Anything that reduces the blood supply to the wrists, hands and fingers can cause nerve damage, and this damage creates the feeling of numbness or tingling in that area of the body.
A variety of activities and conditions can contribute to this reduced blood supply. Sometimes repetitive motions over a long period of time, such as in a work, hobby or sports setting, can be a factor. Diabetes can reduce the blood supply to peripheral areas of the body, resulting in nerve damage. Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis can also cause this condition, as can certain chemotherapy drugs used for cancer treatment.
Some of the most common conditions causing numbness or tingling are:
Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon in the body. Tendons attach muscles to bones, and are responsible for helping to create movement. Normally tendons glide smoothly, but when they become inflamed, this process is affected. Stiffness, pain, and sometimes tingling is noticeable. Sports or other injuries can cause this sudden inflammation, but so can repetitive motions from working on a computer, repetitive manufacturing jobs, sewing, playing a guitar or other activities.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage through the wrist that houses and protects the median nerve, running from the hands all the way up the arm. When this tunnel becomes inflamed, pressure is placed on this nerve and pain, numbness and tingling can occur. Some people are genetically more prone to this condition; others can develop it over time from repetitive motions involving the wrists and fingers.
Again caused by inflammation, in this case the tendons in the fingers, this condition causes a finger or the thumb to become “stuck” in a bent position, and then to snap back when it releases, much like a trigger releasing. Early signs of trigger finger can include stiffness when you move the finger, your joint “popping” when you move it, or a bump at the base of the finger. Repetitive grasping or gripping motions are usually the source of this condition. If not treated properly, the digit can become permanently bent.
The most important step to take when you are experiencing numbness or tingling in the hands is to start with a proper diagnosis of the cause of the condition. It is best to consult a doctor who specializes in treating the hands and the upper body, as these are delicate structures involving complicated interactions between the tendons, ligaments, nerves, bones and muscles.
Most causes of tingling and numbness can be treated with a variety of non-invasive techniques, and will successfully resolve with proper treatment and time. Sometimes a surgical intervention is necessary, and in this case you definitely want a hand surgeon; an orthopedic doctor with specialization in the hands, wrists and upper body.
If you or someone you know is experiencing hand, finger, wrist or upper extremity pain, contact Dr. Rehman today. She will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the root of the problem, and will design a comprehensive treatment plan to help you attain a full recovery.
Every day another glorious gardening catalog arrives, sparking dreams of the gorgeous gardens we will have in the spring and summer. The planning is great fun, but don’t let hand pain stop you from getting your gardens in shape for a knockout blooming season. A bit of preventive planning and you’ll be gardening to your heart’s content.
Avoid Overdoing It. Too much of one repetitive motion can cause a flare up in hand pain, and it will typically happen after about 45 minutes of continuous activity. Break gardening tasks (weeding, digging, transplanting) into smaller blocks of time and take frequent rests to keep flare-ups to a minimum.
Update Your Tools. Look for gardening tools with bigger handles that are easier to grip. Or, wrap the handles with pipe insulation or foam to make them easier to grip. Electric tools can also ease hand, wrist and arm strain, although the vibration from prolonged use can irritate arthritis, so make sure to take frequent breaks. Use gloves with heavy padding for heavy grasping tasks.
Drink Water. Stay well hydrated to minimize stress not only on your fingers and wrists, but on all of the joints in your body.
Avoid Too Much Stooping and Reaching. Whenever possible work at waist height and avoid excessive overhead work. Use a planting table and a garden bench in place of squatting or stooping. Get good long-handled pruning shears or trimmers to keep large bushes looking nice.
Repetitive Motion Disorders
Many people experience hand, wrist or finger pain during the course of their lifetime. If this is not obviously a result of traumatic injury, like a jammed finger or wrist sprain, it may be a repetitive motion disorder, or RMD. There are a range of RMDs and the discomfort associated with them can range from a mere annoyance to debilitating pain.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is not always treated with surgery. In fact, there are many workplace and lifestyle changes that can be made to help cope with the condition, which can range from annoying to painful. But, you don’t have to put up with carpal tunnel syndrome; you have options.
It’s an odd feeling, and one that can be bothersome and problematic. Your hands and fingers may tingle, or you may notice numbness in one of the joints of your fingers or in your thumb.
