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Choosing Between the Ideal Hand Surgeons in Michigan

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hand surgeons

Your hands are vital to your ability to function normally every day. From holding eating utensils, pens, and pencils to tying your shoes, you use your hands countless times each day for tasks that you may take for granted. When you suffer an injury or illness to your hands, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of hand surgeons in the Michigan area. There are so many reasons why Dr. Arora at Arora Hand Surgery is steps above other hand surgeons. We invite you to schedule a consultation at our office in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, or Macomb to see firsthand why Dr. Arora is the go-to hand surgeon in Michigan.

What is Hand Surgery?

Hand surgery is any medical procedure that treats conditions of the hands, wrists, forearms, or fingers. It is most commonly performed by highly trained and accredited hand surgeons. Patients of all ages can undergo hand surgery. Hand surgery can be invasive, or it can be minimally-invasive. It all depends on the situation.

Hand surgery is used to treat a host of illnesses and injuries to the hand, forearm, fingers, and wrist. Some of the most common conditions addressed with it include:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Wrist pain
  • Cuts on the finger and hand
  • Sports injuries to the hand or wrist
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

Our experienced hand surgeon in Michigan will diagnose your condition and determine what kind of operation would best suit your needs.

How is Hand Surgery Performed?

Most hand surgeries can be performed relatively quickly and require only minimal cutting. You will first be sedated with a certain type of anesthesia. During the procedure, our doctor will repair the bone, muscle, tendon, ligament, nerves, blood vessels, or other structures that contribute to your illness or injury.

Depending on the type of surgery that was performed, you may be allowed to go home with very little aftercare instructions. Or you may need to follow our hand surgeon’s instructions to the letter to enjoy optimal results. Again, it depends on the situation.

Getting Started

Hand surgery can help you regain normal use of your hands, wrists, forearms, and fingers. The type of surgery that you will undergo depends on the condition from which you suffer. If you have been researching your options regarding hand surgeons in the area, look no further than Dr. Arora at Arora Hand Surgery. During a consultation with us in Howell, West Bloomfield, Warren, or Macomb, our surgeon can diagnose you and recommend the best procedure for you. Contact us today to schedule your appointment in Michigan!

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General Treatments Wrists

Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Carpal tunnel syndrome

Arora Hand Surgery has locations in Macomb Township, Warren, West Bloomfield, and Howell. It is led by Dr. Avery Arora, who specializes in hand, elbow and wrist surgery. Dr. Arora earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin and served both his internship and residency in General Surgery at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. He then earned a Fellowship in Hand Surgery at the University of Colorado’s Department of Orthopedics. He has also earned board certification in both General Surgery and Hand Surgery. Dr. Arora is a member of the American Association of Hand Surgery and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. If you are dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome, Dr. Arora is your go-to doctor.

What Services Does Arora Hand Surgery Offer?

Arora Hand Surgery provides a range of treatments for conditions affecting the hand, fingers, forearm, wrist and elbow. Some of the conditions, like Dupuytren’s contracture, are peculiar to the hand, while others, like skin cancer, are not.

Other conditions that can be treated at Arora Hand Surgery include the following:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Sprains
  • Lateral epicondylitis
  • Arthritis
  • Trigger finger
  • Fractures

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and How is it Treated?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is basically a pinched nerve in the wrist. It is caused by increased pressure on the median nerve. Symptoms include tingling, pain and numbness in the fingers, hand and arm.

Treatment options vary and can depend on the cause. While it is often not possible to determine the exact cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, it is sometimes linked to diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and some thyroid conditions. In this case, treating the disease can at least improve the symptoms.

If there is no known cause, and the syndrome is relatively mild, our doctor may recommend splinting the wrist to keep it straight and relieve pressure on the nerve. The patient may wear the splint at night to relieve any symptoms that are interfering with their sleep. Our doctor may also suggest using the affected hand less. In certain cases, he may recommend a steroid injection to reduce the nerve’s swelling.

In severe or unresponsive cases, our doctor may recommend carpal tunnel release, a surgical procedure in which the ligament that runs across the wrist and the median nerve is cut to make more room for the latter.

Make an Appointment Today

Dr. Arora and his team at Arora Hand Surgery are committed to providing patients in the area with first-class care. If you are dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome or any other condition affecting the hand, fingers, wrist, elbow or thumb, set up an appointment at our office in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, or Macomb as soon as possible. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

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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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Fingers General Treatments

Finger Nerve Damage Treatment and Diagnosis

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Finger nerve damage treatment can help you regain normal function in your hands, like simply gripping a phone.

Your fingers are invaluable to your ability to function each day. They perform critical tasks like tying your shoes, grasping doorknobs, handling eating utensils, and dozens of other things that you might take for granted. When you suffer nerve damage in your fingers, you quickly realize how important they are to your everyday life. You can regain your function and continue your daily routine without issues by learning what finger nerve damage is and how you can treat yours at Arora Hand Surgery.

As its name implies, finger nerve damage is damage to the nerves in your fingers. This condition can be caused by any number of factors like:

  • Injuries
  • Repetitive stress
  • Diseases like diabetes
  • Poor circulation

Finger nerve damage can affect people of any age, but it especially targets adults who suffer from illnesses like diabetes or work jobs that require them to perform repetitive tasks. However, it is one of the easier nerve conditions to diagnose and treat as long as it is addressed early before it results in permanent damage to the fingers.

Diagnosis

We may use a series of tests to determine if patients suffer from nerve damage in the fingers. We may diagnose you with this condition if you suffer from symptoms like:

  • Pain anywhere in your fingers
  • Tingling
  • Numbness
  • Burning
  • Visible deformities like drooping
  • Limited motion
  • Inability to use fingers properly or at all
  • Underlying disease like diabetes or poor blood circulation

If you have any of these symptoms, you may be diagnosed and treated for finger nerve damage.

Finger Nerve Damage Treatment

Nerve damage in the fingers responds well to a variety of treatment options. Depending on the severity and cause of your nerve damage, you may be advised to undergo a number of treatments. It is recommended that you follow the advice of our doctor if you want long-lasting or permanent relief from your finger nerve damage.

You can learn more about your treatment options for finger nerve damage during a consultation with Dr. Arora and his team at Arora Hand Surgery. We have offices in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, and Macomb. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get started.

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General Hands

Broken Hand Symptoms

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broken hand symptoms

There are 27 small bones in the hand. If there is a small break or fracture in one of these bones, then it can be extremely difficult and painful to use your hand. Since we rely on our hands to perform almost every task, you do not want to lose the use of a hand for too long because of a broken bone. The best way to ensure that you can quickly restore functionality to your hand is by seeking immediate treatment any time you believe that you may have a broken hand. There are some key broken hand symptoms that can indicate that you should visit our specialist as soon as possible.

There is absolutely no reason to avoid proper treatment for a broken hand because it should be very easy to notice that there is something seriously wrong with it. It usually takes an acute injury to break a bone in your hand. Some of the most common causes of broken hands are falls, sports injuries and accidentally crushing your hand. All these injuries will instantly cause pain, so they should be impossible to ignore.

In addition to the injury itself, the distinct broken hand symptoms also make it extremely easy to diagnose. A broken hand will cause you to experience swelling, bruising and intense pain. These symptoms will make it extremely difficult to move your fingers or grasp an object. In addition, the overall weakness in your broken hand will greatly limit your ability to perform normal tasks.

If you are struggling to use your hand after an accident or injury, then you need to get the hand checked out by our specialist as soon as possible. Permanent damage to your hand is the last thing you want to happen because you did not seek medical treatment. Once you arrive for your appointment, you will get an X-ray of your hand. This will allow our doctor to diagnose the problem and figure out the best treatment. Our specialist may also ask questions about the injury and feel your hand for a more accurate diagnosis.

Most broken hands will be treated with a splint to stabilize and immobilize the hand. The splint will remain on your hand until the broken bones are able to fully heal. Broken hands are known to throb at night, so you will be given pain medication to make it easier to sleep. You will also want to keep the broken hand elevated as much as possible while recovering. This will help reduce your pain and swelling.

Since every injury is different, it is hard to know exactly how long it will take to recover from your broken hand. If you follow all of our doctor’s instructions, then you should have a smooth recovery. Once the broken bones have fully healed, you will regain most, if not all, of the functionality in your hand.

If you are experiencing some of the more characteristic broken hand symptoms, you should seek medical care as soon as possible from our trusted specialist at Arora Hand Surgery in Warren, Howell, West Bloomfield, and Macomb. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment and discuss your broken hand symptoms with Dr. Arora.

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General Treatments

What Does Dupuytren’s Contracture Surgery Involve?

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Dupuytren’s contracture surgery

Dupuytren’s contracture is a hand deformity caused by abnormally thick tissue that develops in the palm and can spread to the fingers. Over years, the patient develops knots of tissue under the skin. Those knots gradually become thick cords that pull one or more fingers into a permanently bent state. The patient eventually has difficulty performing such activities as shaking hands or putting on gloves. Dupuytren’s contracture usually affects the fourth and fifth fingers. The condition is most common in older men of northern European descent. Fortunately, Dupuytren’s contracture surgery is usually not necessary, as the condition can typically be treated with non-surgical methods.

How is Dupuytren’s Contracture Treated Without Surgery?

Mild cases may not need to be treated at all, and our doctor may simply monitor the patient to see if the condition gets worse. However, in many cases, the condition needs to be professionally treated. Non-surgical options that do not involve Dupuytren’s contracture surgery include a special enzyme injection called XIAFLEX. This may be used to make the tissue weaker and softer. Our doctor may then try to straighten the affected finger.

Surgical Procedures

The two most common surgical procedures are the fasciotomy and the subtotal palmar fasciotomy. The first is a straightforward outpatient procedure in which the surgeon cuts the cord of tissue in half. In the subtotal palmar fasciotomy, the surgeon removes the corded tissue. The patient may then have to wear a splint. If the patient has a severe or neglected case, the surgeon may also need to release stiff ligaments or joint capsules to make the finger straighten properly. The patient will generally need to undergo physical therapy for a set amount of time. Treatments may include stretching, heat treatments and soft tissue massage. The therapy will help prevent the contracture from returning, and it will help prevent the accumulation of scar tissue. The patient may have to wear a splint as well to keep the contracture from redeveloping.

Schedule a Consultation Today

As we previously mentioned, Dupuytren’s contracture surgery is oftentimes not required, as Dr. Arora and his team of professionals at Arora Hand Surgery proudly offer various non-surgical treatment options for the condition. During a consultation at our office in Howell, Warren, West Bloomfield, or Macomb, Dr. Arora can evaluate your specific case and come up with a treatment plan for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get started.

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General

Symptoms of Dupuytren’s Syndrome

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Dupuytren's syndrome

The hand is a vitally important part of the body because it is used to perform hundreds of normal tasks every day. One small problem with one of your hands can make it extremely difficult to live a normal life. This is why it is so important to look for and treat any abnormalities in your hands. One of the most common medical problems that affects the hands is Dupuytren’s syndrome.

Dupuytren’s syndrome is a medical condition that causes a deformity in the skin tissue near the palm of your hand. Large clumps of tissue will start to form under the skin. This will eventually cause a thick knot to form on the hand. If the knot is allowed to grow for an extended period of time, then it will cause your pinky and ring fingers to bend. The knot can become so big that it is impossible to straighten these fingers. The condition will only continue to get worse as you age, so you want to get it treated as quickly as possible.

The earliest symptom of Dupuytren’s syndrome is a thickening of the skin on your palm. This skin will eventually become dimpled before the large knot forms. It will not be painful to touch the lump in your palm. While Dupuytren’s syndrome can occur on both hands at the same time, one hand will be more deformed than the other.

The cause of Dupuytren’s syndrome is not currently known, but the condition is most common in men. It is known to be hereditary. If someone in your immediate family had this hand deformity, then you will likely get it too at some point in your life. The condition is also far more likely to occur after reaching middle age.

While Dupuytren’s syndrome is not life-threatening, it can limit your ability to properly use your hand. Opening your hand and holding objects will become extremely difficult if your condition is not treated in a timely manner.

There are treatment options available if Dupuytren’s syndrome is making it difficult to perform normal tasks with your hands. At Arora Hand Surgery, Dr. Arora and his team can come up with a customized treatment for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office in West Bloomfield, Warren, Macomb, or Howell.

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General Hands Treatments

Hand Injury? See a Hand Surgery Specialist in Southeast Michigan

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Hand Surgery Specialist

A hand surgery specialist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats disorders and injuries involving the hand, wrist and forearm. As such, hand specialists need to be able to treat the muscles, bones, skin, tendons and ligaments in the hand and neighboring area.

Most patients are referred to a hand specialist by their primary care physician.

What kind of training does a hand surgery specialist need?

A hand surgery specialist, also known as an orthopedic hand surgeon, is trained to perform surgery on the hand, wrist and forearm. They also learn how to treat injuries, diseases, deformities and congenital defects.

Like all medical doctors, hand specialists begin their education by going to medical school. After that, they serve a residency for five to seven years during which they study general surgery, orthopedic surgery or plastic surgery. After completing their residency, the hand specialist will undertake a fellowship devoted to hand surgery.

Hand surgeons often seek board certification, and they need to be certified twice. They will first need to be certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery. Only after earning the certification in general surgery can a hand specialist seek certification in hand surgery. To get that certification, the hand surgeon needs to take an exam administered by either the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

What does a hand specialist treat?

Common conditions treated by a hand specialist can include the following:

  • Fractures
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Arthritis
  • Sports injuries
  • Trigger finger
  • Tennis elbow

What is a ganglion cyst?

A ganglion cyst is a benign tumor and the most common growth that develops on the hand. While they can develop in different locations, they usually appear on the back of the wrist. The ganglion cyst grows out of tissues like a ligaments or joint linings, and it is filled with a slippery and viscous fluid.

While researchers have not found a definitive cause for ganglion cysts, they have observed that the cysts develop after repeated stresses to a joint. Ganglion cysts are most common in young people between 15 and 40 years old, and they are more common in women than in men.

Small ganglion cysts are generally harmless, but bigger ones can cause pain and muscle weakness by pressing on a nerve and affect appearance.

There are many ways to treat ganglion cysts ranging from simply watching to see if it goes away on its own through immobilizing the joint to surgically removing the cyst.

What is tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow, more formally known as lateral epicondylitis, is a type of tendonitis that affects the outside of the forearm. It is caused by repetitive overuse that causes the tendons near the elbow to develop small tears. Those tears can cause inflammation and make it painful and difficult to grip or lift objects. Untreated tennis elbow can become chronic. Our hand surgery specialist can provide you with the proper course of treatment depending on your needs.

If you have suffered a hand injury, visit our trusted hand surgery specialist at Arora Hand Surgery, located in Howell, West Bloomfield, Macomb, and Warren. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more!

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Fingers General

Determining if You Have a Nail Bed Injury

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nail bed injury

You’ve suffered trauma to your nail. Whether it is your fingernail or your toenail, it can make your life miserable. You might have caught your nail in a door, had something dropped on it or broken a bone that caused damage to your nail as well. One of the first things that you are bound to notice is a lot of pain. If it happens to one of your fingers, it makes it very difficult to perform daily tasks that involve your hands. If it happens to your toes, you may be challenging to walk or to have an active lifestyle. Wearing a shoe on the affected foot can be such a struggle that you can only wear shoes with open toes. You have to be extremely careful about banging an injured nail because it is going to be painful for a long time until it heals. You most likely have a nail bed injury.

How Do You Know if You Have a Nail Bed Injury?

If your toenail or fingernail has been damaged in some way or has received a hard blow, you have probably damaged your nail bed. If blood gathers under the nail or if you have bleeding around the nail, you have nail bed damage. If the nail cracks and falls off, your nail bed has been injured. If the nail is torn from your nail bed, there is no doubt that your nail bed has been damaged by the experience. Bleeding, intense pain, sensitivity and evidence of torn skin are all signs that you have injured your nail bed. You can expect a lengthy healing process following your injury.

What Can You Do for a Nail Bed Injury?

Treatment for a nail bed injury will depend on how severe the damage is. If it’s as simple as blood pooling beneath the nail, the blood may be drained away or additional bleeding may be stopped. If there is any of the nail remaining, the nail can be removed. If there are any types of lacerations to the nail bed, these can be stitched. Once your nail bed has been treated, you can wear a splint on that finger or toe to protect it.

When caring for your injured nail bed at home, be sure to rinse it well, keep it clean with antibacterial soap and apply antibacterial ointment. When you are able, expose it to the open air to promote healing. However, when you are out and about, you need to keep your nail bed covered to keep it clean and avoid infection. It typically takes between three and six months before the nail grows back in.

See Our Doctor About Nail Bed Injuries

If you have been the victim of a nail bed injury, make an appointment to see our doctor for an evaluation at Arora Hand Surgery. Be sure to follow instructions and take good care of your injured nail bed while you are home. Contact us at our offices in Warren, Macomb, Howell, or West Bloomfield today to schedule your consultation and learn about your treatment options.

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Stories

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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.