Hand Surgery
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the result of swelling in the lubricating membrane (synovium) of the wrist; reducing the space, or tunnel, where the nerve travels from the forearm into the hand. When this tunnel swells, the resulting pressure can cause irritation and pain in the nerves of the wrist.
- The condition can range from mild to severe with possible symptoms including numbness, weakness, pain, or loss of control of the fingers.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is often a repetitive strain injury resulting from performing the same motion(s) over and over in anything from computer to factory work. It can also be the result of conditions ranging from hormonal changes to sugar diabetes to arthritis.
- Preventative measures such as good posture, frequent breaks from repetitive motion, massaging and stretching your hands and arms to improve circulation reduce the risk of injury.
- Non-surgical treatmentin mild cases include rest, wrist splints, heat to relieve pain and/or cold to reduce inflammation.
- Anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID’s) or corticosteroid injections into the tunnel may also be prescribed.
- Persistent symptoms and advanced cases may require surgery. Cutting the ligament on the top of the carpal tunnel reduces pressure on the nerve.
- Numbness or tingling–that may extend to the thumb, the first three fingers, or the palm, it is especially common at night and after using the hands repetitively.
- Decreased sensation in the thumb and first two fingers.
- Weakness or reduced control in the grip or a tendency to drop things.
- Persistent pain in the wrist or forearm.
- The patient has the signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- After treatment, the patient experiences persistent pain, weakness, numbness or tingling.
- The patient experiences unexplained symptoms, other types of pain, or unexpected side effects from medication.
- Repetitive motion including tight grasping and bending of the wrist.
- Injury to the wrist, such as broken bones, which cause swelling.
- Arthritis.
- Sugar diabetes.
- Hormonal changes such as pregnancy and menopause.
- Hyper or Hypo thyroidism
- The length of recovery before resuming normal activities varies from several weeks to several months depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the injury.
- Following surgery, numbness may persist for a period of time in more severe cases, and some lingering tenderness at the incision site is common.
- Participation in a hand therapy program to improve strength, flexibility, and circulation following surgery.
Skier’s Thumb
Skier’s thumb commonly refers to a torn or sprained ulnar collateral ligament in the thumb. The ligament runs along the inside of the base of the thumb and assists in grasping, pinching and stabilizing.
- Injuries can range in severity from a partial to a complete tear.
- The term skier’s thumb is used because it refers to a situation where a person falls holding something in his or her hand. A person holding a ski pole cannot break a fall with the palm of his or her hand and often lands on the tip of the thumb, forcing the thumb beyond its limits of motion.
- Symptoms may or may not occur immediately.
- A doctor’s diagnosis may include X-rays of both the injured and uninjured thumbs for comparative purposes.
- Common treatment for a partial tear includes the immobilization of the thumb with a splint or cast.
- A complete tear may require surgery to repair the ligament and replace or remove bone that may have fragmented when the ligament ruptured.
Surgery is followed by 6-8 weeks in a cast or splint.
- Inability to grasp items between the thumb and forefinger.
- Bruising, tenderness, and swelling.
- Pain may present itself immediately following the injury.
- Increased looseness (laxity) or side-to-side motion at the base of the thumb.
- The patient has the signs and symptoms of skier’s thumb.
- After treatment, the patient experiences increasing pain or weakness in the thumb.
- The patient experiences unexplained symptoms, other types of pain, or unexpected side effects from medication.
- Skier’s thumb may result from falling while holding something in the hand.
- This injury is most commonly associated with falling while holding a ski pole.
- Patients can expect a full recovery following treatment.
- Recovery from a partial tear is 4-6 weeks. Consisting of initial complete immobilization, followed by a gradual increase in activity.
- With a complete tear, the patient can anticipate six to eight weeks in a cast prior to beginning strengthening and rehabilitation exercises.