Some of the more common causes of this condition are:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located on the palm side of your wrist. A main nerve to your hand runs through this tunnel, as do the nine tendons that bend your fingers. Compression of the nerve causes the numbness, tingling, and eventual weakening of the hand itself. Sometimes this compression is the result of repetitive motion activities. But there may be a genetic predisposition to the condition as well. For some people, the carpal tunnel is narrower and more at risk for irritation of the nerve running through it.
Trigger Finger or Trigger Thumb
In this situation, numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand may be noticed. Typically the result of overuse injuries, trigger finger or thumb affects women more often than men, and is often associated with people who have diabetes. The affected appendage will “snap back” into place like a trigger releasing. Inflammation of the tendon in the affected appendage is the culprit here, and if the condition is severe, the finger or thumb may be locked into a bent position. People whose work or hobbies require repeated gripping actions are at higher risk of developing trigger finger or trigger thumb.
Tendonitis
Tendons are the thick cords in the body that attach the muscles to the bones. If tingling in the hands or fingers is present, or a burning sensation is noted, tendons in the wrist or near the hand may be irritated, inflamed or swollen. This can be the result of a repetitive motion injury, or it could be an acute injury such as occurs in sports. Tendons become less elastic as we age, and damage can occur more easily.
If you are experiencing numbness or tingling in your hands and fingers, contact a Board Certified osteopathic doctor for a complete evaluation. Many of the conditions described above can be treated with minimally invasive procedures such as rest, applying cold packs, anti-inflammatory medication and sometimes corticosteroid injections.
Dr. Rehman has a team of hand therapists who will design a program of hand and wrist exercises and occupational therapy to return your affected appendage to full function and strength. Dr. Rehman is a hand surgeon who specializes in conditions and injuries to the upper body. If the minimally invasive procedures don’t provide relief, surgery may be considered. The hand and wrist are delicate structures, and it is best to have a specialist who is trained and experienced in the hand and wrist to insure a good outcome and a full recovery.
Odd things happen to our joints and our appendages as we get older. Sometimes these quirks can be ignored, and they work themselves out. But other times, it is best to take heed of what the body is trying to tell us.
Trigger finger is one such condition. Initially it may begin with stiffness of the finger in the morning. Typically it occurs in your dominant hand, with one finger involved, but sometimes multiple fingers or the thumb are affected.
Later, you will begin to notice a clicking or popping sensation when you move your finger. You may notice tenderness or a bump at the base of your palm.
As the condition progresses, the finger will pop back from a bent position, much like a trigger releasing. When the condition is at its worst, you may not be able to straighten the finger at all.
Why is this happening?
Tendons allow the fingers to move, and attach the muscles of the hand to the bones in the hand. These tendons are covered by a protective sheath. When this sheath become irritated or inflamed, the normal gliding motion of the muscles is impeded. Sometimes a nodule or bump can form, and this protrusion can get caught on the edge of the tendon sheath. When it breaks free, the result is the popping or clicking of trigger finger as the finger straightens.
Who is at risk?
Women aged 40 to 60 are more at risk of developing this condition than men. People whose occupations or hobbies require repeated gripping are more likely to be affected, and individuals with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop trigger finger.
The good news
Most treatment for trigger finger involves conservative methods such as resting the hands, applying cold packs and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. For more advanced problems, a corticosteroid injection may be performed, and specific occupational therapy exercises prescribed for remediation. Sometimes splinting of the finger is used, to keep the finger in the extended position at night for up to six weeks.
If the condition is severe, surgery could be required. This is typically performed in an outpatient operating room, and patients go home the same day. The surgeon makes a small incision in the palm of the hand, to cut the tendon sheath to allow the nodule to move freely. Most people can move their fingers freely following surgery, but soreness will be noticeable in the palm. Most of the recovery is complete within a few weeks, but physical therapy and exercises may be required to return the hand to full function over a period of several months.
How can I know for sure?
