If you’re an athlete, or associate with athletes, you’ve likely heard of someone visiting a specialist for a soft tissue massage. Soft tissue massages are especially popular among athletes because they help prevent injury.
Soft tissues include muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves. Applying firm direct pressure to an affected area can help prime an athlete’s muscle tissues before a heavy bout of exertion. This form of massage also helps muscles relax and minimizes an athlete’s stiffness after a race or sporting event. But, soft tissue massages, especially those conducted on the hand, wrist, and arm, offer benefits for a number of people, not just those who have a game tomorrow!
Soft tissue massage can support and benefit:
Those with a hand injury: Since soft tissues tend to tighten up following an injury, soft tissue massage helps to achieve relaxation, pain relief, and eventually a return to mobility.
Those with inflammation or swelling: Soft tissue massage has been proven an effective method for increasing the absorption of excess fluids and reducing swellinginsoft tissues.
Those with general discomfort: Recurring pain from past wounds, burns, breaks, fractures, and even amputations can be treated with soft tissue massage.
Every patient and situation is different, therefore soft tissue massage treatment at Midwest Hand Therapy is customized for each person. If you are an athlete, or someone that is experiencing discomfort, inflammation, or swelling, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact our team for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation: (586) 532-0803.
Are you experiencing joint numbness or tingling in your hands? There are various conditions associated with joint numbness and tingling. While no amount of online research can substitute for a professional consultation and diagnosis, here are some of the most common causes of joint numbness:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common cause of joint numbness. It occurs when the median nerve that controls movement and sensation in the hand is squeezed or compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel (a narrow passage in the wrist designed to protect the nerve). This pressure causes irritation of the nerve and often results in numbness, tingling, pain and weakness in the hand and fingers.
Trigger Finger or Trigger Thumb: Repetitive motion injuries such as trigger finger or trigger thumb can also cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. Trigger finger and trigger thumb often occur due to an occupation or hobby that requires intense and repetitive hand motions each day (for example, operating a hand tool, playing a guitar, or sewing).
Tendonitis: Tendonitis is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome but is the inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a tendon (no one tendon in particular). When tendons in the wrist or near the hand are affected by tendonitis, symptoms may include a burning sensation, hand numbness and tingling.
Until your condition is properly diagnosed, it cannot be treated. As mentioned earlier, there is no substitute for a professional consultation. For more information on joint numbness or to schedule an appointment, contact Midwest Hand Therapy.
Arthritis is the inflammation of one of more joints. This inflammation occurs because of a cartilage breakdown. Healthy cartilage allows our joints to move smoothly and absorb shock when pressure is placed on the joints. When cartilage breaks down, the area where two bones meet is no longer protected – this results in pain, inflammation and stiffness. Ouch!
But why does this breakdown of cartilage occur?
Contrary to common misunderstanding, arthritis is not associated solely with aging. It is, in fact, associated with general wear and tear on joints, but can also be caused by infection, an autoimmune disease, or even a broken bone. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common.
Common symptoms of arthritis include:
Pain around the joints (this pain may be in the fingers, wrists, knees, ankles, heels, neck, shoulders, back, or hips)
Swelling around the joints
Warmth around the joints
Redness around the joints
Reduced movement of the joints
Stiffness (may be worse in the morning than the afternoon)
While the underlying causes of various types of arthritis often cannot be “cured,” professional treatment helps to reduce joint pain and improve function. Treatment can also help to prevent the condition from worsening.
Arthritis as well as many other types of joint conditions can best be treated when diagnosed early, which is why it is so important to receive a professional diagnosis. If you are suffering from any of the above-mentioned symptoms, contact Dr. Rehman at Midwest Hand Therapy for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation.
Ulnar nerve entrapment (or ulnar nerve neuropathy) is a painful condition that affects the outer side of the arm and hand near the little finger. This pain is caused by pressure on the ulnar nerve (located within the arm) and is often a sign that the ulnar nerve is trapped or pinched.
