Ask a Doctor: Thumb Arthritis

Dec 30,2015 / By The Hand Society / 1 Comment

Dr. Tamara Clancy answers your questions about thumb arthritis, also known as arthritis base of the thumb.

What is the painful bump at the base of my thumb?

This is more than likely wear-and-tear arthritis, and the bump is one of the bones (metacarpal) that becomes prominent as the joint wears out (cartilage thins).

What is the cause?

The cause is the cartilage in the joint thinning out. Some of this is genetic (inherited). Injury and joint laxity (being “double-jointed”) may contribute to developing this as well. It is also more common in women.

Is there any way to know if my pain will get worse?

No — this is a problem that usually gets worse as we get older, but there is no way to predict how rapidly the pain will progress in a particular person.

Finger Hand Hand Therapy Mallet Finger

Advice from a Certified Hand Therapist: Mallet Finger

Dec 26,2015 / By the American Society of Hand Therapists / 2 Comments

Mallet_Fig1A

What is happening to my fingertip? It doesn’t go straight anymore.

If you can’t extend the tip of your finger, you may have what is called a mallet finger. This happens when the end of the tendon that lifts your fingertip becomes separated from the fingertip. There are a few different ways this can happen.

Do I need to do anything about this? Will it heal on its own?

If you have a mallet finger, it needs to be treated; it will not heal on its own. You should consult with your doctor, and possibly a hand surgeon.

A hand surgeon? That sounds serious!

It may be. Sometimes the tendon comes off the fingertip with a portion of the bone – sometimes it only comes partially off. Having a specialist assess it and direct you will ensure you have a good outcome.

Hand Hand Safety

8 snowblower safety tips

Dec 22,2015 / By The Hand Society / No Comment

Finger Hand Hand Safety

How to remove a stuck ring

Dec 18,2015 / By The Hand Society / No Comment

Can’t get that ring off your finger? A stuck ring can be the result of a ring that’s too small, arthritic joints or swelling. Regardless of the reason, here is a safe way to remove it:

Squirt some Windex – yes Windex – on the finger and ring. Or, use any lubricant such as soap or oil.
Elevate the hand overhead for 5-10 minutes with ice around the ring and finger.
Use dental floss or a thread to compress the swollen finger as shown:

Arthritis Hand Hand Safety Hand Surgeon

Advice from a doctor on avoiding hand injuries during the holidays

Dec 14,2015 / By The Hand Society / No Comment

from the Sun Sentinel

Longtime West Boca Medical Center and private practice hand surgeon Dr. Michael Joyner sees his share of holiday mishaps – cutting holiday appetizers or prepping dinner with arthritis or using too sharp a knife – and has sage advice on how to ward off hand injuries.

What has arthritis got to do with food preparation?

They don’t have a good hold or grip. A lot of times, they’ll get a cut or laceration. In the hand, it doesn’t bleed so much, but may a hit a nerve. Many times they’ll have a constant numbness or tingling.

Does it get worse?

The longer you wait, the less likely it will be repaired.

What should people do if this happens to them?

I would follow up with a hand surgeon and be evaluated in a timely fashion. That can make a difference in your treatment plan.

ASSH Hand Hand Surgeon

How to find a good hand surgeon

Dec 11,2015 / By The Hand Society / No Comment

FAHS screens hot Hand surgeons do much more than perform surgery. They can treat you for minor injuries such as a sprained wrist or jammed finger, or give you options for conditions such as carpal tunnel or trigger finger. Even if you’re simply experiencing pain in your hands, visiting a hand surgeon is the best option.

With the new and improved Find a Hand Surgeon tool from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, you can search for a hand surgeon near you from our database of thousands of hand surgeons, all of which are members of our Society. Search by location (city or state or zip code) or search for a specific doctor that you may be familiar with. You can view the results on a Google map to see which surgeons are near you.

Visit www.HandCare.org to use the Find a Hand Surgeon tool and learn about conditions and injuries of the upper extremity.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Description, Symptoms and Treatment

Dec 7,2015 / By The Hand Society / No Comment

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that is caused by pressure or stretching of the ulnar nerve (the “funny bone”), which can cause you to feel numbness or tingling, pain and/or weakness in the hand and fingers. It can prevent you from performing daily tasks and affect you during the night.

This condition can be treated with simple activity modification, but surgery may be needed.

Watch this 3-minute video to learn more about Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, including possible symptoms and your treatment options. Visit www.HandCare.org to read about this condition in detail.

Anatomy Bones Finger Hand

Anatomy 101: Finger Bones

Dec 3,2015 / By The Hand Society / No Comment

Did you know that there are 27 bones in the hand and wrist? The hand is a very complex anatomical structure. Fingers, also known as phalanges, have three bones each. The finger bones, as shown in the figure above, are:

Proximal phalanges: Above the metacarpals, below the knuckle
Middle phalanges: Just above the knuckle
Distal phalanges: At the fingertip

The thumb mimics the other fingers but does not have a middle phalanx. Metacarpals are hand bones that line up with the fingers. They give the hand its structure and serve as an attachment for many small muscles, tendons and ligaments in the hand.

Learn more about the bones of the fingers, hand and wrist on the anatomy page at www.HandCare.org.

Monthly Archives: Dec 2015