Most people will, at some point in their life, suffer from an ingrown nail. Whether it’s a fingernail or toenail, you know how pesky and painful a seemingly simple issue can be. The fact of the matter is that while these are not life threatening, ingrown nails are not something to take lightly, as improper treatment can lead to infection and loss of the nail.
If the ingrown nail is cutting into the skin there is a high risk of infection and it needs to be treated immediately. Often, patients suffering from this will try and self-treat by cutting the nail; however this may not solve the problem and can actually make it worse, potentially leading to chronic ingrown nails.
If you have been suffering from an ingrown nail, you should be aware of the symptoms of infection. These may include:
Brittleness, splitting, cracking or thickening of the nail or crumbling at the outside edges
Change in the shape of the nail
Loosening or lifting up of the nail
Yellowing or other discoloration
If you find that you have any or all of these symptoms, you should contact a doctor specializing in the treatment of nail infections, as over-the-counter medications often do not effectively manage these types of conditions.
If you may be suffering from a chronic ingrown nail, contact Dr. Rehman today for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan! We will get you on the path to healing!
Arthritis doesn’t mean that you can’t keep moving – in fact the opposite is true! According to the CDC, regular physical activity can help reduce pain, improve function and mobility as well as enhance the mood and quality of life of arthritis patients. Often arthritis comes with additional chronic conditions, like heart disease, obesity and diabetes, conditions which can also be improved by regular physical activity.
So what types of physical activity help patients with arthritis? It is recommended that individuals participate in moderate intensity, low impact physical activity. This includes a combination of both aerobic exercise and strength training. The most important part of an exercise regimen is to find something that the patient loves to do and will remain consistent with.
Aerobic exercises that are ideal for arthritis patients include vigorous walking, cycling swimming, group fitness classes, dancing and water aerobics. The selection should be based on a few things – the severity of the condition, the interests of the patient and the current physical state of the patient. Diving into an aggressive exercise regimen can be overwhelming and the most important factor is consistency.
In addition to 2-3 hours of aerobic exercise per week, you should also include 2-3 sessions of strength training. By strengthening the muscles around the joints, you are providing relief and stability. Strength training should be based on the individual’s current state and goals – for beginners working with resistance bands is a great option. If you have existing muscle, we recommend calisthenics and a weight training program.
Last but not least – balance exercises are great to ensure the safety of patients, particularly those who are at risk of falling. We recommend gentle yoga, walking backwards, single leg exercises and breathing exercises. These should be performed under the supervision of a therapist, coach or trainer.
Before starting any type of exercise program, patients should receive an evaluation and discuss a plan with their doctor. If you believe you may be suffering from arthritis, contact Dr. Rehman for an evaluation.
A tissue loss amputation is a procedure that is performed by a hand surgeon to manage an injury to a digit or the hand. Amputations may be immediate or post-trauma depending on the particular condition. Every case is unique but we identified some common factors in determining if amputation is required. When it comes to digital amputations, there are four types of injuries.
Type I include distal tip amputations – these involve only a small portion of the nail bed. When these injuries are free of exposed bone or tendon, they can be treated with irrigation and dressings. These injuries typically heal well with positive cosmetic and fully functional results.
Type II involve any injury that encompasses <50% of the nail bed and a significant portion of the finger tip. Often these injuries are treated with a shortening and closure of the wound. If such a large portion of the nail bed is compromised, it is unlikely that maintaining the nail will produce positive results. Removing the nail bed will avoid conditions like hook nail – which can be painful and result in significant complications down the road.
Type III injuries are amputations through the distal interphalangeal joint, aka your second knuckle. In clean injuries replantation can be considered but there are many factors in predicting the success of such an endeavor. Recovery from this type of amputation is significantly greater than Type II as more nerves are involved as well as a compromised grip.
Type IV injuries spare a significant amount of dorsal tissue – if the tissue area lost is less than 1x1cm and the bone and tendon are not exposed, these injuries can heal with flushing and wrapping. In instances where the loss is greater, local flaps may be applied to cover up the exposed areas. Unlike other areas, grafts do not take well in Type IV injuries and are typically not used.
