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Elbows General Treatments

Which Treatment for Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is Right for Me?

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tennis elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a painful medical condition that is caused when the tendons in your elbow become inflamed and overworked. Despite its name, many people get tennis elbow without ever playing the sport. Any repetitious motion of the arm and wrist that is performed almost every day can potentially cause tennis elbow. This condition is also commonly called lateral epicondylitis.

It is very easy to know if you are currently suffering from tennis elbow. The pain will radiate on the outside of the elbow, and it may also travel down the forearm to the wrist. This will make it very difficult to turn doorknobs, shake hands and hold round objects. Painters, plumbers, cooks and recreational racket sport players are at a much higher risk of developing tennis elbow because of the repetitive stress placed on the hand, wrist and forearm.

Treating your tennis elbow in a timely manner is the best way to quickly eliminate the pain. Ignoring your painful symptoms will only make the problem get worse over time. If you are suffering from tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) or if you suspect you may have the condition, then it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible.

In the vast majority of cases, we start with conservative measures. These may include changes in certain activities, anti-inflammatory medications, a brace, steroid injections, shockwave treatment and physical therapy. The exercises used in physical therapy may gradually strengthen and stretch the muscles in your forearm. Our doctor can give you recommendations on how to perform your necessary job tasks without harming your inflamed elbow tendon.

If conservative measures do not work, surgery may be the best option. Generally speaking, in order to qualify for surgery, you must have not responded to conservative treatments, and you must have had symptoms for at least six months. Surgery is considered to be the last resort for tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) sufferers. During this procedure, the problematic tendon tissue is skillfully removed. The techniques used during surgery will depend on the unique situation, but it is always an outpatient procedure and requires months of rehabilitation and physical therapy to fully recover.

During a consultation at Arora Hand Surgery, our doctor can assess your condition and come up with a personalized treatment for you that aims to relieve you of your symptoms. Contact us today to schedule an appointment 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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Fingers General

Which Form of Trigger Finger Treatment is Right for Me?

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Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is a condition that causes the fingers, and sometimes the thumb, to have a tendency to lock in place when they are bent. It is sometimes accompanied by popping and cracking while attempting to bend or straighten the fingers. In addition, it can be very painful at times.

Running through the fingers, just like in other parts of the body, are tendons that serve the purpose of connecting muscle to bone. These tendons will slide through a sheath, which is tissue that covers the tendon. The sheath contains a lubricating membrane to help the tendon move more easily. Trigger finger can develop when these tendons become inflamed. When this happens, the tendons can become swollen. This makes it harder for the tendon to move through the sheath. When this goes on for a period of time, the sheath can develop scar tissue, the result of which is a narrowed opening for the tendon to slide through. The resulting difficulty can cause popping and cracking as the tendon is pulled through restricted space.

Trigger finger can be caused by one of several factors. Health conditions like gout, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis can lead to its development. It can also be caused by repetitive motion, especially if the motion is accompanied by forceful gripping. Sometimes, it becomes so hard to straighten the fingers that the other hand must be used to help.

If you suspect that you might have trigger finger, our team can perform a diagnosis rather easily. Once trigger finger is diagnosed, treatment may be done by a variety of methods. Usually, we will start with more conservative measures and progress to more extensive treatments only if the conservative methods do not work.

Trigger finger treatment may involve the use of a splint, anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections, among other things. Often times, a combination approach is taken. If these more conservative measures don’t get the job done, surgery may be the next step. Most people, however, will not need surgery, but this obviously depends on the situation. The recovery time and results depend on the severity of the condition.

If you suspect that you may be developing trigger finger, you should seek help from the team at Arora Hand Surgery sooner rather than later. This will improve your chances of having success with conservative treatments. Our offices are located in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, and Macomb. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!

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Fingers General

Getting Your Thumb Sprain Treated by a Hand Specialist

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Thumb Sprain

Thumb sprains can be very painful. All you need to do is ask anyone who has experienced one, if you haven’t had one yourself. They commonly occur during sports activities. In fact, they are often referred to as “skiers thumb” because of a high occurrence of injuries while skiing. The combination of the way the hand is grasping the ski pole and the impact of the pole hitting the ground can easily jam the hand, causing a thumb strain. Sports like basketball create a high risk for these types of sprains as well. If the hand is turned in the wrong way while attempting to catch the ball, a strain can happen. Striking the thumb on the ground during a fall is another common cause of the injury.

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which is what holds the bones together. In the case of a thumb sprain, the damage is usually to the ligaments that support the joint at the base of the thumb. It happens when an impact causes the thumb to move beyond its normal range of movement. It is usually a backward movement that causes the injury.

