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Everyday aches and pains can be easy to dismiss or ignore, especially when you live a busy lifestyle. However, when pain is persistent and debilitating, it’s likely time to consult a medical professional. Pain in the wrist or hands is particularly prevalent among those who complete repetitive motions for long periods throughout the day, such as musicians, carpenters, assembly line workers, mechanics and people who use computers. This type of pain may be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The median nerve extends from the forearm through a tunnel at the front of the wrist and along the tendons of the hand. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed, or pinched, where it passes over the carpal bones due to surrounding pressure from bones and ligaments. It is widely characterized by feelings of numbness, burning, tingling and pain in the hand, fingers and arm.

Signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Those experiencing the following symptoms may have carpal tunnel syndrome:

  • Numbness or “pins and needles” feeling in the fingers, hand and arm.
  • Burning sensation in the hand and fingers.
  • Radiating pain from the hand to the elbow.
  • Loss of strength and motor skills in the hand.
  • Difficulty writing or gripping objects.

For many, the pain or numbness is worse at night than it is during the day and can even interrupt or prevent sleep.

What To Do About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

As with all other medical conditions, it is important to consult a qualified orthopedic physician to properly identify and receive proper care for carpal tunnel syndrome. Treatment largely depends upon the severity of the issue and can range from non-prescription non-steroidal anti-flammatory drugs (NSAID) like ibuprofen to occupational therapy. In some cases, surgery may be required.

If you are experiencing acute or chronic pain, contact the orthopedic specialists at Southeast Ortho as soon as possible. Our experienced team of surgeons and physicians specialize in the intricate bones and tendons of the hand and wrist.

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Having Wrist Pain? These Symptoms May Indicate Carpal Tunnel

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Everyday aches and pains can be easy to dismiss or ignore, especially when you live a busy lifestyle. However, when pain is persistent and debilitating, it’s likely time to consult a medical professional. Pain in the wrist or hands is particularly prevalent among those who complete repetitive motions for long periods throughout the day, such as musicians, carpenters, assembly line workers, mechanics and people who use computers. This type of pain may be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The median nerve extends from the forearm through a tunnel at the front of the wrist and along the tendons of the hand. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed, or pinched, where it passes over the carpal bones due to surrounding pressure from bones and ligaments. It is widely characterized by feelings of numbness, burning, tingling and pain in the hand, fingers and arm.

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The Difference Between Chronic and Acute Pain

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Pain is often the body’s way of indicating that something is wrong. This form of pain is typically associated with acute conditions. However, sometimes pain is a condition itself rather than a symptom of a condition. This type of discomfort is called chronic pain. Knowing the difference between each form of pain can help you seek the best form of treatment available. Learn the differences between acute and chronic pain below.

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Signs That You Might Have a Pinched Nerve

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Pinched nerves, also known as compressed nerves, are usually the result of a nerve being pressed between two hard surfaces like ligaments, tendons or bones. Numbness, pain and a tingling sensation are often cited as the most common symptoms.

Pinched nerves can occur throughout the body, but certain areas are more susceptible, including the neck, elbows, wrists, lower back and shoulders. Read below to learn more about the signs of a pinched nerve. If you are experiencing nerve pain or numbness, consult with a sports medicine specialist or a physician immediately.

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Common Gymnastics Injuries

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Gymnastics is a highly technical and demanding sport, which is associated with a high rate of injury. In fact, more than 80,000 gymnastics-related sports injuries are treated each year in the U.S. alone. While the majority of these injuries are overuse injuries resulting from hours and hours of repetitive motions, acute injuries due to falls or other accidents are also relatively common. Here, we will discuss some of the most common gymnastics-related injuries as well as how to avoid them.

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Should You Consider Knee Replacements?

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Total knee replacement is a relatively common type of orthopedic surgery with approximately 600,000 patients undergoing the procedure every year in the United States. The most common reason for needing a knee replacement is osteoarthritis in which the cartilage between the joint and bone is gradually worn away. This damage to the cartilage consequently results in swelling, stiffness and pain, and since the cartilage cannot be renewed, surgery may eventually be needed. Other relatively common reasons for needing a knee replacement include rheumatoid arthritis and direct knee trauma.

While the success rate of knee replacements is very high, this surgery is not right for everyone. However, if the answer to the following questions is yes for you, knee replacement may be the right decision.

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Prevent Ulnar Wrist Pain from Tennis

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Wrist pain is highly common in tennis players, including both amateurs and pros. In most cases, wrist injuries are the result of chronic overuse of the wrist, improper technique or inappropriate equipment, such as the wrong size grip or improper string tension. However, acute injuries from falling or not hitting the ball correctly are also common.

Wrist pain can be divided into two main types: radial (thumb-side) and ulnar (pinkie-side) injuries. Many players experience ulnar pain in their non-dominant hand during two-handed backhand strokes. During these strokes,the upper hand is placed in extreme ulnar deviation and extension while moving from supination to pronation.

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Who Should Have a Hip Replacement?

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Each year, approximately 290,000 hip replacement surgeries are conducted in the United States alone. Since the procedure was first performed in 1960, advances in the surgical techniques and materials used have made it one of the most successful and effective orthopedic surgeries. The goal of the procedure is to greatly decrease hip pain and to allow an increased range of motion at the hip, allowing patients to get back to most of their daily activities.

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Common Shoulder Injuries for Athletes

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Shoulder injuries and shoulder pain are relatively common among athletes and can range widely in their severity and symptoms. In many cases, it can be difficult to diagnose the specific type of shoulder injury when it first occurs, so early evaluation and intervention by an orthopedic sports medicine specialist is essential.

Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain in athletes are shoulder dislocations, acromioclavicular joint injuries, rotator cuff tendonitis and tears, labral and superior labral anteroposterior tears, fractures and arthritis as well as activity-specific injuries such as “thrower’s shoulder,” “swimmer’s shoulder” and “rugby shoulder,” among others. (more…)

Don’t Wait Too Long for Joint Replacement

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Joint replacement surgery, particularly of the knee and hip, is becoming increasingly common in the United States. Almost 5 percent of all Americans over the age of 50 have reportedly undergone total knee replacement with more than 600,000 Americans undergoing knee replacement each year. Hip replacement surgery, which is the second most common joint replacement surgery, is performed on approximately 120,000 people every year in the U.S.

The leading cause of joint replacement is osteoarthritis, which is characterized by the inflammation of certain joints. Osteoarthritis is generally caused by wear and tear or by previous trauma to the affected body part. (more…)

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