Hand Surgery, Shoulder Surgery, Arthritis Joint Pain

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Hand Procedures

Arthritis of the Hand

It is estimated that one out of every five people living in the United States has at least one joint with signs or symptoms of arthritis. The hand and wrist have multiple small joints that work together to produce motion. This gives the fine motion needed to thread a needle or tie a shoelace. When the joints are affected by arthritis, activities of daily living can be difficult. Arthritis can occur in multiple areas of the hand and wrist. It can have multiple causes.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Hand

The carpal tunnel is a narrow, tunnel-like structure in the wrist. The bottom and sides of this tunnel are formed by wrist (carpal) bones. The top of the tunnel is covered by a strong band of connective tissue called the transverse carpal ligament. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common source of hand numbness and pain. Although it is often associated with repetitive hand movements, such as typing, carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by many things. Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in women than men.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (Ulnar Nerve Entrapment) - Hand

Ulnar nerve entrapment occurs when the ulnar nerve in the arm becomes compressed. When this happens, the nerve does not function normally. The ulnar nerve is one of the three main nerves in the arm. It travels from under the collarbone and along the inside of the upper arm. It passes through a tunnel of tissue (the cubital tunnel) behind the inside of the elbow. Here you can feel the nerve through the skin. It is commonly called the "funny bone”.

Distal Radius Fracture

Distal radius fractures are very common. In fact, the radius is the most commonly broken bone in the arm. The radius is the larger of the two bones of the forearm. The end toward the wrist is called the distal end. A fracture of the distal radius occurs when the area of the radius near the wrist breaks.

Dupuytren's Contracture

Dupuytren's contracture is an abnormal thickening of tough tissue (fibrous layer) underneath the skin of the palm and fingers. It is the thickening of this tissue that can cause the fingers to curl. Dupuytren's contracture is more common in men than in women. The cause of Dupuytren's contracture is not known. It is not caused by an injury. It is not a cancer.

Flexor Tendon Injuries

Tendons are tissues that connect muscles to bone. When muscles contract, tendons pull on bones. This is what causes some parts of the body to move. The muscles that move the fingers and thumb (the flexor muscles) are located in the forearm, above the wrist. Most often the flexor tendons are damaged by a cut. Additionally, Athletic injuries are also commonly contribute to flexor tendon injuries.

Fracture of the Finger

Without proper treatment a fractured finger can cause major problems. The bones in a normal hand line up precisely. They let you perform many specialized functions, such as grasping a pen or manipulating small objects in your palm. When you fracture a finger bone, it can cause your whole hand to be out of alignment. Without treatment, your broken finger might stay stiff and painful.

Ganglion (Cyst) of the Wrist

Ganglion cysts arise from the capsule of a joint or the sheath of a tendon. They can be found at different places on the wrist. A ganglion cyst that grows on the top of the wrist is called a dorsal ganglion. Others are found on the underside of the wrist between the thumb and your pulse point, at the end joint of a finger, or at the base of a finger.

Hand Fractures

Fractures of the hand can occur in either the small bones of the fingers (phalanges) or the long bones (metacarpals). They can result from a twisting injury, a fall, a crush injury, or direct contact in sports. Signs and symptoms of a broken bone in the hand include: Swelling: Tenderness: Deformity: Inability to move the finger: Shortened finger: Finger crosses over its neighbor when making a partial fist: Depressed knuckle.

Nerve Injuries

Nerves are fragile and can be damaged by pressure, stretching, or cutting. Injury to a nerve can stop signals to and from the brain, causing muscles not to work properly, and a loss of feeling in the injured area. Pressure or stretching injuries can cause fibers within the nerve to break. This may interfere with the nerve's ability to send or receive signals, without damaging the cover.

Thumb Fractures

A broken thumb is a serious problem. It affects the ability to grasp items. A broken thumb can increase the risk of arthritis later in life. Although a break can occur in any of these bones, the most serious breaks happen near the joints. This is particularly true when the fracture occurs at the base of the thumb near the wrist.

Trigger Finger - Hand

A trigger finger occurs when the motion of the tendon that opens and closes the finger is limited, causing the finger to lock or catch as the finger is extended. The cause is not always known. Trigger fingers are more common in women than men. They occur most frequently in people who are between the ages of 40 and 60 years of age. Trigger fingers are more common in people with certain medical problems, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Wrist Fracture (Scaphoid Fracture) - Hand

The scaphoid is one of the small bones in the wrist. It is the wrist bone that is most likely to break. The scaphoid is located on the thumb side of the wrist, in the area where the wrist bends. Fractures of the scaphoid occur in people of all ages, including children. The injury often happens during sports activities or a motor vehicle accident. Men aged 20 to 30 years are most likely to experience this injury.

Wrist Joint Replacement (Wrist Arthroplasty)

Joint replacement surgery in the wrist is less common, but can be an option if you have painful arthritis that does not respond to other treatments. The typical candidate for wrist replacement surgery has severe arthritis, but does not need to use the wrist to meet heavy demands in daily use. The primary reasons for wrist replacement surgery are to relieve pain and to maintain function in the wrist and hand.

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