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Month: December 2016

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General Wrists

Common Causes of a Sprained Wrist

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If you have ever had pain and swelling in your wrist after an event such as a fall, which may have caused you to bend the wrist farther than it was designed to bend, you may have a sprained wrist. These injuries occur because of damage to a ligament, the connective tissue in the body that connects muscle and bone.

What Causes a Sprained Wrist

When you fall, the natural tendency is to reach out with the hand in order to break the fall. As a result, the impact of the hand hitting the ground and the momentum created by your body travelling toward the ground at a rapid speed causes the wrist to bend further than it is capable of bending naturally. When this happens, something has to give. Since the tendons are there to connect the tissue together, they are what get stretched to the point of injury. The injury could be that of a tear or it could be something less traumatic. At any rate, an injury occurs that is accompanied by pain, swelling and difficulty in using the wrist.

Diagnosis & Treatment of a Sprain

If you have a fall that results in an injury to your wrist, you should seek medical care. You will, first of all, want to make sure there are no broken bones. The only way to rule this out is to get an X-ray. If there are no broken bones, you will still need to be treated for the sprained wrist.

The method that is used to treat a sprained wrist will depend on the extent of the injury. It may be that wearing a splint for a few days will be all that is needed. In extreme cases, surgery may be required. If there is a ligament tear, it will need to be reconnected.

If you have a sprained wrist, you should understand that there are a number of bones, ligaments and cartilage that must connect and interact correctly for the wrist to function as it should. For this reason, letting an injury go without having it evaluated by a qualified hand doctor like Dr. Arora can lead to long-term discomfort and failure to regain full use of the wrist. Therefore, you should always seek treatment in these situations.

In addition to falls, other conditions can result in wrist injuries as well. For example, operating a piece of equipment that is held by the hand can result in an injury if that equipment makes a sudden move and takes your wrist with it. In these cases, the injury incurred could be similar to those incurred with a fall.

There are other wrist conditions that can happen over time, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. These cumulative trauma disorders can reach the point where they cause a lot of discomfort.

If you have a sprained wrist or a similar type of condition, schedule an appointment with our doctor at Arora Hand Surgery. We have offices in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, and Macomb. Call us today to request a consultation to learn more about your treatment options.

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General

Benefits of Having a Board-Certified Hand Surgeon

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If you are facing the possibility of hand surgery, you obviously want the procedure done by a surgeon with the necessary skills to do it right while using the most effective methods. The question then becomes one of how to know whether or not your surgeon is among those who have the highest qualifications. Seeing a board-certified hand surgeon can eliminate the need to be concerned over whether or not you are getting a qualified doctor.

Not only is it important to have a board-certified doctor regardless of the field of specialty, but you especially want the best available if you are facing surgical procedures for your hand(s). Think for a moment about how we use our hands. If you have a job, you likely use your hands to make a living. Whether you use them for manual labor or something like pressing keys on a keyboard, you need your hands.

After work, you return home and use your hands to hug the kids or go out into the backyard for a game of catch. You come in afterwards and use your hands to eat dinner. The list can go on and on. The fact is we need our hands. Therefore, it stands to reason that you want a hand surgeon who is capable of doing the job in a way that maximizes your chances of getting the full use of your hands back.

Board-certified physicians must demonstrate that they are on top of their game when it comes to education, skill and experience. Doctors must be licensed in the state in which they plan to practice. Licensure does not mean the doctor is qualified as a specialist. That’s when you want to see if he or she is board-certified.

Depending on the area of specialty, doctors can become board-certified through one of 24 member boards that are part of the American Board of Medical Specialties. For doctors to become certified, they must not only have been trained at a qualified medical school followed by three to five years of residency, but they must also pass exams and be committed to a lifetime of learning in order to stay current with the latest medical developments. Board certification does not stop there. Certified doctors must demonstrate that they are following best practices when it comes to the safety of the patients, in addition to communication and ethics.

Seeking certification is voluntary on the part of the doctor. However, it should not be taken lightly. On the other hand, because it is voluntary, the act of going through the procedures to become certified in itself demonstrates a high level of commitment on the part of the doctor.

If you are looking for a doctor that you can be assured is well-qualified, look no further than our board-certified surgeon at Arora Hand Surgery. Dr. Arora can be your guide to a better quality of life when it comes to your hands. Visit his office in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, or Macomb so that he can assess your condition and come up with a personalized treatment plan for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our board-certified hand surgeon.

Categories
General Treatments

Alleviate Chronic Pain with Hand Surgery

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No one likes to think about having hand surgery, or most any other type of surgery for that matter. Doctors do not take the situation lightly when they recommend surgery either. Nevertheless, it is sometimes necessary, especially for individuals who have been suffering from chronic pain and nothing else they have tried has brought any relief. If you are in a situation like this, it may very well be that hand surgery is a more attractive option than continuing to live in pain. Any discomfort from the process of recovering from surgery is short-lived. The chronic pain has already proven to be long-lasting, which is why you are considering hand surgery in the first place.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common reason for which many people undergo wrist and hand surgery. It happens when the median nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel becomes irritated. This can happen if the space through which the nerve passes becomes too narrow and pinches or otherwise puts pressure on the nerve. People who have jobs that involve a lot of repetitive motion of the hands and wrist are at a higher risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome than the general public.

