason why the FETs hadn't worked. He said he felt our chance for success was good. He did one blood test, I can't remember what it was but it came back negative. He suggested to my RE that we repeat an SIS, add steroids and Lovenox just to try something new.
SIS was repeated. Found to be normal except one tube seemed blocked, my RE said she thought this was a technical issue rather than a true blockage. Tried to remove a cervical polyp too but could only get part of it off.
FET #6 - ovulatory FET with Letrozole (as it is supposed to suppress Endo), Ovidrel trigger, vaginal probiotics because why not, Medrol for 5 days starting two days before transfer, Lovenox starting two days before transfer until beta, prometrium 600mg a day, PIO every third day, aspirin. No implantation.
I'm at a loss here TBH. My regroup with my RE is next week. We have two euploid donor embryos left and after that we are done.
I'm still on Synthroid and my TSH hovers just under 2.
One thing I asked her about was my 25mg escitalopram. Max dose is 20, many people take 10. Google says this med can raise prolactin. My clinic has not tested my prolactin. I don't have any symptoms such as lactation. I'm maybe grasping a bit with this but it's one thing that changed between FET #2 which implanted and FET #3-6 which did not. The nurse messaged my RE about this yesterday, and she said she'll test my prolactin, but that the extra progesterone support should counteract any prolactin issues, so this likely did not affect the last FET. Regardless I'm going to ask my psychiatrist to lower my dose to 10mg, the side effects at 25mg are bothersome and this was only supposed to be a short term dose increase.
Things I'm going to ask my RE about: - an HSG? I've never had one. - repeating EMMA ALICE? - doing three months of Lupron Depot, or Orlissa? Maybe the FET we did after LD failed because of an embryo issue? - lap surgery? The wait for this will be at least a year. - more extensive thyroid testing? My TSH and T4 free is tested regularly. Not sure if there are other elements to test. - testing progesterone during a FET? This is not routinely done in Canada. - I don't want to do ovulatory FETs anymore. I was only able to get implantation with a medicated FET so I'd like to go back to those.
My RE is very collaborative and will listen to any suggestions I have so I'm hoping to develop a good list.
I hope this isn't too hard to follow. It turned into a novel 🫠

Introduction:
Joint replacement surgery can be life-changing, restoring mobility and alleviating pain for individuals suffering from conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or joint injury. When considering joint replacement, selecting the right surgeon is paramount to ensuring a successful outcome. This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when seeking a joint replacement surgeon who can provide exceptional care and results.

1. Specialization and Expertise:

Look for a surgeon who specializes in joint replacement surgery. These specialists dedicate their practice to mastering the intricacies of joint replacement procedures, such as total hip replacement, total knee replacement, and shoulder replacement. Seek out a surgeon who has performed a high volume of joint replacements, as experience is often correlated with better outcomes and fewer complications.

1. Board Certification and Training:

Ensure that your chosen surgeon is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and has received additional training in joint replacement procedures. Board certification indicates that the surgeon has met rigorous standards of competency and expertise in their field. Additionally, inquire about their fellowship training, which provides specialized education in joint replacement techniques and advancements.

1. Surgical Approach and Techniques:

Discuss with your surgeon their preferred surgical approach and techniques for joint replacement. While traditional approaches are still widely used, advancements such as minimally invasive surgery and computer-assisted navigation can offer benefits such as smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and faster recovery times. Choose a surgeon who is proficient in a variety of techniques and can tailor the approach to your individual needs and anatomy.

1. Comprehensive Preoperative Evaluation:

A thorough preoperative evaluation is essential for ensuring a successful joint replacement surgery. Your surgeon should conduct a comprehensive assessment of your joint condition, overall health, and any underlying medical issues that may impact the surgery or recovery process. They should also discuss alternative treatment options, risks, and benefits to help you make an informed decision about proceeding with joint replacement.

