Th e Doc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

I managed to perforate my eardrum but am unsure of the cause – could it have been down to a recent flight?

Many of us have experienced the uncomfortable feeling in their ears when a plane descends, thanks to the change in air pressure in the cabin.

For most the feeling passes – with the help of a boiled sweetie – but for some people, and perhaps this was the case with you, this can indeed result in a perforated eardrum.

The eardrum is a membrane which stretches across the entrance to the middle ear, and it can be damaged in several different ways.

Most commonly, it’s caused by an infection of the middle ear. The little chamber behind the eardrum fills up with fluid and can eventually burst.

This can comes as something of a relief for those in a bit of pain, as the pressure inside the ear eases.

Trauma to the area can do it — for example if someone is punched.

Often, though, people will do it by jabbing cotton buds or Kirby grips into their ear canal.

In the name of all that is good, please don’t do this.

I had hip replacement surgery a few years ago, but now I’m getting pain running down the back of my leg. Could it need repaired?

This sounds like sciatica, which usually is caused by a problem in the lower back causing nerve irritation.

If your hip joint is working well and not causing any pain, then it is more likely to be due to your back. However, if it is ongoing, get it checked out.

What causes a detached retina?

A detached retina occurs when tiny breaks develop inside the retina which lets fluid to leak underneath.

Retinal detachment tends to occur when the retina becomes thinner and more brittle. This tends to be part of the normal ageing process.

A detached retina is a fairly rare occurrence, often there can be warning signs such as sudden short flashes of light. Typically people can present with symptoms where they describe a curtain falling.

It is vital to seek help immediately as the quicker a patient is referred to an ophthalmologist the better the chance of successful treatment.