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Conditions General

What is Dupuytren’s Syndrome?

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Dupuytren's contracture

Dupuytren’s syndrome or Dupuytren’s contracture occurs when scar tissue forms around the tendons that control key finger movements. It typically affects the tendons just beneath the palm of the hand and can make flexing the connected finger or fingers incredibly difficult. As this condition progresses and scarring becomes worse, thickening of the tissues and surrounding fascia will become evident at the surface of the skin by causing the dermis to dimple and pucker. Over time, people can lose the ability to extend their fingers fully, which can, in turn, result in diminished fine motor control, among other functional problems. In rare instances, Dupuytren’s contracture can even develop in other areas where it will affect movement within the feet, or various facial muscles.

The Causes and Symptoms of Dupuytren’s Syndrome

It often takes years for Dupuytren’s contracture to progress. For some people, however, the progression to noticeable surface puckering and severely limited finger movement happens at a much more rapid rate. Sadly, the exact cause of Dupuytren’s syndrome is currently unknown. It does, however, tend to be most common among those with seizure disorders like epilepsy, diabetes mellitus and long-term problems with alcoholism.

It can also be an inherited issue. Patients with parents or other close relatives who suffer from Dupuytren’s contracture tend to have a higher likelihood of developing this syndrome than others, particularly when genetic predisposition is paired with other risk factors. According to research, this disorder is most common in men of Northern European descent who are 50 years of age and older.

While any one of the fingers can be affected by Dupuytren’s syndrome, scarring that impacts the movement of the pinky finger and the ring finger is most common. Some of the early symptoms of this ailment include a small, painless lump at the outer portion of the palm, and the gradual stiffening of the associated fingers. Without intervention, these developments are invariably followed by a noticeable decrease in range of motion. These symptoms are also accompanied by surface evidence of the underlying scarring, given that severe scarring will often cause the skin to dimple and pucker across the affected portion of the palm.

Treatment for Dupuytren’s Contracture

Certain solutions can be injected into the affected area to slow or even reverse the accumulation of scar tissue that’s associated with Dupuytren’s syndrome. This contraction is ultimately the result of an abnormal build-up of collagen within the tissue that lies just beneath the skin on the palm. Injectable treatments may be capable of disrupting the chemical structure of this collagen, thereby breaking it down. As with all progressive ailments like this one, however, the prognosis for treatment outcomes is always best when the problem is identified and addressed in a timely fashion. As such, if you have a family history of this condition or have any other known risk factors, you should seek immediate attention from a licensed professional as soon as any abnormalities in the palms or the skin on top of your palms is identified.

If you are suffering from Dupuytren’s syndrome, our trusted doctor can provide you with the proper treatment plan for your needs at Arora Hand Surgery, located in Howell, Warren, Macomb, and West Bloomfield. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more.

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Conditions Fingers General

Symptoms of Finger Nerve Damage

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finger nerve damage

Your hand is a marvel of design. The human hand has a level of flexibility and dexterity that no other tool on the planet can match. Even though scientists and researchers are trying to mimic the functions and movements of the hands, the artificial alternatives that they create fall far short from the reality. What makes your hands such a powerful tool is the series of nerves that you have in your hands, as well as nerves located in other parts of your body that are designed to control and provide strength to your hands. As such, if you are experiencing finger nerve damage, you will likely exhibit a number of uncomfortable symptoms.

An example of a nerve in the finger is the radial nerve. This is a nerve that goes under your arm, controlling your triceps muscle. This nerve is also responsible for the twisting moments in your wrist and your fingers. It is what gives parts of your hands their ability to feel things and to have different sensations.

If you injure the radial nerve, you may be left with what is known as radial neuropathy. There are a lot of ways that you could damage this nerve. These include physical trauma, exposure to toxins, or infection. Often times, you will know that you have this form of nerve damage because your hands and your fingers feel numb. They may feel like they are burning, or they may feel like they are tingling. Another indication that you are dealing with this form of finger nerve damage is a weakness in your fingers. You may not be able to move your fingers like you used to, or it may be difficult to twist your fingers. If the nerve damage is addressed, you will see the strength in your fingers return.

