Former NFL football star quarterback John Elway has recently become a spokesperson for Dupuytren’s disease. He has made multiple media appearances and has been in commercials to promote awareness of this condition. Dupuytren’s is also known as “Vikings Disease” due to the large percentage of affected patients with Scandinavian and Northern European ancestry. In this […]
In the United States, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and turmeric are sold as nutritional supplements over-the-counter. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not oversee or regulate the quality of these products or critically review the claims made by advertisements. Therefore, keep in mind that what you see on TV or what you read on the label, […]
Needle aponeurotomy (NA) is a minimally-invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia in the office. This procedure is also referred to as “percutaneous fasciotomy” by some surgeons. Using the tip of a syringe needle, the tight cords in the palm are perforated multiple times. Then the fingers are manipulated to rupture the cords, allowing the fingers to […]
The opioid epidemic continues to get worse in many communities throughout the United States. More families are now being affected by addiction, overdose, and death from narcotics than ever before. Overdose is now the main cause of death for Americans aged less than 50 years. 1 in 5 deaths in young adults is related to […]
If you recently hurt your wrist and the emergency room or urgent care doctor told you that you broke a bone in your wrist, I am sure that you have a lot of questions. While you are waiting for your follow-up appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, you may be wondering several things including: do I […]
Most people are aware of the harm that smoking causes to the heart and lungs. In 1964 the U.S. Surgeon General released the landmark report linking tobacco use and lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. Since then, cardiologists, pulmonologists, and primary-care physicians have helped to educate the public about the risks. However, the negative effects of tobacco […]
Professional rock climber, and arguably one of the best rock climbers in the world, Tommy Caldwell, climbed the 3,000 foot vertical face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. He pioneered a new route to the top along the sheer, granite cliff, known at the Dawn Wall, which was previously thought to be an impossible […]
Common carpal tunnel symptoms include: tingling or “pins and needles” in fingertips night pain in hand, waking up from sleep numbness in thumb, index and middle fingers hand weakness In most cases, the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is based on symptoms, medical history, and physical examination. A steroid injection into the carpal tunnel (cortisone […]
Thumb arthritis is a common cause of thumb pain. At the base of the thumb is a special joint called the carpo-meta-carpal (CMC) joint. The thumb CMC gives our thumbs a wide range of thumb motion. The ability to touch the thumb to the small finger is called “opposition.” This function makes human hands special. […]
Tumors of the hand and upper extremity are surprisingly common. They can occur in people of all ages — from children to the elderly. Fortunately, the vast majority of these tumors are benign, NOT cancerous. Nevertheless, every tumor should be carefully evaluated. Benign tumors which do not cause pain, dysfunction, or problems do not require […]
