Almost everyone knows at least one person who has had carpal tunnel surgery. This is because carpal tunnel syndrome is very common and affects about 5% of the adult population. When I meet new patients, they sometimes tell me “horror stories” they have heard from their family (or the internet) about carpal tunnel surgery. “Back […]
Dupuytren Contracture is characterized by abnormal fibrous tissue formation in the palms of the hands and fingers. This fibrous tissue is very similar to the scar tissue of healing wounds in the body. Some patients also develop fibrous tissue in other parts of the body including the feet (Ledderhose disease), penis (Peyronie disease), and shoulder […]
Dr. John Erickson was raised in El Paso, Texas. His father was an officer in the US Army, and the Erickson family settled in El Paso after his father retired from the military. As a youth, Dr. Erickson developed a love of the outdoors, was active in Boy Scouts, and earned the Eagle Scout Award. […]
Thumb arthritis is very common. About 15% of women and 7% of men have symptoms of thumb arthritis. This condition can cause pain, weakness with grip and pinch, difficulty opening jars, and reduced quality of life. The human thumb is unique. We can move our thumbs to touch the small finger in a motion called […]
If you recently hurt your wrist and the emergency room or urgent care practitioner told you that you broke a bone in your wrist, I am sure that you have a lot of questions. While you are waiting for your follow-up appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, you may be wondering several things including: do I […]
“Viking’s Disease” is the name commonly used to refer to Dupuytrens contracture in the hand. While we do not know the specific cause of Dupuytrens, this condition is more common in people with Nordic or Northern European ancestry. The condition has high prevalence in Scandinavia, Iceland, the British Isles, France, and Germany – all places […]
We are currently living in an opioid crisis in the United States. Approximately 180 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. More than 500,000 people have died during the past decade as a result. More families have been affected by addiction, overdose, and death from opioids than ever before. Opioid overdose is now one […]
Most patients have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome. But many patients still have questions, such as “what is carpal tunnel syndrome?” and “how did I get carpal tunnel?” Also, “What kind of doctor do I see for my carpal tunnel?” Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compression neuropathy in the hand and arm. This […]
Dr. John Erickson of the Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center has been named a “top doctor” by both Castle Connolly in 2020 and 2024 and by NC Top Docs in 2023.
Do you have hand pain after punching a wall? It could be a boxer’s fracture. Boxer’s fracture are very common hand injuries. The typical cause is striking a hard surface with a clenched fist – such as punching a wall. These injuries can also occur in contact sports, automobile collisions, altercations, or falling to the […]
