Blog Category

Tag: hand surgery

Categories
Fingers General Hands

Clubbed Thumb Surgery: Is it Possible?

Read Blog

In many ways, clubbed thumbs or toe thumbs are endearing. They’re short, cute, and would certainly stand out if you’re trying to hitch a ride, so you can leave all those “plain-thumbed” hitchhikers in the dust.

Even though there’s medically nothing wrong with having stubbed thumbs, some of their owners often feel somewhat self-conscious about them.

Truly, there’s no need to feel that way. In fact, Dr. Arora would not advise or perform any type of surgery for clubbed thumbs in 99.99% of the cases he has seen.

However, if you are having trouble gripping or writing or have associated hand conditions, surgery for clubbed thumbs may be possible albeit risky.

Facts About Clubbed Thumb Surgery

Before we get into the basic facts about clubbed thumb surgery, let’s define what a clubbed thumb is.

Also known as a “toe thumb” or “stub thumb,” a clubbed thumb is more formally identified as a Brachydactyly type D skeletal variation. It may also be called “Brachymegalodactylism” . . . such a big word for such a little thumb, right?

Speaking of “little,” a clubbed thumb is simply about 2/3 the size of a longer thumb. The nail bed may be shorter and wider as well. Stub thumbs are genetic, just like the color of someone’s eyes or hair.

There is no simple surgical solution for clubbed thumbs. Risks include scarring, loss of sensation, and abnormal nail growth.

Surgery options for this type of brachydactyly are not formalized in any way in the United States. Some treatments may be completed in other countries, but they are not typical for the U.S.

The primary type of surgery for clubbed thumbs is an osteotomy. During an osteotomy, the bone is cut, and a bone grafting material is used to reshape the thumb, making it longer and narrower as needed.

However, your hand is a complex system. If you were born with clubbed thumbs, they most likely function optimally with the rest of your hand, just like a well-oiled machine. Narrowing the thumb or making it longer may change the dynamics of your hand’s functionality.

Dr. Arora’s philosophy is generally, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Because clubbed thumb surgery is typically not advisable, just keep this in mind. Up to 3 percent of people in any given population have stub thumbs, so you’re not alone. In fact, some very beautiful and famous celebrities have toe thumbs.

If nothing else, consider it a gift — a beautiful feature that highlights how unique you really are.

Schedule a Consultation with our Hand Specialist in Southeast Michigan

If you are experiencing discomfort or pain in your hands, make an appointment to see Dr. Arora in West Bloomfield, Warren, Macomb Township, or Howell.

To make an appointment, call the hand doctor’s West Bloomfield office or send us a message through our website.

Categories
Elbows General Hands

Stem Cell Therapy for Hands, Wrists, and Elbows

Read Blog

Stem cell therapy can be an effective method of treating pain in the hands, wrists, or elbows. If you are a candidate for stem cell therapy, you probably have many questions. Our hand surgeon is here to answer them. In the meantime, following are some of the basics about stem cell therapy for hands, wrists, and elbows.

What is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cells are cells from which all other cells are generated. Stem cells divide to form “daughter cells,” with either become new stem cells or specialized cells. They can be guided to become specific cells that can be used for medical purposes, such as repairing damaged tissues. Stem cells may also be grown into new tissue for use in transplants and regenerative medicine.

Individuals who may benefit from stem cell therapy include those with spinal cord injuries, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, burns, and cancer.

Stem Cell Therapy for Hands, Wrists, and Elbows

Because stem cells replicate themselves, they can mirror the qualities of healthy cells in order to repair damage. They can decrease inflammation, strengthen the affected area, and repair damaged tissue and tendons.

Stem cell therapy for hands, wrists, and elbows can be used treat trigger finger, joint pain, golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel, gout, tennis elbow, and arthritis.