Symptoms of a thumb sprain include immediate pain at the time of the impact. This may be followed by things like swelling, and there may be some instability in the joint. It may be difficult to do activities that require gripping, like turning a door knob or holding a drinking glass.

Immediately after the injury, the thumb should be protected against further injury by taping it or using a support. Ice should be applied as soon as possible to help reduce swelling. These are immediate steps that are taken as basic first aid measures following the injury. In order to ensure that there is no permanent damage, and to make sure the best possible treatment is provided to promote healing, our experienced hand specialist at Arora Hand Surgery should be consulted.

One of the things that will be done when seeking treatment for a sprained thumb is the taking of X-rays. This will help to detect or rule out a fracture. If no fracture is present, our doctor will still continue to treat the thumb sprain.

Since your hands are necessary for just about everything you do, you will not want to take their care lightly when it comes to treating an injury. The hands, including the fingers and thumbs, consist of very complicated anatomy. For this reason, you deserve the best treatment you can get when you are trying to recover from an injury. The best way to receive this is to seek out a well-qualified hand specialist like Dr. Arora. It can make the difference in getting you back on the road to recovery.

Make an appointment at Arora Hand Surgery in Howell, West Bloomfield, Macomb, or Warren to learn more. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.

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Elbows General

Addressing Cubital Tunnel Syndrome for a Better Quality of Life

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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome, or ulnar nerve entrapment, is a condition affecting the ulnar nerve. This is the nerve that extends from the forearm to the neck. Along the way, it passes through the cubital tunnel, which is near the inner part of the elbow. Muscles, bone and ligaments all form the tunnel. In cubital tunnel syndrome, the ulnar nerve gets compressed in the tunnel.

What are the Symptoms?

The most common symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome are numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers. Such symptoms are most common in the ring and little fingers, and they tend to be intermittent. These symptoms are most likely to occur if the patient keeps their elbow bent during activities like driving or talking on the phone.

In some cases, the numbness wakes patients in the middle of the night. The patient may also feel as if their fingers are “falling asleep.” In severe cases, cubital tunnel syndrome can also impair coordination and weaken the muscles. The patient will start to have trouble performing such activities as typing or playing an instrument.

If the patient does not get treatment and/or the condition persists a long time, they may experience actual wasting of the hand muscles. Since this is not reversible, the patient should see our team if they have symptoms and/or have had symptoms for over six weeks.

How is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Treated?

A person usually starts with various home remedies, many of which involve resting the affected arm. For example, they may avoid activities that require bending their elbows for a long time. Before going to bed, they may wrap a towel around their arm to make sure it stays straight while they sleep.

When such measures don’t work, our team at Arora Hand Surgery can come up with a customized treatment plan for you. This may involve the use of a splint, hand therapy and/or surgery, depending on the situation. Surgery is usually only recommended for severe cases of cubital tunnel syndrome. The patient will almost always need some type of physical therapy during their recovery.

During a consultation at Arora Hand Surgery, Dr. Arora and his team can assess your condition and come up with a personalized treatment that aims to give you a better quality of life.  Contact our West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, or Macomb office today to schedule an appointment to learn more about your treatment options!

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General Wrists

How Can I Treat My Fractured Wrist?

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fractured wrist

A fractured wrist is not as simple as most people believe. A wrist fracture can be displaced or non-displaced. When you have a fractured wrist, you usually feel immediate and severe pain. You may also experience some numbness in your hand, your hands and fingers may change color and you might see the wrist bone protrude out of the skin.

Wrist fractures are relatively common. It is estimated that a quarter of a million people experience a fractured wrist every single year in the United States. One of the reasons why this injury is so common is because of the wide range of ways humans use their wrists. Injuries can come from car accidents, playing sports or work.

Depending on the location and severity of the injury, the treatment options vary significantly from case to case. Some simpler wrist fractures can be treated by just setting the wrist and casting it. Then you wait for the bone to heal in its proper position. However, other fractures may require you to get an operation, and you may need to endure a post-operative recovery. It all depends on the unique situation.

With most wrist fractures, you do not need surgery. All you need is to have a cast put on your wrist, and you need to have a little bit of downtime at home. The cast is used to keep your wrist immobilized while it heals. Other cases may require an operation.

You should expect to have some wrist stiffness, especially if your fractured wrist required you to have surgery. The stiffness will gradually improve. Our doctor may prescribe hand therapy as a way of helping you keep your strength.

As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for a fractured wrist. The treatment will depend on the extent of the injury, as well as your age, your occupation, your hand dominance and your overall health, among other things. During a consultation with Dr. Arora at Arora Hand Surgery, your wrist can be evaluated and a customized treatment plan can be created for you. The main goal is to fix the fractured wrist and then regain strength and function.