There are a whole host of ways that you can damage the radial nerve. They include breaking the bones in your upper arm, sleeping with your arm in a weird or awkward position, pressure put on the back of your arm because you’re sitting in a chair in an awkward position, damage caused by using crutches for an extended period of time, hurting your arm by falling, or having your wrist in a constricted position for an extended period of time.

It is possible to develop finger nerve damage by doing repetitive movements. These can include movements that require you to grasp something while swinging another thing back and forth. There are other conditions that can affect your entire body that might damage your nerves. For example, kidney disease, diabetes, and some forms of inflammation can damage the radial nerve, which can then affect the strength in your fingers.

It’s important to remember that your fingers do not have any muscles in them for movement. All of your finger’s ability to move and their strength comes from your forearm and triceps. When the nerve that controls these muscles is damaged, the effect is felt in your fingers.

If you are experiencing symptoms of finger nerve damage, make an appointment at Arora Hand Surgery as soon as possible. Contact us today at our office in Warren, Macomb, West Bloomfield, or Howell to schedule a consultation and learn about your treatment options.

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Conditions General

Early Signs of Arthritis

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Arthritis

Arthritis doesn’t describe a single disease; it actually describes a group of joint diseases. There are over 100 types, and many are characterized by pain and stiffness in the joints. Some types affect other parts of the body like the skin, eyes or even the heart.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common type. The symptoms can vary depending on which joints are affected and on the severity of the disease. It most commonly affects the joints in the arms, legs, lower back and hips.

Pain, stiffness and tenderness are the earliest symptoms of osteoarthritis. In the early stages of the condition, the symptoms tend to be worse when the patient is physically active. They then fade when the patient rests. As the disease progresses, the symptoms persist even when the patient is resting.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

This is another common type, and it is caused by an autoimmune disorder that attacks the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects the knees, elbows, hips, shoulders, hands and feet. In its early stages, it resembles other types of arthritis. Unfortunately, the disease’s most characteristic symptoms, like the formation of nodules or the erosion of joints, don’t develop until the disease is fairly advanced.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the smaller joints first, so patients will usually feel pain and stiffness in their hands before their shoulders are affected. Wrist joints are often among the first to be affected, so a patient has trouble bending their wrist backwards even during the early stages of the disease. The patient will also often feel tingling and numbness in their hands and/or fingers. Other early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include fatigue, weight loss and a low-grade fever.

Other Types of Arthritis

Some of the other types, as well as conditions that can be related to the disease, include:

  • Metacarpophalangeal joint
  • Thumb basal joint
  • Kienbock’s Disease
  • Psoriatic
  • Joint replacement surgery

Treatment Options

If you are dealing with this troubling condition, take a moment to get in touch with the team at Arora Hand Surgery. There are treatments available that can help to alleviate your symptoms. We have offices in West Bloomfield, Howell, Macomb, and Warren. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn about your treatment options.

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Conditions General Hands

Addressing Vascular Disorders in the Hand with Compression

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Vascular Disorders

Most vascular disorders do not happen in the upper extremities. Most people have these disorders in their legs or in their feet. However, when vascular disorders do happen in your upper extremities, they are often serious and, if not quickly treated, can lead to lasting problems.

Your arteries are designed to bring oxygen-rich blood from your heart and send it to your hands and fingertips. The veins in your hands and fingertips then take that blood back to your heart so that it can be re-oxygenated and the process continues. In your wrist, there is a pair of arteries that have the job of providing oxygenated blood to your hands. If something causes these arteries to malfunction, you may need to address the vascular disorder using compression.

