Blog Category

Month: May 2018

Categories
General

How to Handle a Nail Bed Injury

Read Blog

A nail bed injury often occurs along with damage to other parts of the finger in the same area. This can include fractures of the bones, cuts to the nail bed or fingertip skin, cuts to the tendons of the finger, or damage to the nerve endings themselves. Nail bed injuries can be easily repaired by a skilled professional like those at Arora Hand Surgery.
 
 

What Causes a Nail Bed Injury?

Often, these injuries are a result of getting one’s finger caught in a slamming door. In addition, a cut, crushing injury, or pinch injury to the tip of the finger can also cause an injury to the nail bed.

Presentation

This type of crushing injury can lead to an extremely painful buildup of blood underneath the fingernail. Other nail bed injuries can lead to the nail cracking or splitting into pieces, can tear off pieces of the nail, or can lead to injuries to the surrounding area of the finger.

Diagnosing

It is necessary to spend some time talking to the patient to obtain an accurate history of what caused the injury. It’s recommended that you get an X-ray in order to check for any fractures associated with the injury, as they may also require treatment. It may be necessary to give the patient appropriate anesthesia and examine the nail, often with magnification, before one can completely evaluate the injury. Any additional medical issues that could affect wound healing should also be discussed.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to restore the nail and the finger to their original functional state. A basic hematoma can be drained by poking a small hole in the nail to eliminate the pressure that is building up and by providing the patient with pain medication. If surgical repair is required, the procedure is usually very straightforward. The goal is often to restore alignment of any fractures that have occurred, to repair the nail bed, and to reattach any detached fragments of bone.

The injury itself will partially determine the doctor’s ability to repair the finger and restore the nail bed to its normal state. If the nail bed injury is clean and sharp, it is likely that it can be fully repaired. If the nail bed has experienced severe crushing, there may be more scarring from the injury, and it may be more difficult to repair it fully. It all depends on the unique situation.

Treating Your Nail Bed Injury

For more information about how to handle a nail bed injury, speak with the experts at Arora Hand Surgery in Howell, West Bloomfield, Macomb, and Warren. We can determine the best course of action and help you begin the healing process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

Categories
Fingers General

Broken Knuckle vs. Fractured Knuckle

Read Blog

Knuckles are joints essential to the function of our fingers and hands.  They are the point where the phalanx bone of a finger meets with the metacarpal bone of the hand.  Each hand has five knuckle joints and twice as many knuckle bones.  It is rare that knuckles break or fracture, but not impossible.  They become vulnerable when the hand is clenched, and the fist is used to hit a hard surface.  If you are concerned, you may be dealing with a broken or fractured knuckle.

What Can Cause a Broken or Fractured Knuckle?

Impact on a hard surface is the main reason a knuckle may be fractured or broken.  With fractures, it is most common that the knuckle closest to the little finger is injured.  Breaks and fractures rarely happen in multiples.  However, the greater the trauma, the greater the chance of multiple injuries.  Examples of situations that can lead to broken or fractured knuckles are:

  • Fighting
  • Work accidents
  • Auto accidents
  • Sport injuries

What are Symptoms of a Fractured or Broken Knuckle?

If you have broken or fractured your knuckle, there will be a great deal of discomfort.  Your ability to perform daily activities will be affected.  If you have the following symptoms, it is likely you have a fractured or broken a knuckle:

  • Numbness
  • Pain following trauma
  • Trouble forming a fist
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling that affects the use of your hand
  • Bruising

Diagnosing a Broken or Fractured Knuckle

Broken knuckles are easily identified because of the excruciating pain you will immediately feel following the injury.  When we diagnose broken or fractured knuckles, we check for visual signs consistent with trauma.  Pressure touch will result in severe pain if the injury is present.  We may also use an X-ray or CT scan to pinpoint the exact location and severity of a fracture.

How are These Injuries Treated?

The treatment of a fracture or break of the knuckle depends on whether the knuckle has been displaced.  A non-displaced injury can sometimes be treated conservatively.  However, a displaced injury that has separated or fractured a segment of the bone will require surgery.

It is always best to try to avoid injury to the knuckles.  Avoid striking objects with your closed fist or breaking your fall with outstretched arms.  If you feel you may have broken or fractured your knuckle, make an appointment at Arora Hand Surgery in Warren, Macomb, West Bloomfield, or Howell. Contact us today to book your consultation.

Categories
Fingers General Hands

Common Sprained Thumb Symptoms

Read Blog

When the connective tissues of the thumb are damaged, the result is a sprain.  Typically, it is the ulnar collateral ligament that is injured.  Damage to the thumb can be a serious injury because the functionality of the hand is heavily dependent on its use. When the thumb is sprained, essential activities such as pinching or grasping we usually take for granted cannot be performed.  Recognizing sprained thumb symptoms can help you identify an injury so you can promptly seek treatment.  At Arora Hand Surgery, we diagnose and repair injuries to the thumbs, hands and other areas.

Causes of a Sprained Thumb

Your thumbs are made up of two bones called phalanges and two joints.  The joints are visible when you bend your thumbs.  Connective tissues, including ligaments, help keep the bones stable and prevent friction between them.  The ulnar collateral ligament, the main ligament in your thumb, connects your thumb’s base to the lower bone.  When the ligament is stretched too far or is torn, the result is a sprain. Most often, this occurs when the thumb is bent backward.  That said, sprains can occur gradually when the thumb is repeatedly strained over time.

Sprained Thumb Symptoms

The sprained thumb symptoms you may experience depend on the severity of your sprain.  You may not always have symptoms right away. As with most injuries, the most common symptom is pain.  You may find the pain is more severe during certain activities.  You may experience bruising or swelling.  Also, the base of your thumb may be tender.

When the sprain is severe, your thumb will immediately swell and bruise.  Your ability to grasp with your thumb and index finger will be impaired.  If you find that your thumb is unstable or lax, it is possible you have fully ruptured the ligament.  A ruptured ligament will require surgery.

Seeking Treatment

If you are experiencing any of the sprained thumb symptoms listed above, we urge you to seek medical attention.  Should diagnosis and treatment be needed, the experts at Arora Hand Surgery, specializing in exceptional treatment and restoration of damage to the hands, fingers, and thumbs, can help.  Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office in Macomb Township, Warren, Howell, or West Bloomfield.

Bill Payment Made Easy

Pay on the Go!

Get on the List

Subscribe

Patient

Stories

Read All

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.