1. Postoperative Care and Rehabilitation:

Recovery from joint replacement surgery involves more than just the surgical procedure itself. Look for a surgeon who provides comprehensive postoperative care and rehabilitation support. This may include physical therapy, pain management strategies, and guidance on activities of daily living to optimize your recovery and regain function in the replaced joint. A surgeon who emphasizes patient education and support throughout the recovery process can make a significant difference in your overall experience and outcomes.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right joint replacement surgeon is a critical step in your journey toward improved joint function and quality of life. By considering factors such as specialization, board certification, surgical approach, preoperative evaluation, and postoperative care, you can find a surgeon who is not only highly skilled but also dedicated to providing personalized care and support every step of the way. With the guidance of an experienced and compassionate surgeon, you can confidently pursue joint replacement surgery with the assurance of exceptional care and results.

For context the Forge World Columnus sits in the path of a massive Ork Weirdwaagh led by the powerful Ork Psyker Zagdakka. The Raven Guard have engaged the Waagh and have been harassing it to give the Forge World time to prepare its defences. When Clan Raukaan of the Iron Hands, led by Captain Kristos: a powerful and accomplished Iron Hands warleader renowned for his embrace of logic arrive to bolster the defences victory seems assured. However, as the Orks assault the fortress factory of Urdi the Iron Hands refuse to reinforce the defenders.
This excerpt is shown through an Iron Hands marine accessing a bank of data that allows him to relive the battle which is why there's a part mentioning some data being restricted. I think this excerpt is very interesting for showing a major incident within the Iron Hands when they were at their lowest point in-lore.

Having harried these orks for every metre they took towards Urdri, Stenn knew that this was no ordinary invasion.
He had heard in dispatches of the psychic energies that flowed through their Gargants – weapon grids, shields and piercing uncanny augurs – and that brought their lumpen drop ships to ground still. He had heard too of the court of warpheads with which the self-styled warpboss, Zagdakka, surrounded himself, and had lost two squads of his most experienced Scouts in a failed attempt at thinning their numbers. He saw now with his own eyes the weird energy that flowed through these greenskins in their battle-madness like some manner of psychic connective tissue, the brawn and sinew of some gestalt ork that drove them unto death with a single, overriding will.
The fire discipline of the Raven Guard and their mortal allies slaughtered greenskins every minute by the hundred, but they didn’t seem to care, hurling themselves recklessly against the Imperial guns as though possessed. Not that the blasted Iron Hands would allow for the slightest deviation from their precious calculus. Stenn sneered, his pistol emitting a final hiss as coolant jets sprayed from the weapon’s muzzle and the vents locked. He thumbed off the safety and selected rapid fire. He could teach the Iron Hands a thing or two about logic.
‘Kristos, you honourless shell, I’m talking to you.’ He raged into the vox as he seared the heaving mass of orks with plasma. Too soon, heat warnings blinked red on the pistol’s side and he was forced to flick back to vent. ‘I need reinforcements and I need them now. Now, Kristos! I want a creeping artillery barrage walking outwards from the outer wall over the southern highway and I want aeronautica backup. Kristos!’
‘Captain,’ shouted Yavid. His company standard-bearer was on one knee behind the low wall and blazing into the horde with tight semi-automatic bursts of his pistol. He jerked his beaked helm towards the wrecked loading yard to the northeast of haulage depot 764. Stenn looked to where his brother pointed.
A squad of Iron Hands Centurions, almost as well camouflaged as the Raven Guard themselves in their huge black warsuits and perfect stillness. Their hurricane bolters were unloaded and pointed at the ground or at walls, whichever direction they had happened to be facing when the strange malaise of inaction had taken them.
Stenn regarded them with fury. The few Iron Hands he had seen had been that way, ever since the unexpected psychic onslaught had levelled the south wall outright. At first he had wondered if it was a secondary effect of Zagdakka’s powers, but the Raven Guard and their mortal allies were unaffected. Yavid had a replacement eye as well as a bionic arm and he remained functional, as did the crew interfaces of their vehicles. As did the damned skitarii.
‘Kristos!’ he roared down the vox again, knowing he wasn’t going to be answered, but determined that his last words be heard just the same, even if it were only by a comatose machine. ‘And he had the nerve to tell me that the Raven Guard dragged his primarch down,’ he growled to Yavid. ‘Corvia, but I hate them. You hear that, Kristos? You think it was coincidence that found us both in the vicinity of this world? We too heard Dawnbreak’s mortis cry. The second one, the one they sent after you abandoned their world to the eldar!’
An ork ran at him. He tore its head from its shoulders with a slash of lightning claw, then incinerated two more with precise blasts from his pistol. With the meaty clash of butcher’s work, the bangs of bolter-fire diminished as orks thundered into the thin line of Space Marines. The Rhinos’ storm bolters flashed; the thudding reports dissolved into the meat of chainblades and knives and primal screams. Assault Marines leapt into the air on bursts of thrust, flung back to earth as though on elastic cords to send orks flying. Lightning claws sizzled and cracked. He was aware of men fleeing, skitarii jerking as they were cut down, but the melee had swallowed him whole.
All the feints and tricks and stratagems that had delayed the Weirdwaaagh thus far were done. Now it came down to the strength of his arm, the artifice of his armour – kill orks until there were no orks left and pray to the Throne that enough men survived to hold this line when it was done.
It was what failure looked like.