Should you have the unfortunate circumstance of requiring this type of treatment make sure that you are seeing a board certified surgeon who specializes in hand surgery. The digits and hands are such a sensitive area that seeking appropriate treatment as soon as possible is critical. Questions? Contact us today!
While few studies have been conducted on the correlation between the cold and arthritis, a general consensus amongst patients show that most feel that the effects are worse when the temperatures cool down. Because we enjoy listening to our patients we wanted to come up with a few ways for those who do suffer from this challenge to improve their symptoms in the chillier times.
Some people suggest that the drop in barometric pressure chambers result in the increased aches and pains – others that the moisture or lack thereof causes it. Regardless, we found a few ways to deal with the challenges the colder months bring!
Wear Layers – these will keep you warm outside and you’re able to shed them when you get inside. Keeping warm will help regulate your body’s temperature so as not to experience such drastic drops!
Exercise Indoors – you don’t want to become sedentary just because the weather has cooled down. Take your exercise indoors to maintain the healthy blood pumping activity all year round. Whether you enjoy workout DVDs, have a home gym or simply walk the mall, stay moving!
Stay Safe – wear the right shoes, avoid icy surfaces and don’t overdo the shoveling or other winter activities. One of the most important things patients with arthritis can do is prevent further damage.
If you are suffering from arthritis or think you may be developing the condition, contact us today to help you build a comprehensive plan for managing your condition! Got tips for keeping yourself safe in the winter? Share them with us!
Puffy Hand Syndrome, medically known as edema of the hands, is a condition where the hands experience severe swelling. While puffy hands can be a symptom of conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis and gout, it is often a result of an autoimmune disease or chronic drug use.
Typically this condition is a complication of long-term intravenous drug usage and/or a viral infection such as Hepatitis C. It can also be caused by lymphatic obstruction, where there is an accumulation of fluid in the issues or thrombosis. Primary thrombosis is known as Paget Schoetter syndrome and it occurs in healthy adults who partake in strenuous exercise. The other most common cause of thrombosis is long-term central venous catheters – patients may develop this condition as a result of having catheters in excess of 15 days.
While puffy hand syndrome is painless, it can create functional, aesthetic and social challenges where the use of hands is critical. The syndrome is believed to be caused by venous and lymphatic insufficiencies that are caused by abuse of the veins and lymph nodes with intravenous drugs including heroin. Typically, the long term use of intravenous drugs causes infections as well as complications due to the toxicity of the drugs and the agents they are cut with.
Identifying the root cause of Puffy Hand Syndrome is critical to treatment. Obtaining a clear patient history, combined with testing for conditions like Hepatitis C, RA and gout are all incredibly important.
If you suspect that you are suffering from Puffy Hand Syndrome or seeking treatment on behalf of someone else, please contact us today. We specialize in identifying and treating hand conditions and our experienced team will guide you every step of the way.
An occupational therapist is someone who helps develop, recover or maintain the basic life and work skills of individuals living with physical, mental or developmental conditions. This client centered practice is customized to individual patient needs and challenges. These therapists focus on task modification, environmental adaptations, skill mastery as well as coaching families, loved ones and caregivers on how to support the occupational therapy process.
Occupational therapists can specialize in a variety of areas including children and teens, health and wellness, mental health, productive aging, rehabilitation and work and industry therapy.
These areas include the following types of activities:
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including:
Bathing
Dressing
Feeding
Functional Mobility
Personal Grooming
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) including:
Care of others
Care of Pets
Child Rearing
Driving
Financial Management
Meal Preparation
Shopping
Emergency Maintenance
Rest & Sleep
Education
Work including:
Employment interests and acquisition
Job performance
Retirement
Volunteering
Play
Leisure
Social Participation
The therapists will walk you through the occupational therapy process which includes evaluation, intervention and outcomes. At Dr. Rehman’s office, we have a team of two exceptionally talented occupational therapists who specialize in hand therapy. Our team is here to help you overcome any challenges you are facing and provide you with a long-term plan for success!
Custom splinting is a procedure that utilizes the hand therapists unique skill set to fabricate and provision customized splints for upper extremities. These splints are manufactured by moldable, low-temperature thermoplastic materials that allow the splint to be custom to not only the patient’s size but also their injury.
