Editor's Note, Volume 11 Issue 4

D’Arcy Little, MD, CCFP, FCFP, FRCPC Medical Director, JCCC and HealthPlexus.NET

I am pleased to introduce the next issue of the Journal of Current Clinical Care.

Drs. Zhi Wang, Ali Ghoul, Jesse Shen, and Amer Sebaaly present Refractory Back Pain after Surgery: an Overview of the Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS). "Lumbar spinal pain of unknown origin, either presisting despite surgical intervention or appearing after surgical intervention for spinal pain, originating in the same topographical location" is a description widely used to describe FBSS. In reality, the syndrome is more often a mismatch between the patient's expectations and the surgical results. This review will describe the possible causes and presentation of FBSS and highlight the role of the multidisciplinary team approach in its management involving non-operative and surgical interventions. The most important objective is correct patient selection for surgery before the first operation.

In her article, BP Monitoring at Home: No Pressure Patient Education, Dr. Marina Abdel Malak reviews hypertension that is increasingly common and treatable. This requires frequent monitoring in order to titre medications, ensure optimal control, and prevent complications. Educating patients on how to monitor their blood pressure at home is central to managing hypertension. This article explores specific advice physicians can give their patients on when and how to monitor their blood pressure at home, and provides resources to use in practice.

Dr. Alykhan Abdulla offers Repetitive Strain Injuries: Featuring Trish the Typist. Repetitive strain injuries are a group of medical conditions that are caused by prolonged repetitive, awkward, or forceful movements that overstress particular muscles, nerves, tendons, or bones. It is most common in the forearms and hands, but can also affect the eyes, neck, shoulders, or back.

I hope you enjoy this latest edition. Please consider commenting or submitting an article of your own.