Because the ulnar nerve passes through many tunnels within the arm, many conditions or injuries could cause the nerve to become compressed or pinched. Causes include:
Elbow fractures
Growth plate injuries
Wrist fractures
Infections
Tumors
Diabetes
Alcoholism
Even problems originating at the neck
Bicycler’s neuropathy
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Guyon or Guyon’s canal syndrome
The ulnar nerve provides sensation to the flexor muscles of the hands, allowing for bending, which makes this condition all the more painful – many of us rely on our hands all day long!
What are the symptoms?
Hand, wrist and arm pain can be an indication of a number of conditions. However, symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment may include:
Weakness
Tenderness
Tingling in the little finger (your pinky finger)
Elbow tenderness
How do I know if I have ulnar nerve entrapment?
The very best thing you can do if you are experiencing arm, wrist or hand pain is to see a hand specialist. Hand specialists, such as Dr. Rehman, can diagnose and treat your condition before it worsens.
Upon an extensive evaluation, your doctor can recommend a course of treatment. Ulnar nerve entrapment can often be treated through occupational therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, or splinting. In some cases, surgery may be recommended, depending upon on the severity of the entrapment.
Are you experiencing pain, stiffness, weakness, numbness and tingling in the wrist, hand and fingers? If so, you may have tendonitis. Tendonitis is the inflammation of tendons – the flexible bands of fibrous tissue that connect our muscles to our bones. Normally tendons glide easily when the muscles expand and contract. If a tendon becomes inflamed, however, this smooth gliding motion can become impaired, resulting in pain and discomfort.
The most common cause of tendonitis is overuse, which means that it canbe prevented. Did you know that you can prevent many tendon and nerve issues by taking regular breaks from working, exercising your hands to promote strength and mobility, and practicing correct posture and form while working?Maintaining a healthy weight and good cardiovascular health is important too, as good blood flow to the tendons keep them from becoming inflamed.
Mild cases of tendonitis can be treated by a professional that specializes in upper extremities. Midwest Hand Therapy sees patients of all ages including athletes, musicians, office workers, as well as people recovering from reconstructive surgery.
Preventing inflammation may involve resting or immobilizing the hands, applying cold packs, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections, hand wrist and arm exercises, and occupational therapy.
Most nerve and tendon damage can be successfully treated when diagnosed early, which is why it is so important to seek medical treatment. If you are suffering from wrist or finger pain, contact Dr. Rehman at Midwest Hand Therapy for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation.
Drive around town and chances are you’ll see lots of buildings belonging to doctors and dentists – many of whom are specialists in their own specific fields.
At Midwest Hand Therapy and Macomb Hand Surgery we’re often asked “What is a hand specialist?” … “What exactly does a hand specialist treat?” And most importantly, “Can you help me with my specific condition?”
A hand specialist is a term used to describe a hand surgeon; you may have also heard of them referred to as “orthopedists.” Hand specialists specialize in the orthopedic or plastic surgery of the hand, fingers wrist and forearm. Some orthopedists, such as Dr. Rehman, also specialize in elbow and shoulder conditions.
Now, before you get nervous or think that a “hand surgeon” may not be the right doctor for you, understand that a hand surgeon does not just do surgery. They care for a variety of conditions with and without surgery. They truly are specialists of the hand.
Hand specialists treat:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow
Fractures
Dislocations
Sprains
Strains
Phalanx & Fingertip Injuries
Crush Injuries
Tissue Loss
Amputations
Extensor Tendons
Flexor Tendons
Scar Management
Nerve Compression Syndromes
Tendon & Nerve Injuries
Joint Replacements
Sports Injuries
Replants
And More!
And, hand surgeons will often recommend non-surgical treatment such as hand therapy to treat many of the above-mentioned conditions. If you have experienced an injury or are currently experiencing discomfort, pain, or lack of motion, contact our team.
Even if something within your hand, wrist or forearm just “doesn’t feel right,” it is best to consult a hand specialist. A certified hand specialist can identify and treat the condition before it progresses into something worse.