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms of trigger finger, reach out to a qualified orthopedic doctor, such as Dr. Rehman, for a full and complete evaluation. The hands and fingers are delicate appendages, and it is best to consult with a doctor who specializes in this area of the body. Dr. Rehman and her team of hand therapists are the best qualified to diagnose and prescribe treatment to return your hand to full range of motion and strength. And as always, early intervention is most likely to generate the most favorable outcome. Contact Dr. Rehman for more information or with questions. 586-532-0803
Pain in the thumb is no laughing matter, and anyone who is experiencing it will tell you that. The thumb is a crucial structure that is in use constantly in daily activities. When it is working properly, we don’t give it a thought. But when it is sore, it is a painful presence, affecting most of what we do with our hands.
The thumb is connected to the wrist via the basal or carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. This joint, and its attached appendage, the thumb, are susceptible to arthritis for a number of different reasons. One condition that contributes to the problem is obesity, but other conditions may play a part as well; injury, aging, stress, genetics and overuse may also be factors that contribute to the development of arthritis of the thumb. When arthritis is present in a joint, the cartilage that protects bones from rubbing together has deteriorated, and the bone rubbing against the bone generates the pain. Other signs of this disorder can also be swelling, stiffness, or a reduction in strength or range of motion.
Oftentimes, this condition can be managed by non-invasive methods such as:
Rest
Ice
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Corticosteroid injections
Hand splints
Occupational therapy techniques specifically designed to ameliorate the problem
But don’t try to go it alone. Seek out a Board Certified Osteopathic doctor like Dr. Rehman for a complete evaluation and a thorough, comprehensive treatment plan. Her specialized team of hand therapists will work with you to attain the best success, and if it is eventually concluded that surgery is required, Dr. Rehman is an experienced, skilled hand surgeon. The delicate structure of the hand requires specialists to treat it gently and properly. If you are experiencing pain in the thumb or any other joint or hand pain, contact Dr. Rehman today.
Repetitive motion disorders (RMDs) are a multitude of muscular conditions that result from repeated motions performed in normal work or daily activities.
RMDs include:
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Bursitis
Tendonitis
Epicondylitis
Ganglion cyst
Tenosynovitis
Trigger finger
RMDs are caused by too many uninterrupted repetitions of an activity or motion, unnatural or awkward motions such as twisting the arm or wrist, overexertion, incorrect posture, or muscle fatigue.
RMDs occur most commonly in the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders, but can also happen in the neck, back, hips, knees, feet, legs, and ankles.
The disorders are characterized by
Pain
Tingling
Numbness
Visible swelling or redness of the affected area
Loss of flexibility and strength.
For some individuals, there may be no visible sign of injury, although they may find it hard to perform easy tasks. Over time, RMDs can cause temporary or permanent damage to the soft tissues in the body, such as the muscles, nerves, tendons, and ligaments and even compression of nerves or tissue.
Treatment of RMDs
Treatment for RMDs usually includes reducing or stopping the motions that cause symptoms. Options include:
Rest, and stretching and relaxation exercises
Applying ice to the affected area
Using medications such as pain relievers, cortisone, and anti-inflammatory drugs that can reduce pain and swelling.
Splints may be able to relieve pressure on the muscles and nerves.
Physical therapy may relieve the soreness and pain in the muscles and joints.
In some cases, surgery may be required to relieve symptoms and prevent permanent damage.
Many companies are now developing ergonomic programs to help workers adjust their pace of work and arrange office equipment to minimize problems, such as chairs, and keyboards.
Recovery
Most individuals with RMDs recover completely and can avoid re-injury by changing the way they perform repetitive movements, reducing frequency and including frequent rest. Without treatment, RMDs may result in permanent injury and complete loss of function in the affected area.
Repetitive motion disorders should always be diagnosed by a physician, as symptoms can be similar, but treatment different, depending upon the disorder. If you are experiencing hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder pain that could be indicative of a RMD, please contact us at Midwest Hand Therapy
There are many types of corticosteroid injections, but in general, a corticosteroid injection is a formulation of two or more medications to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve function and mobility.
Corticosteroids are derived from cortisone, a steroid hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress. When combined with other pain-killing and anti-inflammatory medications in a corticosteroid injection, they work more effectively and efficiently to treat discomfort. Depending on the condition that is being treated, injections can providepain relief for several weeks up to several months.
