| |
Bumps on the hand or wrist are most often ganglion cysts: a fluid-filled sac that bulges up. They can appear quickly, and disappear just as quickly. But sometimes the cysts remain, and are unsightly or cause impaired function or pain in the hand or wrists. Why these cysts develop is still unknown, but they are more common in younger people from ages 15 to 40, and they are more common in women than in men. One theory posits that they are caused by repetitive motion of the hand or wrist. Gymnasts have been noted to experience the problem more frequently, due to the extra stress and pressure on their hands and wrists.
Treatment for ganglion cysts is often non-invasive, and may involve the use of wrist splints to immobilize the hand, thus allowing the overworked area to rest. Sometimes this can reduce the cyst. If the cyst is quite bothersome or painful, an aspiration procedure may be performed. In this procedure, the affected area is numbed and a needle is inserted into the fluid-filled cyst, withdrawing the fluid. This can relieve the pressure that may have been placed on nerves or tendons, causing the tingling or pain in the hand or wrist. If the cyst grows back, sometimes this procedure can be repeated with success.
Failing that, and if the cyst is quite bothersome or creating pain, a surgical procedure may be required. In this case a special orthopedic surgeon such as Dr. Rehman will perform a procedure to remove the ganglion and its root. This is typically an outpatient procedure, and the patient can go home later in the day. Splints and dressings are required, and often Occupation Therapy is prescribed to return full strength and range of motion to the hand and wrist. Because the structure of the hands and wrists is so delicate, it is best to have a specially trained doctor, such as a hand surgeon, perform this procedure.
If you are experiencing pain, stiffness or tenderness in your hands, arms, should or elbow, contact Dr. Rehman today at 586-532-0803. Her team of orthopedic experts will implement a comprehensive treatment plan to help you attain a full recovery.
More Info on Ganglion Cysts
This common surgery has improved by leaps and bounds over the surgery of years ago, when a large incision was made in the palm of the hand in order to access the necessary ligament. Now, top hand surgeons can use minimally invasive techniques that typically do not require an overnight hospital stay, and generate a much smaller incision and therefore shorter healing time.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome involve tingling, numbness and sometimes pain in the wrist and the hand. Because the transverse carpal ligament is pressing on the median nerve, these symptoms can persist despite the best efforts at treatment. In this case, surgery may be the only solution.
Specialized hand surgeons, such as Dr. Rehman, use high-end technology and miniature tools to make the procedure less invasive. A small incision is made at the wrist or at the wrist and palm, and the specialized tools are used to cut the carpal tunnel ligament to relieve the pressure on the median nerve. The incision is then closed, and the body’s own natural healing will form scar tissue to fill in the resulting gap in the ligament.
A period of rest of the hand is usually prescribed, with concomitant physical therapy designed to improve flexibility, range of motion and strength. Dedication to the exercises and the suggestions of the specialized hand therapists can vastly improve the outcome following surgery. If you had surgery on your non-dominant hand, or if you don’t have to do high-risk, repetitive activities, you may be able to return to work in one or two days.
The delicate structures of the hand require specialized training and years of experience to master. Seek a Board Certified Osteopathic hand surgeon such as Dr. Rehman to get you back to a full recovery. Call our office today for more information at 586-532-0803, or contact us right here.
More Info on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Our hands and wrists are ultra-sensitive structures, and they can be easily damaged, resulting in pain, tingling, stiffness, weakness, numbness and swelling. The causes of these myriad symptoms may be obesity, which puts pressure on the tendons and ligaments, and the channels through which they run, or other factors such as an injury, stress or overuse. Arthritis can play a role in tendon and nerve damage, as can diabetes.
Tendon and nerve damage can often be reversed and healed if proper treatment is sought early on. Non-invasive methods will often result in success, thereby avoiding more invasive procedures.