...

The Centurions moved!
There they were, silent as the blown-out repair shops through which they came, ghosts of the machine bound forever to a doomed cycle of destruction and repair. The firepower of the Centurions alone would have ripped a hole into the ork horde as wide as the gates of the Ravenspire, but six full squads of Tactical Marines also moved up through the rubble behind them. They spread out, taking fire-positions just beyond the chokepoint where Stenn’s efforts held the orks at bay.
What were they waiting for?
He saw a pair of hellfire Dreadnoughts lumbering into position either side of the smaller Centurions, and then heard the weary collapse of a pockmarked stretch of rockcrete as the glacis plate of a Redeemer pattern Land Raider drove through it. Its sponson flamestorm cannons traversed to track the flows of the ork horde, liquid promethium dribbling to the rubble floor. Stenn cursed as he punched his lightning claw through a charging ork’s ribs. Never expect an Iron Hand to commit until he was good and ready.
‘What are you waiting for?’ He shot an ork in the face as it made to barrel towards Yavid, and found himself in the sights of the nearest Iron Hands squad.
They had bolters locked and aimed, but for some reason held their fire. Their eye slits shone an ephemeral white, but they could have been decoy suits for all the urgency they showed. ‘Shoot, curse you!’

[Zagdakka's psychic powers begin to assault the Space Marines]