  • Cartilage in the wrist specifically has a limited ability to self-repair, and osteoarthritis can lead to a loss of cartilage. Stem cell therapy can help rejuvenate and replenish the cells in the wrist to aid in mobility.
  • Individuals suffering from elbow pain can benefit from stem cell therapy. It enables new, healthy tissue to grow at the site of an injury to reduce pain and repair damage.
  • Pain in the hand and thumb can also be addressed, including arthritis in the fingers.

A board-certified hand surgeon, Dr. Arora and the Arora Hand Surgery team gather stem cells from patients’ own tissue, which can help heal the targeted area without risk of harsh side effects or allergic reactions.

If you are regularly experiencing pain in your hand, wrist, or elbow, contact Dr. Arora to see if stem cell therapy is right for you.

Contact Us

Categories
General Hands Treatments

Benefits of Undergoing Hand Surgery in Michigan

Read Blog

Deciding to undergo hand surgery is a serious decision. You want to make sure that you take the time to find the right doctor for you. You need your hands for so many tasks in life. You want them to be working at full capacity as soon as possible. You need to turn to a trusted source like Dr. Arora. You want a surgeon who concentrates on the hands in order to ensure that nothing is missed. Choose to undergo hand surgery at our office in Michigan and you will have more freedom once again.

Why Choose Hand Surgery?

The thought of having surgery can fill you with anxiety. It’s fear of the unknown that causes anxiety. When you choose to have your procedure performed by our talented surgeon in Michigan to address your concerns with your hand, you can have peace of mind. Trust that you will have a surgeon who understands the intricacies of the hand, someone who will help you to find the answers you need in order to have a successful experience.

Experience Relief with the Right Hand Surgeon

Once you have had an evaluation at our office in Michigan, you will be given recommendations regarding your treatment options. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and find out all of the details about the procedure. You will be made a top priority when you come in for your procedure. Once our surgeon has corrected the issue with your hand, you will be given special instructions in order to make sure your recovery process goes as smoothly as possible. With time and patience, you will reap the benefits of your procedure.

Learn More About What Hand Surgery Can Do for You

If you have a problem with your hand that can only be solved with surgery, you need a hand surgeon in Michigan who can get positive results for you. Make an appointment to have a consultation at Arora Hand Surgery. For your convenience, we have two Michigan-based locations in Warren, West Bloomfield, Howell, and Macomb Township. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Categories
General Treatments

Alleviate Chronic Pain with Hand Surgery

Read Blog

No one likes to think about having hand surgery, or most any other type of surgery for that matter. Doctors do not take the situation lightly when they recommend surgery either. Nevertheless, it is sometimes necessary, especially for individuals who have been suffering from chronic pain and nothing else they have tried has brought any relief. If you are in a situation like this, it may very well be that hand surgery is a more attractive option than continuing to live in pain. Any discomfort from the process of recovering from surgery is short-lived. The chronic pain has already proven to be long-lasting, which is why you are considering hand surgery in the first place.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common reason for which many people undergo wrist and hand surgery. It happens when the median nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel becomes irritated. This can happen if the space through which the nerve passes becomes too narrow and pinches or otherwise puts pressure on the nerve. People who have jobs that involve a lot of repetitive motion of the hands and wrist are at a higher risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome than the general public.

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include pain in the wrist, forearm, palm and fingers. If the problem persists and does not improve with other treatment methods, it may be necessary to perform wrist and/or hand surgery to open up the tunnel in a way that takes the pressure off the nerve.

De Quervain tendonitis is another condition that can cause chronic pain around one or both hands. It is caused when the tendons at the base of the thumb that connect to the wrist become irritated or inflamed. Like carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive motion is often what leads to its development. People who have the condition often have trouble making a fist or turning the wrist. It can also be difficult to hold objects in the hand. Whenever treatments like cortisone injections and anti-inflammatory medications have not brought improvement, hand surgery may be the only other option.

Another source of chronic pain can be a condition known as trigger finger. It gets its name because it causes the fingers or thumb to lock in a bent position. Trying to straighten them can be extremely painful at times. It happens when the tendons that control the movement of the fingers and thumb become irritated. Over time, the irritation causes them to thicken within the sheath that surrounds them. While it is unknown exactly what causes it, people with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or gout have a higher risk of developing it. If treatments like corticosteroid injections do not help, hand surgery may be necessary.

