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Tag: Wrist Pain

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Treatments Wrists

Can Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Be Cured?

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Can carpal tunnel syndrome be cured? While there is no official cure, there are many remedies. In this image, a man at his desk is holding his painful wrist.

Can carpal tunnel syndrome be cured?

It’s a question wrist doctors and scientists have been trying to answer for decades. The simple answer is “yes and no.” …

OK, so that’s not so simple. Allow us to explain.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be alleviated for a certain amount of time, but it might flare up days, weeks, or months later. In other words, many types of carpal tunnel syndrome treatments are very effective, but they may be temporary.

A more permanent solution to cure the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome is surgery, but this option is typically reserved for situations where self-help or medication do not alleviate the symptoms.

On the other hand, you may experience carpal tunnel syndrome pain only once in your life and never again depending on your lifestyle.

Self-Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Even though there might not be a true cure for carpal tunnel syndrome, the good news is that you have many options for self-care. Dr. Arora will go over these treatments with you, but here is an overview of some of the most common remedies.

Wearing wrist braces while you sleep

It’s hard to figure out how to rest your wrists while you sleep. Sometimes you lean your head on them. Other times they’re under a pillow. Every now and then they’re over your head or under another part of your body. All of these positions could lead to pain or numbness in the wrists.

Wearing wrist braces at night can help protect your wrists and keep them straight, thereby alleviating the symptoms.

Investing in ergonomic equipment and furniture

If your job requires extensive use of your wrists, you or your employer may wish to obtain ergonomically designed chairs, keyboards, and other equipment. For jobs that require the use of manual or power tools, consider wearing wrist support if possible.

Watching your posture

Your mama told you not to slouch as you were walking. Now, your wrist doctor is telling you not to slouch as you’re sitting.

If you use a computer throughout the day, you may be tempted to roll your shoulders forward, but don’t do that. Your body wasn’t made that way, so unnaturally slouching will only make wrist pain come on faster.

Sit up straight with your shoulders back and comfortably aligned as often as possible.

Taking frequent breaks

We’re not trying to get you fired here. When we say “frequent breaks,” we simply mean taking 20 seconds to stop what you’re doing and then stretch your hand and shoulder muscles before getting back to work.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by tension in your wrists, so loosening up that area every now and then should help.

Medication & Surgical Options

When combined with self-care, anti-inflammatory medications can be effective in relieving the symptoms. Some patients may find relief with steroid injections as well, so ask Dr. Arora about that option.

For those with lingering symptoms, wrist surgery may provide a more long-term cure for carpal tunnel syndrome. The surgery entails cutting the ligament that forms of the top of the tunnel on the palm side of the hand. The goal is to enlarge the carpal tunnel in order to decrease pressure on the median nerve.

For carpal tunnel syndrome treatment in Howell, Warren, West Bloomfield, or Macomb Township, make an appointment with Dr. Arora through our website or by calling (248) 220-7747. He will analyze your symptoms in order to determine the cause of your wrist pain and then work with you to create a treatment regimen that’s right for you.

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Elbows General Hands

Stem Cell Therapy for Hands, Wrists, and Elbows

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There are many forms of therapy for hands, wrists, and elbows.

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.

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General

What are the Muscles in the Human Hand?

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Muscles in the human hand control the fingers through tendons. Fingers have no muscles.

Pop quiz: How many muscles do you have in your fingers? If you said, “Zero! That’s a trick question,” you’ve got our number. Your fingers contain no “muscles” at all. They’re actually controlled by muscles in your hands and arms that are connected to your fingers by tendons. So what are the muscles in the human hand?

Following are some of the basics you might want to know, especially if you’re experiencing pain in your hands, wrists, or fingers.

Muscles in the Human Hand

1. Interossei (Dorsal and Palmar)

You know the old trick of determining how many days are in a month by counting on your knuckles and the grooves between them? Well, the shorter months land in the area of the interossei muscles. All these muscles serve the same purpose, which is to bend the joints. The “dorsal interossei” muscles, however, allow us to spread out fingers, while we close them together with the “palmar interossei” muscles.

2. Lumbricals

The lumbrical muscles in the human hand can be found under each finger. They allow us to straighten our fingers and bend the joints.

3. Hypothenar

The hypothenar muscle group is located on the small finger side of the hand. This muscle group enables the small finger to bend and pull away from the ring finger. It also allows us to make a fist, as well as bring the small finger toward the thumb.

The muscles within this group are:

  • Abductor digiti minimi
  • Flexor digiti minimi
  • Opponens digiti minimi

4. Thenar

The thenar muscle group is located in the bulky area under your thumb. The muscles enable the thumb to move in multiple directions, bend, and rotate. Without these muscles, we couldn’t grasp items.

Muscles in this group are:

  • Abductor pollicis brevis
  • Flexor pollicis brevis
  • Opponens pollicis

The Thumb Exception

Although there are no muscles in the fingers, two muscles can be found near the thumb: the adductor pollicis and the abductor pollicis longus.

The first is located between the index finger and thumb, and the second passes through the wrist. We couldn’t pinch without them.

Seeking Treatment

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, or other hand or wrist conditions, they can cause pain in and around any of these muscles.

If you are experiencing pain or swelling in your hand, wrist, or fingers, make an appointment to see our hand surgeon in Macomb Township, Howell, Warren, or West Bloomfield.

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Categories
General Wrists

Wrist Pain with No Swelling – Possible Causes

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Wrist pain treatment is available in our southeast Michigan offices.

Injuries like fractures and sprains are most often the sources of wrist pain. However, long-term conditions like arthritis, repetitive stress and carpal tunnel syndrome can also cause wrist pain with no swelling. Since there are other factors that can cause wrist pain besides obvious causes like fractures, an accurate diagnosis is needed to get the proper treatment and healing approach. Arora Hand Surgery offers superior diagnostic services to determine the actual cause of the pain.

Arthritis

Arthritis occurs in two forms: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks its tissues. The wrist is often the first target, and when one wrist is affected, the other is too. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage cushioning the bones at the joints deteriorates with time. This condition is uncommon, and when it happens, it is often because the wrist in question has had an injury in the past.

Injuries

Injuries occur due to sudden impact and when repetitive stress is applied to a particular part of the body. Sudden impacts involve an immediate application of force, such as when you fall on your knee and injure it or when you land on an outstretched hand and injure your wrist joint. This kind of fall can result in fractures, sprains, and strains. Injuries like these, even fractures like the scaphoid fracture that occurs on the thumb, may not be visible on X-rays immediately after the injury. Oftentimes, the patient complains of wrist pain with no swelling.

Ganglion Cysts

With a tendency to occur on the part opposite the palm, these soft tissue cysts can be painful. Surprisingly, an activity may worsen the pain or improve it. Patients should look out for pain that shifts by either reducing or increasing when they take part in an activity that involves the wrist.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that develops when a lot of pressure is applied to the median nerve as it passes through a passageway on the palm side of the wrist called the carpal tunnel.

Kienbock’s Disease

Common among young adults, this disorder is the progressive collapse of one of the small bones in the wrist when the blood supply to the bone is interrupted. The ‘dead’ bone makes the wrist tender and painful.

Wrist Pain with No Swelling? Come and See Us

While there are many causes of wrist pain with no swelling, the location of the pain will help Dr. Arora at Arora Hand Surgery perform a proper diagnosis to determine the exact cause of the wrist pain. Contact us today to book an appointment 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.