An ectoplasmic limb twice the girth of an armoured Space Marine manifested from the random snaps of energy and smacked down on a Raven Guard that had been about to deliver the kill shot to the ork at his feet. Stenn strained as his own adversary’s brute strength slowly pushed him towards his knees. The ork gave a roar of surprise as another great fist snatched it away and hurled it through a rockcrete wall. Stenn too cried out as, for the first few seconds of flight, the ork’s grip on his arms took him with it. He hit the ground like a grenade dropped from a Land Speeder, and clattered through wreckage until his helmet smashed into the keystone at the base of an ablutorial block and he was lumped bodily against the wall. He groaned.
Gauntlet fingers crunched through the rubble as he drew his hands under him and began to push. Then he looked up. He swore as the confusion of contradictory threat markers suddenly parted around the black shape of the Rhino that was somersaulting towards him. He dropped back to the ground, body flat, feeling the tremendous shift in air pressure as the tank turned overhead and smashed through the ablutorial wall like a rock launched from a trebuchet.
‘Kristos,’ he coughed. His helm’s respirator seals were damaged and blast debris from the demolished building was making his breath catch. ‘Engage, damn it.’
Screams penetrated the death haze. Urgent signals through vox and data-link lent it a crackling, chopped-up dimension: red lit, threat markers circling with malign intent. He discharged his pistol, full charge, then screamed aloud as something grabbed his ankle and dragged him through what was left of the ablutorial. He bumped and slid over broken tiling and then put another wild shot through a standing column as he was turned upside down and pulled into the air.
A greenish coalescence had him by the leg. A flurry of short-lived plasmic tendrils burst from his pistol, and through the force that held him as though it were a hallucination. He fired until the weapon emitted shrill overheat tones and then he fired once more.
The pistol exploded in his hand, a newborn star about half a metre across that turned his arm to a crisp and buckled his plastron with the ferocity of its birth. Yelling in delirious fury as bio-implants flooded his bloodstream with clotting factors and powerful neuralgics, he activated his jump pack. It roared, shuddered madly for several seconds, then burned out, having moved him nowhere. The force around his ankle hardened into the clear form of a fist as it dragged him over the battleground until he hung upside down in front of an enormous greenskin wreathed in psychic flame.
The ork regarded him quizzically through a pair of green-tinted goggles. It was encased in war plate of white bone, arcane sigils of alien design daubed in pink using, or so Stenn’s Scouts had reported, the mashed brains of its human captives. Its helmet was made of scrap metal and buckled tightly under its chin, a single massive spike coiled with razor wire rising from the crown like some breed of antenna. Green energy spat from the coils and swirled in the lenses of its goggles. It watched him writhe as it would a worm on its claw.
Stenn gave a grunt of pain as psychic fingers tightened around him and squeezed. ‘Damn you >> RESTRICTED DATA >> Just kill me yourself.’
His armour cracked like a sea-crustacean’s shell, blood spurting from ruptured seals as his body was crushed. He screamed, genhanced anatomy fighting a battle with pain that had been stacked well against it from the outset. ‘Emperor forgive you!’
With every scrap of conscious thought locked away in hardened centres of his brain structure he cursed the Iron Hands. He cursed the casual brutality, the bare calculation of risk versus reward. His last thoughts before those final redoubts succumbed to braindeath were not of the pain, nor of his brother Raven Guard that fell to the mind-blasts of the warpboss’ retinue, nor even of the Iron Hands themselves as they finally descended on the fray.
With the enemy leaders bottled up with the last of the Raven Guard, the Iron Hands opened fire. Tactical Marines, Centurions, Land Raiders, each warrior a cog in a war machine that sprayed fire to a perfectly choreographed maelstrom that consumed Warpboss Zagdakka, his retinue, the Raven Guard, and Stenn himself.

Gynecomastia, a condition characterized by the enlargement of breast tissue in males, can have a profound impact on self-esteem and confidence. Fortunately, individuals seeking effective treatment need not look further than Delhi, where Dr. Ritesh Anand stands as a leading expert in gynecomastia surgery in Delhi. Let's explore how Dr. Ritesh Anand is transforming lives through his expertise and dedication to patient care.
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Rhinoplasty revision, a specialized surgical procedure, aims to refine and enhance the outcomes of a previous nose surgery. Whether addressing functional concerns like breathing difficulties or aesthetic dissatisfaction stemming from asymmetries or insufficient correction, this meticulous procedure requires the expertise of a skilled surgeon experienced in navigating the complexities of altered nasal anatomy and scar tissue. Through tailored surgical plans, patients embark on a journey towards renewed confidence, as subtle refinements harmonize facial features, unlocking the potential for enhanced self-image and inner contentment.

Hi all,
Apologies in advance for the long backstory!
In July 2022, I had a radical breast reduction to treat macromastia that I had been struggling with since my early teens (I'm currently 32). After letting my surgeon know that I was nonbinary and wanted my breasts on the smaller side, she was able to accomodate me and removed as much tissue as possible without using a nipple graft.
My surgeon did an excellent job, my only issue is some dog earing under my arms, which was to be expected. I went from a 40K to a 44B (I've gained some weight since surgery). This surgery was successful and my life has greatly changed, now that I don't have massive breast tissue weighing on my body and damaging my back and arms! I'm also able to bind my chest without major discomfort or damage to my healed breasts, which has done wonders for my dysphoria!
As part of my gender transition (although I identify as nonbinary, I also identify as transmasculine, and have been on hormones for several months), I'm thinking of getting top surgery with buttonhole to reduce the size of my chest even further while still keeping feeling in my nipples, but I'm worried about how my anatomy may be different after a breast reduction.
Has anybody had experience with getting buttonhole after a breast reduction or know of any surgeons who have experience with patients like me?