Custom splinting is most commonly used to treat conditions like muscle strain, neuritis,tendonitis, joint pain as well as specialized hand surgeries. These splints have exceptional benefits that you can’t obtain from a standard splint. In addition to providing rest for the strained or inflamed areas, the customized design insures that your appendage is resting in the correct position. These splints also can do the opposite of rest – they help to mobilize your stiff joints, scar tissue and contracted soft tissue.
Not only can they rest and mobilize but they can also help adjust for paralyzed or weak muscles, allowing you to use the appendage more effectively than with a traditional splint. If you have recently had surgery, these splints can offer additional protection as they can be molded to have barriers to common areas of post-op injury.
These customized splints do more than just stabilize, mobilize and protect, they can also help to rehabilitate post-op by providing therapeutic exercise for the affected areas. Immediately after surgery, they may be designed facilitate the early motion protocols that will help set up the individual for a more successful recovery.
Midwest Hand Therapy is experienced in developing custom splints and offers the ability to make modifications as needed to ensure that the splint is doing exactly what it needs to do!
Contact us today to find out more about our customized splinting to find out if your condition can be managed with a custom splint.
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 is nothing more frustrating than pins and needles. Couple that with numbness and you have yourself quite the annoying condition. Usually this is the result of keeping an appendage in one place for too long – for instance – sitting on your feet. However if the numbness and/or tingling is persistent and doesn’t go away it could be a sign that there is a greater issue.
Since our office specializes in hand-related injuries and conditions, we are going to share with you some common causes of numbness and tingling in the hands.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – this ailment is a common causes of numbness and tingling, as the repetitive bending and straightening of the wrist causes tissue around the tendons to swell, impacting the Median nerve.
Ganglion Cyst – these non-cancerous fluid filled lumps can develop along tendons or joints, putting pressure on nerves which can result in tingling and numbness.
Flexor Tendon Injury – in the hand, flexor tendons are responsible for helping us bend the fingers. If you experience trauma to your flexor tendon, you may notice numbness in your fingers or finger tips.
Skier’s Thumb – this condition is caused by a disruption to the ulnar collateral ligament and results in a loss of ability to pinch or use your thumb properly. It can happen over the course of time or from a single trauma.
Numbness and tingling can be a sign of a more complex issue – but please, don’t self-diagnose. It is critical that you are seen by a professional, due to the complex and fragile nature of the hand and wrist.
If you experience numbness or tingling – do not wait to contact a doctor. Dr. Rehman is available to help diagnose and treat you! Contact us today!
Electric Stimulation, commonly referred to by practitioners as EStim, is a therapeutic modality that uses electrical currents to simulate the same currents produced during exercise or movement. These electrical currents stimulate the nerves and help restore the ability to perform common movements, such as grasping or pinching.
This therapy is frequently used for patients that have paralysis or immobility of the hand or wrist using electrodes that are placed in the affected area. Your practitioner will generally start out using a low-grade stimulation and continually increase as you move through the therapy process. This treatment is used in conjunction with other modalities to provide a comprehensive therapeutic solution to injuries and chronic conditions.
Electrical Stimulation is non-invasive, and while it may sound scary, it is actually a very gentle treatment for many complex injuries. In addition to stimulating the nerves and muscles, it also increases and promotes blood supply to the area, which helps the healing process.
Not only does electronic stimulation help heal, it can also help reduce pain through stimulating sensory nerves using a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation unit or a “TENS” Unit. TENS Units are great for patients with chronic conditions such as arthritis and carpal tunnel, as they provide relief while also providing stimulation.
Do you have questions? Perhaps concerns that you may be suffering from a chronic condition? Contact us today to find out more about the comprehensive treatment plans we can offer you!
serving Detroit,Troy, Southfield, Warren, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights,
Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Utica, Washington MI, Bloomfield Hills, Lake Orion, Clarkston, White Lake, Waterford,
Commerce Township, Mount Clemens, Clinton Township, Chesterfield, Harrison Township, Pontiac,
Center Line, Fraser, Roseville, Clawson, and all the surrounding areas
