UTHSC PA Program Podcast

In this episode, we review spinal trauma, focusing on rapid recognition, evaluation, and early management of potential spinal instability and neurologic injury. We discuss common mechanisms such as motor vehicle collisions, falls, and diving injuries, and emphasize the importance of spinal motion restriction when trauma patients present with risk factors like midline tenderness, neurologic deficit...

In this episode, we review systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease driven by immune complex deposition and widespread inflammation. We discuss the epidemiology—most commonly affecting women of childbearing age—and the classic clinical presentation including fatigue, photosensitive rash, symmetric inflammatory arthritis, and constitutional symptoms. The episode...

In this episode, we review key genetic connective tissue disorders that commonly appear in clinical practice and board-style exams: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta. We discuss how defects in connective tissue proteins lead to systemic structural weakness affecting the joints, bones, skin, and cardiovascular system. The episode highlights distinguishing clinical...

In this episode, we provide a high-yield orthopedic review of common lower extremity soft-tissue injuries, focusing on mechanisms of injury, key physical exam findings, and first-line management. We cover common conditions such as hamstring strains, knee ligament injuries (ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL), extensor mechanism ruptures, ankle sprains, Achilles tendon rupture, shin splints, and plantar fascii...

In this episode, we review torticollis, a condition characterized by abnormal head and neck positioning caused by involuntary contraction or dysfunction of cervical muscles—most commonly the sternocleidomastoid. We discuss the various forms of torticollis, including congenital torticollis, cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis), ocular torticollis, and trauma-related cases, along with the neuro...

In this episode, we review Sjögren syndrome, a systemic autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the exocrine glands, leading to dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and dry mouth (xerostomia). We explore the immune-mediated pathophysiology involving lymphocytic infiltration of salivary and lacrimal glands, the role of autoantibodies such as SSA/Ro and SSB/La, and the increased risk of B-cell l...

In this episode, we review reactive arthritis, an inflammatory arthritis that develops days to weeks after a gastrointestinal or genitourinary infection, most commonly associated with Chlamydia trachomatis, Shigella, Campylobacter, or other enteric pathogens. We discuss the immune-mediated pathophysiology involving molecular mimicry and T-cell activation, as well as the association with the HLA-B2...

In this episode, we review polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), an inflammatory rheumatic condition that commonly affects adults over age 50 and presents with symmetrical pain and stiffness of the shoulders, neck, and hip girdle. We discuss the immune-mediated pathophysiology, including the role of IL-6–driven inflammation, and the strong association with giant cell arteritis (GCA). The episode highlight...

In this episode, we review polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), a rare systemic necrotizing vasculitis of medium and small arteries that leads to vessel inflammation, narrowing, thrombosis, and aneurysm formation. We discuss the underlying pathophysiology, including vascular injury and ischemia affecting multiple organ systems—most commonly the renal, dermatologic, neurologic, gastrointestinal, and cardiov...

In this episode, we review lumbar spinal stenosis, a common degenerative condition characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramina that compresses nerve roots of the cauda equina. We discuss the pathophysiology of age-related spinal changes—including disk degeneration, facet hypertrophy, ligamentum flavum thickening, and spondylolisthesis—that contribute to canal narrowing. The e...

In this episode, we explore rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that primarily targets synovial joints and leads to progressive inflammation, cartilage destruction, and bone erosion. We review the underlying pathophysiology, including the formation of the inflammatory pannus and the role of immune-mediated cytokine activity that drives joint damage. The episode highlig...

In this episode, we review Paget's disease of bone, a chronic skeletal disorder characterized by abnormal bone remodeling that leads to structurally weak, enlarged, and deformed bone. We discuss the underlying pathophysiology of accelerated bone turnover, common risk factors such as age over 50, family history, and European ancestry, and the bones most frequently affected—including the pelvis, spi...

In this episode, we review slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), the most common hip disorder in adolescents and an important orthopedic emergency. We discuss the pathophysiology of growth plate weakening that allows the femoral head to slip relative to the femoral neck, often during periods of rapid growth. The episode highlights classic risk factors such as childhood obesity and endocrine di...