There are a number of vascular disorders that can affect your hand. The medical community has divided these into five primary groups. They include:

  • Traumatic
  • Occlusive
  • Tumors
  • Vasospastic
  • Compressive

When vascular problems affect your hands, you’re going to notice a number of symptoms. The primary symptom you will experience is pain. A less obvious symptom is a change in the color of your fingertips. When there’s a problem with the flow of blood to your hands, you may develop ulcers that do not heal on their own. Being in a cold environment may be unbearably painful, and you may have a constant sensation of numbness or tingling, especially in your fingertips. Some individuals will experience a localized swelling around the affected blood vessels. Compression treatment may be advised as a way of improving the blood flow in your hands.

Our doctor is going to be able to identify and evaluate the vascular problems that you have by doing a physical examination of you. He will also examine you to see if there are signs of swelling, if your veins are swollen and if there is any discoloration. He will likely check the temperature of your hands as well.

The most common cause for vascular disorders in the hand is trauma. For example, if you get stabbed in your hand with a knife, it may damage your blood vessel. Even a cut that appears to be minor or innocuous can lead to some serious damage.

The same applies to a blunt force injury. Depending on the location of the injury, your blood vessels may swell, which can lead to blood clots. The result of this is that blood will not be able to flow to your fingertips, making them turn white, making them cold and making them very painful. Other injuries that could lead to vascular problems in your hands may not be as serious, but can still prevent blood flow.

During a consultation at Arora Hand Surgery, Dr. Arora may talk to you about available compression therapies that are designed to encourage proper blood flow into your hand. The extent of the therapy you will need and the length of the treatment will vary depending on the injury you have experienced. Contact us today to book an appointment at our office in Warren, Macomb, Howell, or West Bloomfield.

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Conditions General

Diagnosing Arthritis

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arthritis

Diagnosing arthritis is not always a straightforward matter, for there are roughly 100 types. Our doctor will also want to rule out diseases that cause similar symptoms. Some unfortunate patients will even have more than one type, which further complicates matters.

What Will the Diagnosis Involve?

The first step involves taking a very detailed medical history. We will ask about the severity and duration of the symptoms. We will also ask about the patient’s family history and their health habits. We may also ask about the patient’s recreational or travel habits. Some contact sports, like soccer or basketball, involve quick turns that can lead to joint injuries. Similarly, we will also ask about the patient’s occupation and if it requires a lot of standing or repetitive motion.

After that will come a physical exam that will include a very detailed joint evaluation. Our doctor will make note of which joints appear swollen or otherwise abnormal. He will check the joints for range of motion and tenderness.

If our doctor can’t make a diagnosis based on the physical exam and medical history, he will probably order blood tests to look for antibodies or check the level of inflammation. He may also order imaging tests to get a better look at the affected joints. In most cases, he will order an X-ray, but he may order an MRI or ultrasound. Our doctor will look for cartilage loss, changes in the joint, inflammation, tears in soft tissues and other abnormalities.

What is Osteoarthritis?

This is the most common type of arthritis, and it is sometimes described as a “wear and tear” disease because it is generally caused by aging. As a person gets older, the cartilage at the ends of their bones starts to break down. There is, therefore, less cartilage to cushion the joints, and movement becomes painful.

Osteoarthritis can also be caused by obesity or joint injuries. Regardless of the cause, the symptoms associated with the condition include pain, stiffness, swollen joints and difficulty moving the affected joint. Unlike some other types, a patient with osteoarthritis does not feel ill or abnormally tired.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

This is another common type of arthritis, and it is an autoimmune system disorder. For reasons still unknown to scientists, the immune system attacks and damages the joints. The resultant symptoms of pain, swollen joints and stiffness may develop suddenly or gradually. The patient may also feel tired and have a reduced appetite.

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

This type is linked to the disease psoriasis, which is also an autoimmune disorder. Psoriasis affects the skin, and most patients with psoriatic arthritis develop the skin symptoms first. Patients with this type of the condition generally develop it when they are between 30 and 50 years old. They usually develop swollen toes and fingers.