I‘m 17F and a virgin. I have no other issues, except painful or uncomfortable masturbation. I get my periods fairly regularly (fluctuations between 2-4 days max.), I don’t have an UTI and I haven’t noticed any other abnormalities or changes.
But I am worried about a few things concerning my anatomy and the pain I have when attempting to masturbate.
I took a look in the mirror a few times to see what’s going on down there. And I noticed that my urethra is almost inside my vaginal opening. Like it’s literally almost inside. And I‘m 100% sure it is my urethra. It’s not my clitoris, since mine is pretty obvious and it’s located way higher up.
I usually don’t masturbate by inserting fingers or anything in my vagina. It just hurts and every time I feel very anxious and disappointed. I really want to be able to do it, but it’s just uncomfortable.
And I think it is because of my urethra and where it is located. Because when I insert my finger in my vagina and I try to masturbate I basically rub with my finger over my urethra (since it’s almost inside my vaginal opening), which causes the pain. Like I‘m irritating that area. It’s kind of tender to touch. And I always try it when I‘m aroused and lubricated. But still I feel like my urethra is in my way. I have no issues urinating, so I don’t know what it could be.
Also is it normal that my urethra has a little bit of tissue around it? Like it kinda looks like a donut if that makes sense.
I don’t know if it’s the angle or wrong technique and please don’t judge me for this. I really hope I can do something about it.

This is meant to be educational for my girlies out there who are probably having lots of regrets right now with their belly piercing or are looking to re-pierce their belly button. Long story short, go to the right piercer and do your research. My mistake was going to a piercer who disregarded my anatomy for a naval piercing. I was in-n-out that shop in 3 minutes and left with my first non-lobe piercing. They just clamped, stabbed the needle through, and done. Although I babied this piercing with care, it still rejected due to it being a double gem. I’ll get to that…
This surface piercing ended up rejecting after 3 months of me having it. I took it out and was left with a horrible scar, keloid, and scar tissue. It was deep. I said “Okay, I really love this piercing but I’ll do my best to improve the scar and try again in one year’s time.” And so I did, I did my research in my area and found an amazing piercer. I made an appointment and went in. My piercer called me in to give me a talk about what I wanted and she gave the best honest advice. She said,
“You are a candidate for a floating naval piercing because your belly button collapses. Even if you lost weight, it would still be the same, that’s how you were born. You were meant to get a floating naval piercing (flat disc pierce on the bottom and a ball on the top) in the first place, not a double gem surface piercing. Though, if you were my sister or friend, I would tell you to not try again with this piercing because it may reject due to the scar tissue being deep and bumpy feeling. It’s also a bit difficult to pierce, but not impossible. I would need to give you a bit of a longer bar and a gauge up from what you had before.”
So then I say screw it and just decide to try this piercing one more time. She was able to feel my scar tissue and pierce right behind all of it perfectly. Tbh it didn’t even hurt at all. She went in with her hands and no clamp. She then said,
“Take pictures of the piercing everyday hence your eyes see it everyday, you wouldn’t notice a change. pointing to the keloid scar Once you see this becoming darker and discolored, or if the bar is becoming longer, come back and I can check on it because it means it may be rejecting.”
So here I am with a new floating naval piercing. I’m happy with it. I’ll keep everyone updated if you girls/guys are interested. It’s been a few days now and I don’t even feel the piercing, but I’m very cautious with it. Unlike my first naval surface piercing, I was in pain when bending over due to it being a double gem. Wish me luck for a good healing experience with this one!