In this episode, we review costochondritis, a common cause of noncardiac chest pain resulting from inflammation of the costochondral junctions of the anterior chest wall. We discuss the underlying pathophysiology, common risk factors such as repetitive upper-body activity and chest wall strain, and the typical presentation of localized chest pain that worsens with movement or deep breathing. The e...

In this episode, we review common fractures and dislocations of the upper extremity, focusing on key injury patterns, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management. We discuss the mechanisms behind common injuries such as FOOSH-related fractures, shoulder dislocations, distal radius fractures, and pediatric growth plate injuries. High-yield conditions—including radial head fractures, Monteggia...

In this episode, we review gout and pseudogout, two common crystal-induced arthropathies that frequently present with acute monoarticular arthritis. We discuss the underlying pathophysiology of monosodium urate crystal deposition in gout and calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition in pseudogout, highlighting the key differences in risk factors, joint involvement, and disease progression. The epis...

In this episode, we review plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of heel pain in adults. We discuss the underlying pathophysiology of repetitive stress and degeneration of the plantar fascia at its calcaneal insertion, leading to the classic presentation of sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning. The episode highlights key risk factors such as prolonged standing, obesity, foot biom...

In this episode, we review Osgood–Schlatter disease, a common cause of anterior knee pain in adolescents and young athletes. We discuss the pathophysiology of traction apophysitis at the tibial tubercle caused by repetitive quadriceps contraction during periods of rapid growth. Key clinical features—including localized tibial tubercle pain that worsens with running, jumping, and kneeling—are highl...

In this episode, we review osteoarthritis, the most common degenerative joint disease and a major cause of chronic pain and disability worldwide. We discuss the underlying pathophysiology of cartilage breakdown, osteophyte formation, and low-grade joint inflammation that leads to progressive joint dysfunction. Key clinical features such as activity-related joint pain, brief morning stiffness, crep...

In this episode, we review Zenker diverticulum, a posterior pharyngoesophageal outpouching that develops above the upper esophageal sphincter due to cricopharyngeal dysfunction. We break down the anatomy of the Killian triangle, the pathophysiology of increased intraluminal pressure leading to herniation, and the classic presentation of dysphagia, regurgitation of undigested food, and halitosis in...

In this episode, we review Mallory–Weiss tears, a common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding characterized by a longitudinal mucosal tear at the gastroesophageal junction following forceful vomiting. We break down the pathophysiology of sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure, key risk factors such as alcohol use and hiatal hernia, and the classic presentation of hematemesis after retchi...

In this episode, we review esophageal strictures, an abnormal narrowing of the esophageal lumen most commonly caused by chronic GERD. We break down the pathophysiology of inflammation leading to fibrosis and luminal narrowing, along with other important causes including caustic ingestion, radiation, eosinophilic esophagitis, and malignancy. The discussion highlights the classic presentation of pro...

In this episode, we review diverticular disease, including the progression from diverticulosis to acute diverticulitis. We break down the pathophysiology of mucosal outpouchings in high-pressure zones of the sigmoid colon and how obstruction can lead to inflammation, abscess, perforation, or peritonitis. The discussion highlights classic left lower quadrant pain, the role of CT imaging for diagnos...

In this episode, we review acute cholangitis , a life-threatening infection of the biliary tree that occurs in the setting of obstruction—most commonly from choledocholithiasis. We break down the pathophysiology of increased intrabiliary pressure leading to bacterial overgrowth and systemic infection, along with the classic presentation of Charcot triad: fever, jaundice, and right upper quadrant p...

In this episode, we review endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a specialized procedure used to diagnose and treat biliary and pancreatic duct disorders. We break down the relevant anatomy of the ampulla of Vater and sphincter of Oddi, common indications such as choledocholithiasis and acute cholangitis, and key contraindications to consider before proceeding. The discussion walk...