Treating Your Condition

If you have arthritis, make an appointment at Arora Hand Surgery to learn about your treatment options. We have offices in West Bloomfield, Warren, Howell, and Macomb. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

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Conditions General Hands

Common Causes of Hand Problems in Children

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Problems in Children's Hands

You cannot overestimate how important the human hand is when it comes to development and the ability to achieve and complete tasks. There are a lot of congenital defects that may affect a child’s hands. There are a few hand problems in children that are very common, and they range from minor issues to some that are major and may require the child to have some sort of surgical correction.

Congenital problems with the hands stem from something that went wrong as the child was developing in the mother’s womb. It is important to recognize that as a child is developing, there are thousands of different processes that are taking place at the same time for every part in the body.

Arm development begins somewhere between four to six weeks after pregnancy. Over time, signals are sent that lead to the development of the bones, muscles and tissues that eventually end up being the hand. If at any time during this process just one step is confused or just one step is thrown off, a congenital hand problem can develop.

Some of the more common hand problems in children include:

  • webbed fingers
  • fused fingers
  • missing hands or fingers
  • extra fingers
  • fetal band syndrome.

Many people are surprised to learn that just about one out of every 20 children is going to have some kind of hand problem. Many of these hand problems are so minor that doctors do not need to do anything to correct them. However, others are so severe that if doctors do not take immediate steps to correct them, they can lead to problems for the child down the road.

As an example, if a child has webbed or fused fingers, this can be easily fixed through surgery not too long after the child is born. Or if the child has an extra digit, in most cases, surgery can be used to correct this. Most congenital hand problems in children can be treated using some form of surgery.

When treating hand problems in children, the end goal is to help the child have as normal a life as possible. If your child has an issue with his or her hand(s), schedule a consultation at Arora Hand Surgery, with offices in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, and Macomb. Contact us today to book an appointment to learn about the available treatment options.

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Conditions General Wrists

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

When a person has carpal tunnel syndrome, they will often feel a numbness or tingling in their hands. Their hands will feel weak, and they will not have the control over their hands that they did prior to developing the condition. This is because carpal tunnel syndrome puts pressure on the median nerve, which is located in your wrist. This nerve is essential for proper hand functioning and sensation.

The median nerve, along with other tendons needed for hand movement, run through your carpal tunnel. It is a small space that is located in your wrist. The median nerve controls all of your fingers with the exception of your pinky.

What are the Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The pressure that is put on the median nerve is usually due to swelling. However, it can be anything that makes that carpal tunnel space, where the median nerve and tendons travel, smaller. Some of the most common causes of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Repetitive hand movements
  • Pregnancy

What are the Most Common Symptoms?

Pain, weakness, a tingling sensation and numbness in the fingers are the most common symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. In some instances, people will have pain between their hand and their elbow.

Carpal tunnel syndrome often exhibits symptoms in the middle finger, the thumb and the index finger. You may also feel the sensation in the lower half of your ring finger. Since a different nerve gives the sensation to your pinky finger, it is not affected with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Most people say that they experience the most powerful symptoms at night. The symptoms can be so strong that they cause people to wake up and find relief by shaking their hand.

What Steps Can Be Taken to Diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

With carpal tunnel syndrome, our doctor will physically examine your hands and your arms. He will talk with you about health issues you may have, ranging from arthritis to diabetes. He will likely ask about any recent injuries to your arm, wrist or neck. Our doctor will be keenly interested in knowing about your daily routine. During the examination, our doctor can test your hand for strength, reaction time, sensation and endurance.

When it comes to getting treatment for carpal tunnel, the sooner you start, the better. The sooner you begin treatment, the greater chance you have of preventing long-term damage to the median nerve. The team at Arora Hand Surgery can come up with a customized treatment for you with the goal of eliminating pain and improving sensation and mobility in the affected hand. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, or Macomb.

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Conditions General Treatments

Diagnosis and Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is when the median nerve that runs through the wrist becomes compressed. This can happen when the tunnel that houses the nerve and tendons that connect to the fingers becomes irritated and causes the passageway to narrow. This leads to symptoms like numbness and tingling of the hand and fingers. It will eventually lead to weakness too, making it more difficult to grip items or do things like holding onto a steering wheel.

