Ep 324 – Staghorn Calculus: “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner
The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession
What Are Nephrolithiasis Kidney Stones?
Staghorn Calculi are not usually made of the calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate that we see with other kidney stones. Instead, they are made mostly of a substance called Struvite, which is to say magnesium ammonium phosphate. They can grow quickly and become quite large, and this can happen with few symptoms at least.
A client reports she’s about to lose a kidney due to a kidney stone. That seems . . . extreme, doesn’t it? What’s probably happening is that she has a staghorn calculus: a stone that takes up all the space in her kidney. If it’s not removed it will continue to grow, which could lead to all kinds of problems.
What is a staghorn calculus? And what accommodations do we need to make for a person who has lost an entire vital organ? These questions and more on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .”
Sponsors:
Books of Discovery: www.booksofdiscovery.com
Advanced-Trainings: www.advanced-trainings.com
Host Bio:
Ruth Werner is a former massage therapist, a writer, and an NCBTMB-approved continuing education provider. She wrote A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology, now in its seventh edition, which is used in massage schools worldwide. Werner is also a long-time Massage & Bodywork columnist, most notably of the Pathology Perspectives column. Werner is also ABMP’s partner on Pocket Pathology, a web-based app and quick reference program that puts key information for nearly 200 common pathologies at your fingertips. Werner’s books are available at www.booksofdiscovery.com. And more information about her is available at www.ruthwerner.com.
Recent Articles by Ruth:
“Working with Invisible Pain,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, November/December 2022, page 36, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961-november-december-2022/38
“Unpacking the Long Haul,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, January/February 2022, page 35, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667-january-february-2022/36.
“Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Massage Therapy,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, September/October 2021, page 33, http://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696-september-october-2021/34.
“Pharmacology Basics for Massage Therapists,” Massage & Bodywork magazine, July/August 2021, page 32, www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1384577-july-august-2021/34.
Resources:
Pocket Pathology: https://www.abmp.com/abmp-pocket-pathology-app
Hill, A.J. et al. (2022) ‘Incidence of Kidney Stones in the United States: The Continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey’, Journal of Urology, 207(4), pp. 851–856. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002331.
Staghorn Calculus: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22509-staghorn-calculus (Accessed: 22 February 2023).
‘Struvite and Staghorn Calculi: Practice Essentials, History of the Procedure, Problem’ (2021a). Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/439127-overview (Accessed: 23 February 2023).
Struvite Stones (2021b) National Kidney Foundation. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/struvite-stone (Accessed: 23 February 2023).
Struvite Stones: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Diet (no date). Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/kidney-health/struvite-stones (Accessed: 23 February 2023).
Torricelli, F.C.M. and Monga, M. (2020) ‘Staghorn renal stones: what the urologist needs to know’, International Brazilian Journal of Urology : official journal of the Brazilian Society of Urology, 46(6), pp. 927–933. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2020.99.07.
About our Sponsor:
Massage Mentor Institute
In 2019, Diane Matkowski, aka the Massage Mentor, began a closed Facebook page for hosting discussions with industry leaders. These interviews gave her an idea for The Massage Mentor Institute and Jam Series workshops.
The goal was to create various continuing education classes offered in one spot. The Institute is a space for massage therapists to learn different approaches and philosophies of bodywork and business classes. It’s also home to the Shoulder, Hip, Neck, and Back Jam workshops.
We believe that no one technique works for every human being. Our goal is to help you find your path. We have selected teachers we trust, admire, and believe will help you grow as a licensed massage therapist.
Website: themassagementorinstitute.com
Facebook Group: facebook.com/themassagementor
Instagram: @massagementorinstitute
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