For your convenience, Arora Hand Surgery has locations in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, and Macomb. Contact us today to schedule a consultation regarding your fractured wrist.

Categories
Fingers General Treatments

Treatments for Finger Nerve Injuries

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finger nerve injuries

Ranging from minor cuts and small wounds to broken bones and nerve damage, hand and finger nerve injuries are a relatively common occurrence. When a nerve in the hand or fingers is injured, symptoms can include loss of strength, sensation and muscle control.

Four nerves, two on each side, support the movement and sensation of your fingers. These nerves can be bruised and stop working properly for a short period. With this type of injury, the nerves usually heal and fully recover over time with little or no lingering side effects. These finger nerve injuries may not require advanced treatment.

A severe injury can cause more complex nerve damage that will require medical intervention to correct. Nerve damage can result in pain and weakness. If left untreated, your hand or fingers may weaken to the point where they become non-functional. As a result, early diagnosis and careful treatment will enable a faster and more complete recovery.

When an injury to the hand or fingers shows the signs of nerve damage, an assessment will be made to show the extent of the harm. You will undergo diagnostic testing to evaluate the level and speed of nerve activity. The results will enable our medical professional to determine the level of damage and customize a proper treatment protocol.

Damaged nerves that cannot heal on their own usually require surgery to reconnect the ends. Surgically repaired nerves as well as those not requiring an operation will undergo rehabilitation that focuses on preventing further damage, promoting movement and sensory reeducation.

The injured area will be immobilized initially in a safe position to prevent further damage and allow the healing process to begin. Some movement may be allowed to keep the nerve from atrophying. Once the nerve is healed, you will undergo physical therapy to learn how to compensate for any residual loss of feeling or muscle control. This therapy will enable you to use your hand and fingers in a more normal manner while learning how to avoid future complications.

Severe nerve damage will require extensive therapy to reeducate a patient in this circumstance on how to compensate for the loss of sensation in the affected area. The brain will have to be reprogrammed to process the new signals and produce the required level of dexterity.

If you have suffered a hand or finger injury, schedule a consultation at Arora Hand Surgery for a full examination to determine the extent of the damage. The results of the evaluation will enable us to determine the best course of treatment to produce optimal results. The sooner that you address hand and finger nerve injuries, the quicker your quality of life will improve. We have offices in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, and Macomb Township. Contact us today to book an appointment to learn more.

Categories
Fingers General

Fingertip Injuries

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fingertip injuries

We use our fingers all of the time all throughout the day. As a result, they are always at risk of fingertip injuries, and there are many of them.

Your fingertips are packed with nerve endings, more than almost anywhere else in the body. That’s because you need all of those nerves to fine-tune your ability to feel and use your fingers. Of course, with all of those nerve endings hanging out in your fingertips, an injury to this area can be very painful.

Fingertips can be damaged in a number of different ways, ranging from very minor to extremely serious. Because the fingertip skin is so unique, if it becomes destroyed, it usually cannot be replaced.

Some common examples of fingertip injuries include:

  • Crushing damage if the finger is closed in a door, hit with a hammer, or has something heavy dropped on it
  • Cuts from knives, power tools, etc.
  • Bent and broken from being caught in equipment, ropes, or nets.

If you have a fingertip injury, the first thing your doctor will do is examine the area, check for mobility in the finger and then get X-rays. It will need to be determined if any of the bones in the finger have been broken.

Treatment of Fingertip Injuries

How the injury will be treated depends solely on the type of injury itself. Here are some examples:

  • Severe crush injuries may mean that some tissue needs to be removed or the whole finger has to be removed.
  • If bone has been exposed, then skin grafts may be used to cover the injury.
  • If soft tissue has been lost, then this may be replaced along with skin grafts to cover the area.
  • At times, a flap of skin is lifted from the adjacent finger and used to cover the injury and provide blood flow while the finger heals. Once the wound is healing, the flap can be stitched back down to its original finger site.
  • If the finger has been fractured, then a splint will be used to stabilize the area.
  • If the fracture is severe, then pins may be placed within the finger bone to help it set in the proper manner.

If damage to the fingertip is extremely severe, then likely, amputation will be needed. That’s because it is very hard to replace tissues in the finger when most of the existing tissue has been destroyed.

Injuries to the fingertip can mean loss of sensation for a long time. In fact, some people report it taking several months to get full feeling back in the finger. Scarring to the nailbed may mean the fingernail grows back deformed or does not grow back at all.

Every day, your fingers are exposed to injury. So, it should come as no surprise that fingertip injuries are common. Depending on the type of injury or trauma, there could be ways to treat the situation and return the finger to normal function, but in severe cases, the finger may be lost altogether.

For more information, contact Arora Hand Surgery today.

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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.