Some of the more common approaches are:
Activity modification
The application of ice and rest
Anti-inflammatory medications
Steroidal injections
Splinting or immobilizing the area
Specialized exercises to strengthen or stretch the area
Being aware of the overuse of your hands and wrists, and warming them up before sports or repetitive activities can help avoid damage to tendons and nerves. If you work at a computer for long hours, keep your posture erect and your wrists straight, using an ergonomic keyboard or even splints. If you perform other repetitive tasks with your hands, take a break every hour and do the following:
Rest your forearms on the edge of your table or desk and bend your wrists and fingers back toward you; hold for 5 seconds.
Gently press your hand against your table or desk, spreading the fingers, and hold for 5 seconds.
Clench your fists tightly, hold for 5 seconds, then release, fanning out the fingers. Do this 5 times.
If pain, numbness, tingling, warmth or stiffness are present in your hands, wrists, arms, elbow or shoulder, seek out an experienced, Board Certified osteopathic doctor such as
Dr. Rehman for a thorough work-up and a comprehensive treatment plan. The sooner you start, the more likely you will be to achieve healing and freedom from unpleasant feelings in your hands and joints.
Unusual prickling sensations can happen in any part of the body, but the hands are wrists are especially likely for this condition to develop. Sometimes the sensations go away quickly, like when you sit on your feet and they “fall asleep”. But if numbness and tingling are on-going issues, the underlying cause could be more serious.
Common conditions that can cause numbness and tingling in the hands are:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Caused by compression of the Median nerve that runs through your wrist, this often is the result of repetitive motion activities. Certain occupations are more at risk for this condition: butchers and meat packers, sewing and finishing workers, data entry personnel and some assembly line workers. Repetitive bending and straightening of the wrist causes tissues around the tendons to swell and impact the Median nerve.
Flexor Tendon Injury: Flexor tendons in the hand are responsible for helping us bend the fingers. An injury or a trauma to one of these tendons can result in a tingling or burning sensation.
Ganglion cysts: These are noncancerous, fluid-filled lumps that can develop along joints or tendons, putting pressure on nerves and causing a tingling sensation in the hand.
Skier’s Thumb: So called because it is a common snow skiing injury, in this situation an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament results in not being able to pinch the thumb and fingers together, and can involve numbness or tingling.
Since numbness and tingling are signals that something is not right with the nerves in the affected area, it is best not to self-diagnose or self-treat. The hands and wrists are delicate structures that can perform amazingly complicated maneuvers, and we want to keep them that way! If you are experiencing tingling or numbness in the fingers or hands, contact a Board Certified Orthopedic doctor such as Contact Dr. Rehman for a full evaluation and comprehensive treatment plan. She has a team of hand specialists that work with her, who can get you back to full mobility and make those annoying sensations go away for good!
The tendons in the body are the flexible bands of fibrous tissue that connect the muscles of our body to our bones. Normally the tendons glide smoothly when muscles stretch or contract. But inflammation in the tendons can cause the gliding motion to be impaired, causing pain and discomfort. At Macomb Hand Surgery we specialize in treating the hands and fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulder with a variety of methods. If you are experiencing pain, numbness, weakness, stiffness or tingling in these areas, you may have tendonitis.
Sometimes tendonitis can be caused by overuse of a muscle or limb; golfers or tennis players may experience tendonitis. Warming up the limb before use, stretching the muscles, and taking frequent breaks from the repetitive activity can rest the muscle and reduce the likelihood of tendonitis. Many tendon and nerve issues can be prevented by regular breaks and exercises to strengthen the muscle. Practicing the correct form while performing the activity can also prevent the injury and damage that leads to tendonitis. Maintaining a healthy weight and a regular exercise program is also helpful, as good blood supply to the tendons helps them to stay lubricated and reduces the chance of injury.
A variety of approaches will be used at Midwest Hand Therapy to treat your tendonitis. First, a thorough evaluation by Dr. Rehman, a Board Certified Orthopedic surgeon, will be performed. The treatment team may then implement solutions such as rest or immobilization of the affected area, the application of cold packs, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections, hand, wrist or arm exercises and/or occupational therapy.
Most nerve and tendon damage can be treated successfully if intervention is undertaken early. If you are experiencing pain, stiffness or numbness in your upper extremities, contact Dr. Rehman today.
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.
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.
|
|
|
