Hand & Wrist
The human hand is an intricate instrument that is both tough and delicate. Its functions of sensations and motion allow us to experience and control the world around us.
One in three industrial or home accidents involves injury to the hand. The restoration of hand function after injury or disease is a gratifying experience for the hand surgeon.
Many routine hand conditions are treated in our practice. The following links provide a brief description of some of them. There are numerous other conditions that relate to the injury, disease and deformity of the wrist and hand.
We are pleased to share with you our experience in the field of Hand Surgery and to provide state-of-the-art care in this area.
Trigger Finger
The tendons of the thumb and each of the fingers pass through a sheath on the palm side of the hand. Certain diseases and overuse activities can cause a thickening of this sheath. As the tendon passes through a thickened sheath, the tendon eventually becomes irritated and swells. Pain, catching and eventually locking of the finger will occur. Early treatment consists of anti-inflammatory medication or Cortisone injection. If these fail to provide relief, the sheath is opened surgically through a small incision at the base of the finger.
Click here for more info
Dupuytren's Contracture
Dupuytren's is an unusual condition. The disease comes from Scandinavia, brought here by the Vikings. It's mainly of genetic origin and therefore often runs in families. The condition caused the growth of new tissue in the hands and fingers. Since these tissues have a habit of contracting, the condition often results in flexion deformities of the fingers. The process is typically painless, but sometimes prominent nodules can be painful when gripping (imagine having a pebble in your hand while gripping something hard-you get the idea). There is nothing cancerous or malignant about this. The condition is named after the French surgeon Baron Guillaume Dupuytren who also treated Napolen. Although a famous surgeon at the time, he was most unpopular with those around him and labelled as "first amongst surgeons, last amongst men".
Click here for more info
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
Tendonitis on the thumb side of the wrist can be a very painful and disabling condition. Simple pinching and twisting activities can be almost impossible. The tendons to the thumb become inflamed as they pass under a ligament and the slightest motion of the wrist can cause pain.
Treatment consists of rest, medication and occasionally the use of a steroid injection. If these treatments do not provide relief over time, the tendons can be surgically released.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common hand problem resulting from pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. Symptoms, which are often worse at night, consist of numbness and/or pain in the wrist and fingers. Eventually there is loss of strength, fine motor control and sensation.
Early treatment consists of splinting and anti-inflammatory medication. If symptoms do not improve, an outpatient surgical procedure to relieve the pressure on the nerve is suggested.
Click here for more info
Streaming Videos - Hand & Wrist
Click on the topics below to find out more from the Orthopaedic connection website of Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
|