If you have any of these or other conditions that are causing you a significant amount of hand pain or are making it difficult to use your hands, you might want to consult our team at Arora Hand Surgery to find out if surgery is a viable option. As much as you may want to avoid going through surgery, it may be your best answer to avoiding a life of pain.

Arora Hand Surgery has offices in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, and Macomb. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more.

Categories
General Hands Treatments

Is Hand Surgery Right for You? – Arora Hand Surgery

Read Blog

Do you have issues with your hands? Are they painful and swollen much of the time, and does it cause you pain to do many of the things that youve always done and taken for granted, such as driving, holding a grandchild, or just typing? Have you had an injury to your hand, or have you developed a cyst or tumor on the hand? Many different things can go wrong with the hands, which are easily one of the most important, and often underappreciated, parts of the human body.

Determining the Right Course of Action

While some types of hand injuries can be remedied with medicine and rest, there are other injuries that could require surgical treatment. However, surgery is not the right option for all patients. Most of the time, doctors will want to avoid surgery unless it is the only or best option, and if other types of treatment have no effect.

You will need to speak with your hand specialist about whether surgery would work for your type of issue or not. In addition, you need to make sure that you are actually a good candidate for surgery.

You and the doctor will need to sit down and discuss the problems you are having with your hands (as they can vary so widely) and then come up with the best course of treatment. In some cases, they may want to move forward and consider surgery, but they need to make sure it you are actually a viable candidate. They will consider the type of condition and the severity, as well as whether you have exhausted other means of treatment. The doctor also wants to make sure you are healthy enough to have surgery, so they will ask a number of questions about your medical history and run tests.

In some cases, the patient may not be a good candidate. If they are smokers, are overweight or have other issues that could cause problems with the surgery, the doctors may request that they make some lifestyle changes first, to help make the surgery go more smoothly. Of course, this really depends on each individual case, and is something you can discuss with your hand specialist.

When you are speaking with the hand surgeon about the possibility of getting surgery, you should ask about the specific type of procedure being performed, the length of the procedure, how long it will take to heal, and what types of hand therapy might be necessary after the surgery. Getting answers to all of these questions in advance can help you determine whether it is the right option for you.

Emergency Surgeries

Of course, some types of surgery simply cant wait. A compound fracture, a crushing injury and the like will require immediate hand surgery in an attempt to repair damage and set the bones so the hand can heal. Emergencies are handled differently.

Find a Great Surgeon

When you are considering hand surgery, whether it is cosmetic surgery, surgery for arthritis, or any other issue, make sure you take the time to research and locate a respected hand surgeon in your area.

Bill Payment Made Easy

Pay on the Go!

Get on the List

Subscribe

Patient

Stories

Read All

Dr. Aroras office from my first call to schedule my appointment was friendly. Walking in the first day, I felt like I was in a nice atmosphere. Dr. Arora was EXCELLENT in taking great care of my hand injury. He was gentle and very understanding to the concerns I had about my hand. His expertise was admirable and I would recommend anyone with an injury to their hand to his office to be under his care. Because of him, I have healed faster than expected and will make an 100% recovery! Thank you Dr.

Jackie S.

I first thought I was going to have to have painful injections or surgery, but Dr. Arora suggested physical therapy may do the trick. I was doubtful, but I agreed to do it. Now, my pain is gone, and with the help of an ergonomic keyboard at work to keep my hands in the correct position, I am virtually pain free. The therapy strengthened my wrists and shoulders, and built more flexibility into my wrists.

Jerry T.

My experience with this doctor was positive from the outset. Dr. Arora was kind and spent a great deal of time with me. Staff was friendly. The office was nice and bright.

Ariel G.

Very friendly and helpful Great staff!!! Doctor Arora was very professional and did great work. I was very happy with everything!

L B.