A number of factors can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome. One of them is the repetitive motion that frequently takes place in the workplace. Using the same hand motion over and over can eventually take its toll. Other factors can include diabetes or simply the individual’s hand anatomy. Some people’s tunnel is naturally smaller than most, making them more susceptible to the disorder.

If you are having symptoms that are consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome, our doctor can perform a series of tests in order to make a diagnosis. He may start by asking you about the symptoms. For example, the little finger is usually not affected by the problem. Numbness and tingling there may indicate a problem other than carpal tunnel syndrome.

Next, a physical examination of the hand may be conducted by checking the feeling in the fingers and testing the strength in the affected hand. Our doctor may even order an X-ray of the hand and wrist to rule out other problems like arthritis. More complex tests that check for electrical impulses may also be done, in some cases.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that is easier to treat when it is detected early. Mild cases of it may be cured by simply avoiding the motions that produce the symptoms as much as possible and taking more frequent breaks.

If these measures do not help, or if the problem has progressed too far before the individual seeks help for it, our doctor may recommend the use of a splint to immobilize the wrist for a while. This may be accompanied by the use of steroid injections, depending on the situation.

If the condition continues to get worse, more extensive treatments like surgery may become necessary. The purpose of these surgical procedures is to relieve the pressure on the median nerve. This may be done by targeting the ligament that is pressing on the nerve.

If you are having symptoms that could be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, you should have them evaluated by our doctor at Arora Hand Surgery as soon as possible. Diagnosing the problem sooner means it has a greater chance of being successfully treated with conservative measures. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, or Macomb.

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Conditions General

Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms, Signs & Treatment

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Psoriatic arthritis symptoms include inflammation in the hands, as shown here.

It’s important for patients to recognize psoriatic arthritis symptoms in order to seek proper treatment, which can be very effective in reducing the effects of the condition.

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that seems to be linked to skin psoriasis. This is an inflammatory type of arthritis that leaves sufferers with joint swelling and joint pain. It can eventually lead to permanent damage if steps are not taken to control the inflammation. Most people are able to prevent long-term joint damage by sticking to a regular routine of medication.

Psoriasis is a disease that causes your skin to turn scaly and red. Lesions can be seen throughout the body, but especially on the knees, elbows and scalp. This form of arthritis is usually diagnosed when a rheumatologist examines your clinical history, does an exam and looks at X-rays.

At times, individuals may develop the symptoms of the arthritis before psoriasis is visible on the skin. It is estimated that somewhere between 15 and 30 percent of individuals who are battling with psoriasis will eventually develop this form of arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis is often seen in individuals between the ages of 30 and 50. However, there are examples of individuals suffering from this disease early on in childhood. Unlike other diseases that may favor men over women or vice versa, this type of arthritis affects men and women equally.

Both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune disorders. Your body mistakes certain tissues as being dangerous, and so it tries to protect itself by causing these tissues to become inflamed. In skin psoriasis, the inflammation appears on your skin. However, in psoriatic arthritis, it is seen in your joints.

Like many other autoimmune disorders, this form of arthritis can range from a mild condition to something that is very severe and debilitating. There has been some link between the severity of a patient’s skin psoriasis and the severity of the arthritis in their joints.

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms can be seen in any and every joint in the body, or it may just affect one area. For example, it can affect all of your fingers or just one. When your fingers and toes are affected, they will look swollen. You may notice that your nails become thick and start to pit.

The good news is that psoriatic arthritis treatments are beneficial to the majority of sufferers. For example, there are certain anti-inflammatory drugs that may help in milder cases. Anti-rheumatic drugs may be prescribed as well. In some cases, drugs can be used to address both the skin condition and the joint disease.

Dealing with arthritis can be a challenge. Thankfully, it does not have to be a challenge that stops your ability to live life. Make an appointment at Arora Hand Surgery in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, or Macomb to learn about your treatment options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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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.