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include pain in the wrist, forearm, palm and fingers. If the problem persists and does not improve with other treatment methods, it may be necessary to perform wrist and/or hand surgery to open up the tunnel in a way that takes the pressure off the nerve.

De Quervain tendonitis is another condition that can cause chronic pain around one or both hands. It is caused when the tendons at the base of the thumb that connect to the wrist become irritated or inflamed. Like carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive motion is often what leads to its development. People who have the condition often have trouble making a fist or turning the wrist. It can also be difficult to hold objects in the hand. Whenever treatments like cortisone injections and anti-inflammatory medications have not brought improvement, hand surgery may be the only other option.

Another source of chronic pain can be a condition known as trigger finger. It gets its name because it causes the fingers or thumb to lock in a bent position. Trying to straighten them can be extremely painful at times. It happens when the tendons that control the movement of the fingers and thumb become irritated. Over time, the irritation causes them to thicken within the sheath that surrounds them. While it is unknown exactly what causes it, people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or gout have a higher risk of developing it. If treatments like corticosteroid injections do not help, hand surgery may be necessary.

If you have any of these or other conditions that are causing you a significant amount of hand pain or are making it difficult to use your hands, you might want to consult our team at Arora Hand Surgery to find out if surgery is a viable option. As much as you may want to avoid going through surgery, it may be your best answer to avoiding a life of pain.

Arora Hand Surgery has offices in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, and Macomb. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more.

Categories
Conditions General

Gout vs. Pseudogout: What is the Difference?

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Both gout and pseudogout are types of arthritis characterized by inflammation of a joint. Both are caused by an abnormal accumulation of crystals in a joint. Despite the similarities, there are important differences in gout vs. pseudogout.

Different Chemicals and Crystals

Gout is caused by an abnormal buildup of urate or uric acid. A certain amount of urate within the body is normal, and the excretory system expels any excess naturally. In a person with gout, the excretory system doesn’t expel enough urate, and it accumulates within the patient’s blood stream. As it accumulates, the urate forms crystals that typically gather in a joint and irritate and inflame it.

In pseudogout, the crystals are made of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP). The crystals form in the cartilage and eventually leak into the joint fluid. At this point, they cause a painful attack of arthritis. Researchers have not yet determined the cause of the abnormal buildup of CPP crystals, but they have noted that it tends to happen after an illness or injury involving the affected joint.

Gout vs. Pseudogout: Different Risk Factors

Various conditions can increase the risk of developing gout. As per the stereotype, obesity is one such risk factor, especially if the patient is also male and at least middle-aged. Gout is more common in men. Younger people can develop the condition, especially if it runs in their family. African Americans are more likely to develop it than are Caucasians. Health problems linked to gout include diabetes, high blood pressure, bone marrow disorders, some blood disorders and severe psoriasis. Diuretics and other medications that increase uric acid levels can also cause gout.

Gout has also been linked to certain habits. For example, drinking a lot of alcohol increases the chances of developing the condition. People who don’t get enough Vitamin C in their diet or drink too many sugary drinks are also more likely to develop it.

A susceptibility to pseudogout may run in families. Like gout, it is much more common in older people; most patients are at least 60 years old. Pseudogout is commonly seen in people who also have osteoarthritis, thyroid trouble and various disorders affecting the metabolism of iron, calcium or phosphate. Kidney problems increase the risk of developing both conditions. Unlike gout, neither gender nor ethnicity seems to affect susceptibility to pseudogout.

Different Joints are Usually Affected

On paper, gout can affect any joint, but about half of all cases involve the big toe. In many of the other cases, the wrist, fingers or heel are affected. Pseudogout most commonly involves the knee. Other common sites are the wrist, shoulder, hip or ankle.

What About Prevention?

So far, researchers have not found any links between pseudogout and a patient’s habits. For example, while there is a link between gout and obesity, no such link has been found for pseudogout and obesity.

A patient with gout might be able to prevent further attacks by cultivating healthy habits. If they drink, they should at least reduce their alcohol intake. If they are overweight, they should follow an exercise and diet regimen to lose weight.

Get All the Facts

If you are experiencing symptoms of either of these two conditions, make an appointment at Arora Hand Surgery to see how your situation can be addressed. You don’t have to live with your painful condition. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office in Macomb Township, West Bloomfield, Howell, or Warren.

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Dr. Aroras office from my first call to schedule my appointment was friendly. Walking in the first day, I felt like I was in a nice atmosphere. Dr. Arora was EXCELLENT in taking great care of my hand injury. He was gentle and very understanding to the concerns I had about my hand. His expertise was admirable and I would recommend anyone with an injury to their hand to his office to be under his care. Because of him, I have healed faster than expected and will make an 100% recovery! Thank you Dr.

Jackie S.

I first thought I was going to have to have painful injections or surgery, but Dr. Arora suggested physical therapy may do the trick. I was doubtful, but I agreed to do it. Now, my pain is gone, and with the help of an ergonomic keyboard at work to keep my hands in the correct position, I am virtually pain free. The therapy strengthened my wrists and shoulders, and built more flexibility into my wrists.

Jerry T.

My experience with this doctor was positive from the outset. Dr. Arora was kind and spent a great deal of time with me. Staff was friendly. The office was nice and bright.

Ariel G.

Very friendly and helpful Great staff!!! Doctor Arora was very professional and did great work. I was very happy with everything!

L B.