Hand arthritis can have a huge impact on performance of daily tasks. Activities like brushing your teeth or opening a jar can be painful and challenging. If you have pain and limitations due to hand arthritis, there are many products available to help improve hand function.
Hand surgeon David Friedman, MD, FACS, answers your questions about preparing for an upcoming hand surgery.
1. Will I need medical clearance before surgery? What other tests might I need?
Medical clearance may require a visit to your primary care physician and/or a specialist like a cardiologist or pulmonologist. Whether or not you require medical clearance depends on many factors including your age, medical history, and the type of surgery and anesthesia you are having. You may require blood work, an EKG, and/or a chest X-ray. For some types of surgery and depending upon your age and health status, no pre-operative clearance or testing may be needed.
from the Cleveland Clinic
What is that bony lump on the back of your hand? Meet your carpal boss. Like your 9-to-5 boss, a carpal boss can be annoying. (But it probably won’t cause the same level of pain and suffering.)
“A carpal boss occurs on the back of the wrist where the pointer finger and middle finger meet the wrist bones,” says hand specialist Yuji Umeda, MD, PhD. “Most people can live with it when it’s just an unsightly condition. But if it involves pain, there are options that provide relief.”
A dislocated shoulder happens when enough force is applied to the arm that the ball dislocates from the socket. If you’ve dislocated your shoulder, you’re likely feeling a lot of pain, your shoulder may appear abnormal, and it’s likely difficult to move your arm/shoulder.
The best way to fix a dislocated shoulder is to visit the emergency room or a healthcare professional such as an upper extremity surgeon. Here’s why you should visit a professional rather than doing it yourself:
