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Treating Infections of the Hand

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Infections of the Hand

Infections of the hand can range in seriousness from relatively minor to severe. They are most commonly suffered in the fingertips in the form of a pus-filled infection that keeps the finger from bending down all the way. If an infection of the finger is not taken care of in a timely manner, it can lead to a spread in the infection or even loss of the finger.

Common Types of Hand Infections

The most common kind of infections of the hand takes place in the fingertips, usually along the edges of the fingernail, and is called a paronychia infection. Paronychia infections often start slowly and build up to full-blown infections over the course of two to three days. Symptoms begin with redness and a slightly painful itchiness in the area as well as swelling. As the days go by, the swelling will become worse and there might be a greenish or yellowish bump in the skin on the side of the fingernail. This is the most common type of hand infection caused by bacteria.

Felon infections are somewhat similar to paronychia infections. The fingertips will hurt quite a bit and become swollen. As the swelling gets worse, the skin outside the infection will harden and become painful to the touch. Usually, there is a collection of pus on the bottom palm side of the finger. This pus is usually removed the same way as with paronychia infections. Whether the infection is caused by bacteria or a virus, the treatment for these kinds of infections are almost the same.

Treatment for Pus-Filled Infections of the Hand

In the case of a pus-filled infection like a paronychia infection, the most important part of treatment is to drain the pus in order to stifle the infection. The finger is irrigated with a special solution in order to remove the debris and keep the infection from progressing. The wound is wiped clean with alcohol pads and a topical antibiotic is applied to the wound and, most often, prescribed as well.

Complications Caused by Hand Infections

When the cause of the infection in a hand is not known, lab tests may be necessary to find the cause. Sometimes infections of the hand that tend to recur or move to different regions of the hand might be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.

Some people with pre-existing conditions such as those with a weak immune system, diabetes and peripheral arterial disease should get medical attention as soon as possible at the first sign of an infection in the hand. These health conditions might make the infection very serious, causing it to spread to other areas of the body.

At Arora Hand Surgery, we are proud to diagnose and treat various infections of the hand. If you suspect that you have an infection, contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office in Warren, Howell, Macomb Township, or West Bloomfield!

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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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General Hands

Things to Consider When Treating Hand Injuries

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hand injuries

We use our hands for so many things. A lot of the actions that we do with our hands are automatic. We don’t even think about it. We will gesture or grab something before we even realized that we’ve done it. Just about every person on the planet will sustain some type of injury to their hand at some point in their life. As such, they start to consider their treatment options and want to know what to expect when treating hand injuries.

Some of the injuries that we can have in our hands are directly related to the frequency with which we use them or the motions that we perform with our hands. A lot of people have overuse injuries or wear and tear injuries. Most people will hurt their hands or hurt their fingers while they’re playing sports, engaging in recreation, while on the job, while doing repairs at home or if they fall.

When you play contact sports, your hands are usually the first part of your body to suffer an injury. This is because when you fall, you automatically put your hands out trying to protect yourself from the fall. Children hurt themselves either because of not being aware of their surroundings or because they stick their hands in places where they should not.

Since there are so many ways that you can hurt your hand, it is impossible to give an exhaustive list of treatments that are available, as well as what exactly to expect while treating hand injuries. In most cases, a hand or wrist injury is going to be treated by using first aid techniques. This includes using brace, a splint or, in some cases, a cast. Depending on the severity of your hand injury, our doctor may recommend that you visit a physical therapist. The goal of a physical therapist is to help you restore the mobility of your hand, the flexibility of your hand and its strength.

Depending on the location and the severity of the damage, treating hand injuries may include some form of surgery. Since we are prone to hurt our hands on a daily basis, some people ignore hand injuries, putting off going to the doctor for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, the longer you ignore a hand injury, the more severe the treatment needs to be. This underscores the importance of an individual visiting our office immediately after sustaining a serious hand injury.

During a consultation with Dr. Arora at Arora Hand Surgery, you can learn more information regarding what to expect when treating hand injuries. We have locations in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, and Macomb. Contact us today to book an appointment to learn about your treatment options!

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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!

Categories
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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General Hands

Determining if Your Child Has Hand Problems

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Child Hand Problems

Hand problems can range from trivial to disabling. As it is not always easy to judge the severity of a hand injury, getting to a doctor after injuring your hand is prudent. When it comes to your child, it is even more important to diagnose the cause of his or her hand problems as quickly as possible.

Sprains and Dislocations of the Finger

Finger sprains and dislocations are among the most common injuries that cause hand problems. The most frequently injured joint is the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. The PIP joint sits between the first and second finger bones, with the first or proximal fingerbone being the nearest to the hand.

Accidents like jamming a finger while playing basketball can force the joint to bend backward, a condition known as hyperextension. Under normal conditions, the joint has ligaments and tissues that keep the fingers from bending sideways or backward. In a sprain, those tissues are stretched or partially torn, causing swelling and stiffness.

In a dislocation, the tissues are completely torn, and the joint’s bones become separated and misaligned. Like a sprain, a dislocation is accompanied by swelling and stiffness. Since it is not easy to determine the severity of a sprain or dislocation, a child suspected of having such an injury should be taken to a doctor. While splinting and icing a joint can take care of a sprain, a dislocation requires medical intervention to properly realign the joints.

Hand Problems from a Broken Wrist

A broken wrist is a common sports injury, especially in football, but it can occur anytime somebody tries to break a fall with an outstretched hand. The joint most commonly affected is the scaphoid. A child with a fractured scaphoid will have a swollen and painful wrist, but they will still be able to move it. Scaphoid fractures are among the more notoriously hard hand problems to detect, especially during the first week. Our doctor may therefore recommend taking a repeat X-ray after that week.

Hand Problems from Animal bites

As with practically every other part of the human body, some hand problems and injuries can result in infections. Animal bites are a common cause of infections; cat bites are especially infamous for causing an infection. Cats have small and narrow teeth that can penetrate deep into the skin. The resulting small punctures heal deceptively quickly and trap the bacteria from the cat’s mouth under the skin. In some cases, this can result in an abscess. An infected hand will be red, abnormally warm, and swollen. There may also be red streaks near the wound. The child may also have a fever, sweats, or chills.

When to Call for Help

A parent should take their child to visit Dr. Arora if any of the following are true:

  • The child’s hand looks “wrong” and is in a strange shape or position.
  • The child is in severe pain
  • There is a lot of swelling within 30 minutes after an injury
  • The child still has a lot of pain and swelling two days after getting hurt
  • There are signs of nerve damage like tingling, numbness, or weakness
  • There are signs of infection like redness, warmth, fever and increased pain
  • The skin is pale or blue and feels colder than the skin on the uninjured hand.

At Arora Hand Surgery, our skilled and experienced doctor will be able to diagnose the cause and severity of your child’s hand problems. You can rest assured you receive the comprehensive, personalized care you deserve when you choose Dr. Arora. Contact one of our offices in Macomb, Warren, Howell, or West Bloomfield to schedule your consultation.

Categories
Fingers General

How Can I Tell If I Have a Broken Knuckle?

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Broken Knuckle

Your knuckles are an essential part of your hand. They are what give your fingers their dexterity and their ability to move. But as strong and vital your knuckles are, they can still be broken. As you can imagine, having a broken knuckle is not an enjoyable experience. It comes with several different symptoms, such as pain and swelling. A broken knuckle limits your finger’s mobility and prevents you from carrying out a lot of your daily activities.

Most people break their knuckles when they punch something, usually a hard surface. The symptoms associated with a broken knuckle are very similar to those associated with other injuries that you have in your hand.

For many people, the first sign of a broken knuckle is pain. The pain is instant, and it is severe. Contrary to what some believe, you might still be able to bend a broken knuckle. You might even be able to bend it without increasing the pain, but this does not mean that it is not broken. Depending on the location of the break, pain might increase as you try to move the broken knuckle.

The next symptom you are going to experience is swelling. Most people say that their hand starts to swell around 10 minutes after they break their knuckle. As the swelling increases, your ability to move your hand drastically decreases. Interestingly, you may notice that other fingers also begin to swell, not simply the one that is broken.

The next indication is bruising. The level of bruising will depend on the severity of the break. In many cases, you will see bruising almost instantaneously. This is because there is a rapid loss of blood in the area around the knuckle, which shows up as a bruise.

You will probably notice that your hand goes numb as the swelling increases. This is your body’s natural response to the injury. At a certain point, the swelling in your hand may get so severe that the nerves in your fingers become compressed, and any sensation disappears.

There will be visual clues that you have broken your knuckle as well. For example, if you make a fist, you may not be able to see your knuckle because it broken. The lack of swelling and the pain may make you think that your knuckle is not broken, but if it is sunken in, this is a sure sign that it is.

One of the biggest problems after having a broken knuckle is stiffness. Your knuckle is a very complicated joint, and it might not heal entirely. There is also the possibility of an infection after breaking a bone.

We offer many different types of effective surgeries designed to treat a broken knuckle. If you feel you may have a broken knuckle, visit Arora Hand Surgery for an official examination. Dr. Arora will help you explore all of your treatment options and develop a plan tailored just for you. To get help healing a broken knuckle safely and effectively, call our office in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, or Macomb to schedule your consultation.

Categories
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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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.