At Midwest Hand Therapy, we sometimes administer corticosteroid injections as part of a comprehensive approach to hand and wrist rehabilitation. Depending upon the condition and the particular patient, a corticosteroid injection may accompany hand exercises, hot and cold modalities, and massage.
Many patients that have never had one of these injections express concern regarding the amount of pain they will experience. These injections are very similar to any other type of injection; the initial needle stick is similar to the pain caused by a quick bee sting. There is temporary discomfort while the medication is being injected, but nearly all corticosteroid injection patients agree that a short moment of discomfort is much better than ongoing pain of the wrist or hand!
Corticosteroid injections should only be administered by a licensed physician, and to ensure the best results, patients should visit a doctor that specializes in the specific area being treated. For example: a hand specialist for the hand, fingers, wrist or forearm, and a podiatrist for the foot, ankle or lower extremities.
For more information on corticosteroid injections, or if you are experiencing hand, wrist or finger pain, please contact us at Midwest Hand Therapy.
If your thumb gets stuck in a bent position and then “pops” or clicks upon bending it back into a straight position, you may be experiencing trigger thumb (also called trigger finger). Trigger thumb symptoms range from mild to severe and include stiffness, popping, and even locking for extended periods of time. You may also have visible symptoms such as an actual bump at the base of the thumb.
What causes trigger thumb?
Trigger thumb is caused by a narrowing of the sheath covering the tendon in your thumb. Oftentimes, people’s work or hobbies can result in this condition, especially if you are continually utilizing your hand. Occupations in which trigger thumb is common include tradesman (those that work with hand tools each day), farmers, and even musicians, because they’re continually relying on their fingers and thumbs to make repetitive movements.
How is trigger thumb treated?
Typically trigger thumb is treated by an Orthopedic Doctor trained in the treatment of hand and upper extremity conditions. X-rays or lab tests typically are not necessary; the condition can be identified with a physical exam of the hand and fingers. Trigger finger can usually be treated through conservative methods that include one or more of the following:
Resting the hands
Applying cold packs
Anti-inflammatory medication
Corticosteroid injections
Trigger finger exercises
Occupational therapy
Short-term splinting
Activities known to aggravate trigger thumb should be limited during the healing and recovery process. Your hand doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen to help comfort you, and speed up the recovery process. A corticosteroid injection may also be administered by your doctor.
In extreme conditions, hand surgery may be recommended to restore normal movement and functionality. Midwest Hand Therapy provides the highest quality assistance for each patient and their individual condition. If you are suffering from trigger thumb, or trigger finger, please contact our office today.
Trigger finger or trigger thumb is a condition that causes a finger or the thumb to get caught in a bent position, then “snap,” back to a straight position upon extension. When someone experiences trigger finger they know they need a doctor to look at it, but what type of doctor should they see?
Orthopedic doctors handle injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system, and within the field there are specialists. For trigger finger, look for an orthopedic doctor who specializes in hands, wrists and elbows—sometimes called a hand surgeon.
While many orthopedic doctors are surgeons, not all trigger finger treatment involves surgery. In fact, trigger finger is often treated without surgery. An orthopedic doctor who specializes in the hand will work with you on proper diagnosis and treatment to help alleviate or minimize the activity or situation that may be aggravating trigger finger. Other treatments may include resting the hand, applying cold packs, medications, injections, exercises and occupational therapy.
Early signs of trigger finger can include stiffness of the finger, tenderness at the base of the finger or a popping sensation. If you are experiencing any of these, contact Dr. Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan.
Most people understand that carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by repetitive movement. The reality, however, is that there are a number of conditions that can be caused or aggravated by repetitive movement, including tennis elbow, trigger finger, trigger thumb and tendonitis.
The interworking of the hands, forearms and elbows draws on a complex structure of bones, muscles, tendons and supporting structures. Tendons move through protective coverings to allow fingers, wrists and elbows to bend and flex. If these tendons are hindered in any way, pain can result.
While there are many difference causes of these types of conditions, from injury to genetics, one commonality is that repetitive movement can exacerbate the condition, making it more painful. For this reason it is important to seek out the help of an orthopedic specialist if you are experiencing ongoing pain in the hands, wrists, elbow or shoulder. Even slight pain can be a warning sign, and a hand specialist can work with you on a proper diagnosis and treatment.
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