Ask about Hands.com

Not just hands. Lets talk about the shoulder.

Posted on Friday, 22nd August 2008 by admin

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Remember always see you doctor is you are having pain.

The rotator cuff may sound familiar to some of you. The rotator cuff are 4 muscles that provide dynamic stability to your shoulder. They are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. Irritation to these muscles can be caused by repetitive activity, sports, overhead work, poor posture, or sudden injury. You may feel pain and have difficulty to move your shoulder.

Tendinitis- is an inflamed tendon

Impingement syndrome- is when the bursa and/or tendon is swollen which reduces the space the tendon has to move through and becomes impinged (especially when reaching overhead) In some people, the acromion (acromion is at the top part of the space the tendon runs through) is hooked and creates less space for the tendons to move.

Calcific tendinitis- Are calcium deposits that form on the rotator cuff

Rotator cuff tear- is when the tendon Tears. The most common tendon to tear is the suprasinatus.

Treat recommended may include

Rest

Ice

Heat

You Doctor may recommend a shoulder injection or antiinflammatory medication

Exercises can be prescribed by a therapist and/or your doctor may include gentle movement to keep the shoulder flexible. Exercises with the shoulder below 90 degrees and rotator cuff strengthening in a protected position may be beneficial as well.

If you see a therapist they may provide ultrasound, electric stimulation or tens, and specfic exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff and scapula and keep you shoulder mobile and is good balance.

In some cases surgery may be required as in the case of a complete rotator cuff tear. The doctors repair the tear in the tendon and then you will have very strict exercises after surgery so that you do not damage the repair.

Feel free to send let me know if you have any questions!

Bridget

www.askabouthands.com

Tags: calcific tendinitis, exercises for the shoulder, hooked acromion, impingement, pain, rotator cuff, Rotator cuff tendinitis, shoulder, shoulder pain, shoulder surgery, tear in tendon, Tendinitis
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Do you have numbness or tingling in your hands and or arms?

Posted on Tuesday, 29th July 2008 by admin

As always-It s best to see your doctor if you have any numbness or tingling.

Numbness can be a sign of nerve compression somewhere in the arm. Also can be an indication of compression in the neck. There are 3 nerves that give the hand feeling. The median, radial and ulnar nerves.

The median nerve is the most commonly irritated and is also the nerve that is involved with carpal tunnel syndrome. With carpal tunnel syndrome the compression is at the wrist, in the carpal tunnel. People usually start waking up at night with numbness and Read the rest of this entry…

Tags: carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, dropping things, hand numbness, Hand Pain, hand tingling, median nerve, radial nerve, splints, ulnar nerve
Posted in Hand Numbness Tingling | Comments (2)

Hand Pain can be a real pain in the………..HAND!

Posted on Tuesday, 29th July 2008 by admin

There are many reasons people experience pain in the hand. There are tendons, joints, ligaments, soft tissue that can be irritated.

Joint pain can be an indication of arthritis or a ligament strain.

Painful popping or your finger getting stuck in flexion (bending toward the hand) can be an indication of trigger finger.

Pain with moving your finger can be tendinitis.

Each problems have different conservative treatments. It is always best to see your Dr. If you are having problems.

Arthritis- Use of heat, gentle finger movement to prevent stiffness and Read the rest of this entry…

Tags: arm pain, arthritis, Hand Pain, pain, Tendinitis, trigger finger
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De Quervain’s what the heck is that?

Posted on Tuesday, 22nd July 2008 by admin

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

Sounds complicated, but is is basically an inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the hand and wrist. It is usually caused by repetitive use of the hand such as grasping tools. New moms some times get it from repreatedly picking their child up under the arms. The best thing is to always see a doctor for any pain or symptoms on the hand. Wearing a thumb splint (that also crosses the wrist) is good to decrease the pain and rest the tendons. It is recommended to remove the splint multiple times a day for gentle thumb and wrist movement to prevent stiffness. Icing the painful tendons can also help with pain. Plese feel free to contact me with and questions!

Bridget

Tags: De Quervain's tenosynovitis, Hand Pain, inflammation, splint, Tendinitis, thumb pain, thumb splint, wrist pain
Posted in Tendinitis | Comments (0)

Tennis Elbow

Posted on Sunday, 20th July 2008 by admin

Tennis elbow…..and I do not even play tennis…

Remember it is always best to see your doctor when you are having pain or problems!

Most people I see with tennis elbow do not play racket sports. So how do they end up with tennis elbow? Tennis elbow can be caused by racket sports or activities that involve extending your arm and rotating the forearm like twisting a screw driver. People usually experience pain in the lateral elbow. The best ways to try to relieve symptoms is to rest so it can heal. Tennis elbow bands are great to use during activity and can decrease pain during work tasks. Be sure to wear the band about 1-2” below the elbow joint. Stretching before, during and after activity is helpful and a good preventative measure. Be sure to keep your work and activity close to you when possible and if you have to do any lifting, lift with your palms up (ie carrying grocery bags) When you lift with your palms up, you take the pressure off the irritated tendons. It is also helpful to ice and then provide cross friction massage to the painful tendons. Hope this helps reliive some of your symptoms.

Bridget

Tags: common elbow pain, elbow injury, elbow pain, Hand Pain, md, web
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All about hands….

Posted on Tuesday, 15th July 2008 by admin

Hi Welcome to ASK ABOUT HANDS.

I attended Utica collge of Syracuse University and received my BS in occupational therapy. I advanced my knowledge and became a certified hand therapist. I have been working as an occupational therapist for over 12 years helping people with a wide variety of hand and upper extremity problems including and not limited to carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, Dequrvain’s tenosynovitis, Dupuytrens, rotator cuff injuries and problems, complex hand injuries including gun shop wounds, tendon ruptures, arthritis, cumulative trauma, nerve disorders, tennis elbow….and the list goes on.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Tags: arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, certified hand therapist, dequervain's, Hand Pain, hand therapist, occupational therapist, shoulder pain
Posted in Common Injuries | Comments (1)