Animal BitesBites are extremely common and can cause significant pain and other problems, especially when associated with an infection. Early recognition of warning signs and appropriate treatment are key in minimizing potential problems from the bite.
Arthritis: Base of the ThumbThe most common symptom of thumb basal joint arthritis is a deep, aching pain at the base of the thumb. The pain is often worsened with activities that involve pinch, including opening jars, turning door knobs or keys, and writing. Arthritis: OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cushioning cartilage that covers the bone surfaces at the joints begins to wear out. Arthritis: Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis affects the cells that line and normally lubricate the joints (synovial tissue). This is a systemic condition (can affect the whole body), which means that it may affect multiple joints, usually on both sides of the body. Broken ArmMost broken arms are caused by trauma to that extremity. This can be a low-energy mechanism like a fall or a high-energy injury like a motor vehicle crash. Sporting injuries are also common causes for a broken arm. BurnsWhen the skin comes in contact with something hot, it may be damaged, with death of cells in the skin. The depth of the injury depends on the intensity of the heat and the length of time that it is applied. Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition brought on by increased pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. In effect, it is a pinched nerve at the wrist. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that is believed to be the result of dysfunction in the central or peripheral nervous systems. Congenital Hand DifferencesCongenital abnormalities (also called congenital anomalies) of the upper extremity are differences from normal that are present at birth. Cumulative Trauma DisorderASSH feels that the diagnoses of CTD and RSI are not appropriate and may actually lead the patient to believe that he or she has a condition that is something more than the ordinary aches and pains of life. de Quervain SyndromeThe cause of de Quervain’s tendonitis is an irritation of the tendons at the base of the thumb, usually caused by taking up a new, repetitive activity. Dedo en Gatillo en EspanolTenosinovitis estenosante, comúnmente conocido como dedo en gatillo o pulgar en gatillo, afecta a las poleas y tendones en la mano que flexionan los dedos. Extensor Tendon InjuriesExtensor tendons, located on the back of the hand and fingers, allow you to straighten your fingers and thumb. Flexor Tendon InjuriesThe muscles that bend or flex the fingers are called flexor muscles. These flexor muscles move the fingers through cord-like extensions called tendons, which connect the muscles to bone. Ganglion CystsGanglion cysts are very common lumps within the hand and wrist that occur adjacent to joints or tendons. Golf Injuries to the Hand, Wrist or ElbowFor most golfers, the hand and/or wrist is the third most common body region injured, after the back and elbow. The wrist is injured 3 times more frequently than the hand. Gout and PseudogoutGout and pseudogout—calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD)—are two types of crystalline arthropathies which are disease processes that cause sore joints because salt crystals have formed in the joint. Hand and Wrist TumorsAny abnormal lump or bump is considered a tumor. A tumor can also be referred to as a “mass." The term “tumor” does not necessarily mean it is malignant or it is a cancer. Hand FracturesA fracture occurs when enough force is applied to a bone to break it. When this happens, there is pain, swelling, and decreased use of the injured part. Many people think that a fracture is different from a break, but they are the same. Hand InfectionsHand infections can cause severe problems that persist even after the infection has resolved, such as stiffness, loss of strength, and even loss of tissues such as skin, nerve and even bone. Hand TherapyHand Therapy is a type of rehabilitation performed by an occupational or physical therapist on patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities. Joint ReplacementThe abnormal bone and lining structures of the involved joint are removed surgically, and new parts are inserted in their places. Kienböck’s DiseaseKienbock’s disease is a problem in the wrist caused by the loss of blood supply to the lunate. The lunate is one of the eight small bones that make up the “carpal bones” in the wrist. Nerve InjuriesNerves are fragile and can be damaged by pressure, stretching, or cutting. Pressure or stretching injuries can cause the fibers carrying the information to break and stop the nerve from working, without disrupting the insulating cover. NumbnessAlthough carpal tunnel syndrome is common, it is not the only cause of numbness, tingling, and pain in the forearm and hand. Power Saw InjuriesPower saws are extremely useful tools, enabling all types of materials to be cut and shaped. However, they also have the potential to cause serious hand injuries. The hands are used to guide pieces into the saw, and thus they can be vulnerable.
Psoriatic ArthritisPsoriasis is a skin disease in which patients have dry, red and scaly skin rashes that can occur on any part of the body. Between 5-20% of patients with psoriasis may develop an associated arthritis. Replantation“Replantation” refers to the surgical reattachment of a finger, hand, or arm that has been completely cut from a person’s body. The goal of replantation surgery is to give the patient back as much use of the injured area as possible. Scaphoid FracturesFracture of the scaphoid bone occurs most frequently from a fall onto the outstretched hand. Typically there is pain initially, but the pain may decrease after days or weeks. Scaphoid Non-unionThe scaphoid bone is vulnerable to fracture because of its position within the wrist and its role in wrist function. When the scaphoid bone is broken, it may not heal properly because it has a very fragile blood supply. Ski and Snowboard InjuriesSkiing and snowboarding are among the most popular winter sports. Injuries to the upper extremity occur in a relatively predictable pattern. Fortunately, there are some ways to help decrease the chance for injury.
Skin Cancer of the Hand and Upper ExtremitySkin cancer is a change in some of the cells of your skin such that they grow abnormally to form a malignant tumor. These abnormal cells can invade through the skin into adjacent structures or travel throughout your body. Steroid InjectionsSteroid injections are commonly used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions of the upper extremity. Examples of these include trigger fingers, De Quervain’s tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff tendonitis Systemic DiseasesBecause the hand contains structures from the skin, muscular, skeletal, circulatory, and nervous systems, it often provides clues to diseases which are yet to be diagnosed in other parts of the body. Tendon Transfer SurgeryTendon transfer surgery is a type of hand surgery that is performed in order to improve lost hand function. Vascular DisordersVascular disorders of the upper-extremity are uncommon, but ones that may have lasting implications.
Wrist ArthroscopyWrist arthroscopy allows the surgeon to diagnose and treat many problems of the wrist through a series of very small incisions. In the last five years, the wrist has become the third most common joint to undergo arthroscopy. Wrist FracturesThe most commonly broken bone of the wrist is the radius. Many people think that a fracture is different from a break, but they are the same. Wrist SprainsA sprain is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments are the connective tissues that connect bones to bones; they could be thought of as tape that holds the bones together at a joint.
|
|