Many patients with carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated successfully without surgery. If the condition continues to get worse, however, non-operative treatment will no longer be effective. Symptoms over time can become harder to control, occur more frequently, and the numbness can become constant. Surgery is the best way to relieve the symptoms and prevent […]
Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and fingers. The thumb, index, and middle fingers are usually feel the worst. Some patients notice that the hand feels cold, swollen, “asleep” or feel “poor circulation” in the fingers. Symptoms can awaken patients at night with “pins and needles” pain and tingling in […]
This patient sustained a glass injury to the wrist. The median nerve was lacerated, causing numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. The thumb flexor tendon (FPL) and radial wrist flexor (FCR) were also lacerated causing loss of thumb flexion and weakness with wrist flexion. The patient underwent surgical repair of the flexor tendon lacerations […]
Nerves are fragile and can be injured by many different causes — including compression, lacerations, or blunt trauma. Compression of a nerve is caused by prolonged pressure placed against a nerve, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Nerve lacerations are often caused by a sharp object such as a knife or broken glass. A nerve can […]
Dr. John M. Erickson of Raleigh Hand Center discussed the treatment options for patients with broken wrists at UNC Orthopedic Conference at WakeMed hospital on 4/23/2018. His talk was titled “Prevention of Complications in Distal Radius Fracture Surgery.” Local area hand surgeons, therapists, radiology staff, and ortho residents were in attendance. […]
“Texting thumb” is a common name for a trigger thumb. Trigger thumb occurs possibly more frequently with the use of smart phones and tablets these days. Symptoms occur when there is catching between the flexor tendon of the thumb and the sheath which surrounds the tendon. Instead of gliding smoothly through the sheath, the flexor pollicis […]
I traveled to Nicaragua to participate in a medical mission in January 2018. I joined Raleigh Hand Center colleague Dr. George Edwards, III and his wife Rebecca, a general orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jessica Hirschhorn, surgical technologist Roby Smith, and members of the not-for-profit organization COAN. We volunteered at the Hospital Escuela Oscar Danilo Rosales Arguello […]
Dr. George S. Edwards, III and Dr. John M. Erickson of Raleigh Hand Center returned from their Nicaraguan mission trip. The physicians traveled with the Raleigh-based organization COAN (Cooperacion Ortopedica Americano Nicaraguense) to deliver orthopedic care to patients in Leon, Nicaragua. They also provided lectures to orthopedic residents and medical students during teaching conferences and […]
What is Mommy’s Wrist? Mommy’s wrist is a term for DeQuervain’s tendonitis, a type of painful tendonitis common in mothers of young children. This causes pain on the thumb side of the wrist, worse with movement of the thumb. Opening jars, turning door knobs, and caring for the young child can be difficult. Symptoms arise […]
Dr. John Erickson of Raleigh Hand Center discussed Dupuytren’s Contracture treatment at the UNC orthopedic hand conference on August 14, 2017. Dr. Erickson offers 3 types of procedures for Dupuytrens patients: needle aponeurotomy, Xiaflex injections, and Dupuytrens fasciectomy surgery. He also uses Kenalog steroid injections for early Dupuytrens nodules prior to joint contracture formation. Here is […]