Have your fingernails thickened and become unsightly? The bad news is that you may have a fungal infection; the good news is that it’s treatable!
Even though nail fungus is a relatively common problem, it doesn’t make the condition any less embarrassing – sometimes these conditions are painful too! Nail fungus can cause your fingernails to split, crack, loosen, or grow in the wrong direction.
The causes of nail fungus vary from trauma to disease and hereditary conditions. Fungus is normally present in the human body, but can be adversely triggered by other elements, such as sweat or too much exposure to water or humidity. The unfortunate reality is that some of us are just more susceptible to this condition than others.
Nail fungus starts with a fungal skin infection and then quickly spreads underneath the nail. For example, a fingernail infection may occur if you have a toenail infection and continually scratch your itchy toes. The fungus may then infect the skin around the cuticle and quickly spread underneath the nail. If you have recently lost or damaged a nail, your fingernail and the skin beneath it become even more susceptible to various types of fungal infections.
So, what steps need to be taken to return to beautiful and healthy fingernails? First, see a qualified and experienced doctor. Failing to treat nail fungus can result in the fungus spreading from one nail to the next, and can also result in the condition going from remotely mild to serious, in which case you may experience extreme discomfort. Nail fungus could also be a sign that there is a larger fungal skin infection present in your body, or, you are having issues with your immune system. Only your doctor can properly diagnose your condition.
Another reason to see your doctor is because over-the-counter treatments generally do not help clear up fingernail infections. Nail fungus often requires prescription-strength anti-fungal medication.
Depending on the severity of the infection, a physician may remove the nail. Once the fungus is cleared up the nail will regrow and replace your damaged nail. Because nails grow slowly, a new and healthy nail may take up to a year to grow back.
If you are suffering from nail fungus, please contact our office for an appointment. Dr. Rehman will provide a comprehensive evaluation and consultation to make sure that your fingernails become healthy again.
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that occurs when there are microscopic tears in the tendon that never completely heal. These tendons often become inflamed, which leads to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, especially when lifting objects or cocking back the wrist. This pain often radiates down the forearm as well.
Tennis elbow is not uncommon, especially among athletes, and can usually be treated with conservative methods, so long as it is diagnosed early. If you believe that you have tennis elbow, it is recommended that you contact a hand, wrist and elbow specialist immediately to prevent further damage.
Upon meeting with a specialist, such as Dr. Rehman, some or all of the following remedies may be used to treat your specific condition. We take extreme care to provide individual guidance and personal recovery plans needed to aid patients, so that they can return to maximal functionality and productive living. If you’re an athlete, our goal is get you back in the game as quickly and safely as possible.
Relief and recovery for tennis elbow may include:
Resting from the activity causing the condition
Anti-inflammatory medication
Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
Applying cold packs
Physical therapy
A forearm brace (not necessary for all patients; this depends on the severity of the condition)
Tennis elbow surgery (not necessary for all patients; this depends on the severity of the condition)
If you are suffering from elbow pain, contact Dr. Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As mentioned above, and with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness and a comprehensive treatment plan is the most effective way to combat the effects of conditions like tennis elbow.
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.
While not all carpal tunnel syndrome treatment involves surgery, it is sometimes necessary in order to provide relief. Minimally invasive carpal tunnel surgical treatments employ a small incision, either in the wrist or at the wrist and palm and small instruments to allow doctors to see and work on the structures in the wrist without making a large incision.
During carpal tunnel release surgery, the transverse carpal ligament is cut in order to release pressure on the median nerve, relieving carpal tunnel symptoms. Tiny cutting tools are inserted through the incision(s) and used to cut the ligament. By cutting the ligament pressure on the nerve is released, and the ensuing gap in the ligament will eventually fill with scar tissue. The small incision(s) are then stitched up. With minimally invasive surgery many patients can go home without a hospital stay.
If you have wrist pain or carpal tunnel syndrome, contact Dr. Rehman. As a top-rated Michigan hand surgeon Dr. Rehman can provide a full evaluation an recommend course of treatment.
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