Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve problem in the arm. It results from increased pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, within the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of “pinched nerve.” The symptoms are usually worse at night and can wake patients up from sleep. The word “carpus” is […]
DeQuervain’s tendonitis is a common tendinopathy causing function-limiting pain on the radial aspect of the wrist involving the extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) and abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendons of the thumb. The condition receives its eponym from the Swiss physician Fritz DeQuervain who described several cases of “washerwoman’s sprain” in the late-1800s. The condition has […]
Needle aponeurotomy (NA) is a minimally-invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia in the office. This procedure is also referred to as “percutaneous fasciotomy” by some surgeons. Using the tip of a syringe needle, the tight cords in the palm are perforated multiple times. Then the fingers are manipulated to rupture the cords, allowing the fingers to […]
The opioid epidemic continues to escalate in communities throughout the United States. More families are now being affected by addiction, overdose, and death from narcotics than ever before. Approximately 70,000 Americans died of opioid-related causes in 2017. Patients and physicians should be educated about the risks and benefits of opioid medications, and only use these […]
Arthritis is typically diagnosed on x-rays. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is related to wear-and-tear processes, genetics, injuries, and it is a normal part of the aging process. An arthritic joint will demonstrate narrowing of the space between the bones as the cartilage thins, bone spurs or calcium deposits on the […]
Dr. Erickson of Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center was the invited speaker for the quarterly meeting of the North Carolina Upper Extremity Special Interest Group. On January 15, 2019 Dr. Erickson and 20 occupational therapists discussed current trends in surgical and rehabilitative treatment for patients with flexor tendon injuries in the hands.
This patient sustained a proximal phalanx fracture of the ring finger through a twisting injury. The fracture was a displaced spiral-type and the finger was obviously malrotated (crooked). Surgical intervention was chosen for this injury after discussing treatment options. Pins were placed percutaneously (through the skin) during surgery and the pins were removed in about […]
If you recently injured your finger and are wondering if it is broken, the best thing to do is get an x-ray to find out. You can get x-rays in your physician’s office, urgent care, or local emergency room. Many breaks or fractures in the fingers can be misdiagnosed as “just a sprain” or a […]
If you recently hurt your wrist and the emergency room or urgent care doctor 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 […]
Boxer’s fractures are very common hand injuries. The typical cause is punching a wall with a clenched fist. These injuries are most common in young adult males. They can also occur from a variety of ways such as a fall, sports injury, or car accident. A “boxer’s fracture” is defined as a fracture of the […]
