Hand therapy is typically done as part of a rehabilitation program, typically by an occupational or physical therapist. Therapy may be recommended for conditions ranging from carpal tunnel to trigger finger to tendonitis. Therapy may be prescribed to strengthen the hands and alleviate pain. Hand therapy is also often prescribed as part of a post-operative regimen.
Hand therapy is typically performed by a specialist with a high degree of training and may also require continuing education and advanced certification. This goal of hand therapy is to help patients return to a productive lifestyle.
Hand therapy may be prescribed to accomplish the following, among other reasons:
Management of acute or chronic pain
Desensitization following nerve injury or trauma
Sensory re-education after nerve injury
Improved motion, dexterity, and/or strength
Conditioning prior to returning to work
If you are experiencing hand pain, stiffness or loss of strength or dexterity, contact Dr. Rehman for a full evaluation.
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.
With the new year upon us perhaps you’ve made a resolution to be more active. That’s a good goal, but being laid up by an injury is frustrating, and untreated injuries can lead to extended problems later. If you’re a sports or exercise enthusiast, there are a few things you can do to help avoid injury.
Always warm up. Many times in our hectic society it seems there simply isn’t time to properly warm up. But warming up is one of the best ways to avoid an injury. Muscles that have been adequately warmed up are less susceptible to injury. Warm up should consist of easy aerobic and flexibility exercises that build gradually. Another alternative is to begin playing or exercising, but gently at first, building gradually.
Don’t exercise or play tired. Injuries are far more likely when you are fatigued, as inattention or lack of strength can result in a careless injury. Also, more or harder exercise is not always better. Muscles and bones need proper rest in order to function at maximum efficiency. Get the right amount of sleep, and If you’re tired, take a break that day.
Wear the right equipment. Make sure you have the proper safety gear and that it is fitted properly. Inadequate gear or gear that is too big or small can result in injury. Take the time to properly “suit up” so that you can enjoy yourself to the fullest.
Be sensible. Taking care of your body is the smart way to insure that you remain injury-free. If you do get injured, however, make sure to consult with a specialist to insure proper treatment and healing.
The carpal tunnel is a passageway within the wrist surrounded by wrist (carpal) bones and the transverse carpal ligament. Through this “tunnel” or passageway are nine tendons and the median nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tissue around the tendons swells and puts pressure on the nerve.
While anyone can get carpal tunnel it tends to be more prevalent in women and older people. And while the exact causes may remain unknown, the following are some factors that can contribute to carpal tunnel.
Heredity. If this passageway within the wrist is smaller, due to heredity, an individual can be more susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Repetitive motion.Repeating the same motion over and over can aggravate the tendons and bring on swelling that leads to carpal tunnel symptoms.
Pregnancy. Due to hormonal changes and water retention, pregnant women can experience carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other health conditions. Anything that might cause swelling, like rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, diabetes, thyroid gland conditions and more can result in carpal tunnel syndrome.
While symptoms of carpal tunnel include hand pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness, these can be symptoms of other conditions. It is best to have any symptoms checked by an orthopedic doctor, who is extensively trained in the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Proper diagnosis by your orthopedist insures you will get the proper treatment.
“Tennis elbow” can be a misnomer; in many cases tennis was never involved. Also called lateral epicondylitis, it occurs when the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow become damaged and/or inflamed. Sometimes it is a result of of racquet sports, but often it is also caused by repetitive motion. Common symptoms of tennis elbow are pain in the elbow when cocking back the wrist or when lifting heavy objects.
Stretching and strengthening exercises of the forearms and hand can help to prevent tennis elbow. It is also important for racquet sports players to adequately warm up and to insure their equipment is properly fitted. Whether at work, home or on the court, take periodic breaks from repetitive movement and stretch the arms, hands, wrists and elbows.
If you are currently suffering from pain on either the outside or inside of the elbow, see an orthopedic doctor or a hand surgeon to insure proper diagnosis and treatment of your condition.
If you suffer from hand pain and suspect you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, it is best to seek medical help sooner rather than later. Because the hand is a complex structure, hand and wrist pain can be indicators of many types of problems, from sprains to tendonitis. No matter what the cause, the sooner you see a specialist the less likely you are to lose strength and mobility in the hand.
Signs of carpal tunnel can range from tingling in the fingers to an ache in the palm and/or wrists. Carpal tunnel can be very disruptive and result in loss of coordination and strength in the fingers and/or thumb. Proper diagnosis and is necessary to treat carpal tunnel, and a qualified hand specialist can perform tests and an evaluation to help determine the right course of treatment.
Hand and wrist pain can be caused by a number of issues. While carpal tunnel is perhaps the best-known ailment, hand or wrist pain that seems to be aggravated by repetitive movement doesn’t necessarily mean you have carpal tunnel. A qualified orthopedic doctor or surgeon who specializes in the hand can work with you to determine the cause of hand, finger or wrist pain and help determine the proper course of treatment.
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.
Often when patients experience pain or an injury they know that the services of a specialist are required. But, what type of doctor do they need?
Orthopedic doctors handle injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system, and within the field there are specialists. For carpal tunnel, look for an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hands, wrists and elbows—sometimes called a hand surgeon.
While orthopedic doctors are called “orthopedic surgeons,” not all carpal tunnel treatment involves surgery. In fact, carpal tunnel is often treated without surgery. Often times a doctor will work with you to alleviate or minimize the activity aggravating carpal tunnel. Other treatments may include splints, medications, injections, exercises and occupational therapy.
If you are experiencing pain in the wrist, contact Dr. Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation. Not all wrist pain is carpal tunnel syndrome, and proper diagnosis is critical to proper treatment.
Macomb Hand Surgery is a comprehensive hand surgery center that runs under the supervision of Dr. Uzma Rehman, a certified Hand Surgeon who has been in practice for more than 10 years. Our experienced and friendly staff will make you comfortable the moment you enter our office. We also offer state of the art hand rehabilitation by our highly trained and professional hand therapists. Working as a team we have helped thousands of patients achieve excellent results after hand surgery. We strongly believe in patient education and make them part of the decision making process.
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
