Posted on 04/30/2021
Do you often feel pins and needles or numbness in your hand or fingers? Carpal tunnel is a common condition that affects the hand. If you have this syndrome, you may feel discomfort, general weakness, and numbness in your wrist and hand. The uneasiness comes about when there is increased strain on your median nerve.
Posted on 03/25/2021
Surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is done through either open surgery or using an endoscope, which is a thin tube that has a camera attached. The doctor makes a small incision on your wrist, or both wrist and palm then guides the endoscope through the opening. With the camera, the doctor can see and evaluate the structures in your wrist without cutting it open. As such, the endoscopic approach minimizes tearing and scaring.
Posted on 02/16/2021
Your hands are composed of a network of bones, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, tendons, and nerves. All these components are complementary to each other. But, your nerves are the ultimate determinant of the use of your hands. They allow you to touch and feel. Thus, damage to the nerves has a debilitating effect on your use of hands.
Posted on 01/31/2021
Damaged nerves can be repaired, depending on the type of nerve, the injury, and the extent of the damage. If the nerve is only injured and not cut, it will most likely heal by itself. Nerves that are completely severed are difficult to treat, and some may never recover fully. But, hand surgery may improve the outcome for many cases of nerve damage.
Posted on 12/31/2020
You use your hands for almost everything you do. Unfortunately, hands also bear the brunt when it comes to falling items, falls, trips, and other types of accidents.
Posted on 11/30/2020
According to the American Orthopedic Association, distal radius fractures are common. Studies show the radius is a bone that usually breaks easily in your arm. When there is a break in the distal radius, the area near the wrist has a fracture.
Posted on 10/31/2020
Hands are some of the most useful parts of the body. They are required to carry out most activities, from simple chores to the most difficult tasks. Life can become very difficult when you are unable to use your hands effectively.
Posted on 09/29/2020
Soft tissue injuries to the hands are fairly common and are often the result of the hands or fingers being stretched beyond their usual capabilities, or from suffering a direct trauma.
Posted on 08/12/2020
Soft tissue injuries are a very common occurrence and a key cause of visits to emergency rooms across the country. Soft tissue is responsible for surrounding, supporting and connecting organs with other parts of the body.
Posted on 07/31/2020
Have you ever experienced numbness or tingling in your hands or feet? It could be accompanied by burning, shooting or stabbing pains, or a loss of coordination or weakness? If the answer is yet, then you could be suffering from peripheral nerve damage.
Posted on 06/29/20
Arthritis of the elbow can cause pain when you straighten or bend your elbow. Carrying things, such as a briefcase, can be quite difficult.
Posted on 05/26/2020
According to rheumatologists, arthritis in the knee is also known as osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative condition that usually affects people at least 50 years of age and older. However, in some cases, osteoarthritis can also occur in younger individuals. When you have this type of arthritis, the cartilage in your knee joint slowly deteriorates. Although there are factors such as gender, aging, and genetics that you cannot control, here are some healthy steps that can help prevent osteoarthritis.
Posted on 04/30/2020
Do you want to know the five common types of arthritis? Let’s talk about them briefly, one at a time.
Posted on 03/30/2020
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that is estimated to affect around 54 million Americans, although it is significantly more common in women than men. There are various types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the type that is most prevalent in knees. Osteoarthritis is related to aging and is characterized by the swelling, tenderness, and stiffness of the joints. It occurs because the protective cartilage on the ends of the bones breaks down, meaning that the joint doesn’t work as smoothly as before. Bony growths can also develop, further inhibiting movement.
Posted on 02/28/2020
The most common cause of arthritis in the elbow is rheumatoid arthritis, although osteoarthritis and injuries can also cause arthritis to occur in the elbow joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive disease that is caused by having an overactive immune system. This overaction causes the body to produce antibodies that attack the lining of healthy joints. In the elbow, patients can expect to experience inflammation and swelling in the joint lining, and this can cause an aching, throbbing pain.
Posted on 01/30/2020
There is no doubt that smartphones have transformed our lives, and in many ways, it has been for the better. It is now much easier to stay connected to colleagues, family, and friends thanks to both calls and social media channels, and there is an app for virtually everything – from monitoring our health and fitness to finding a delicious recipe for dinner. However, the amount of time that we spend using our smartphones has increased year on year for the last decade. Recent statistics suggest that as much as 70% of web traffic happens on mobile devices, with smartphones by far the most popular digital device. Another study by Flurry, a digital analytics company, found that the ‘average’ person spends just under 3 hours each day on their phone, and for some people, their daily screen time blows that figure out of the water.
Posted on 06/12/2019
Arthritis can occur anywhere in our body, and it is particularly common in our hands. There are two types of arthritis that can affect the hands are osteoarthritis, which is when wear and tear on the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time, and rheumatoid arthritis, which is caused by inflammation in the joints.
Posted on 05/28/2019
Blood circulation is a crucial body function. It forms part of the cardiovascular system, which consists of the heart and all of the blood vessels that run throughout the body. When we breath, oxygenated blood is transported around our body to our cells, organs and tissues so that we can function day in day out.
Posted on 07/05/2019
Arthritis is a health problem that is characterized by an inflammation of the joints in the body. It is the leading cause of disability in America, estimated to affect as many as 50 million adults and 300,000 children.
Posted on 05/07/2019
The wrist is comprised of eight small bones which connect to the two long bones that make up your forearm. These forearm bones are called the radius and ulna and the radius is the most common bone involved in a wrist fracture. Unfortunately, wrist fractures are fairly common occurrences and although there are many different reasons for someone to experience one, the most common cause of a wrist fracture is a fall where the patient has put their hands out to stop themselves from hitting the floor. Often, the force of their hands against the floor can cause bones in the wrist and forearm to break. If you suffer from osteoporosis, you have weak bones and this puts you at greater risk of experiencing any sort of broken bone including a wrist fracture.
Posted on 03/15/2019
Peripheral nerve damage, also referred to as peripheral neuropathy, refers to a condition whereby the patient experiences damage to the nerves in the extremities of the body – namely the hands, feet and arms.
Posted on 12/30/2019
Grip strength is often misconstrued as simple hand strength. Although the strength of your hands does factor into it, there are actually many other elements to think about. This is because grip requires the use of muscles extending right from the elbow down to the fingertips. It is for this reason that some conditions that affect the elbow and forearm, such as tendonitis and epicondylitis, can have a significant effect on our ability to properly grip and hold objects.
Posted on 11/21/2019
Carpal tunnel is a very real and debilitating problem for the people who experience it. It occurs when the narrow passageway in the wrist, called the carpal tunnel, becomes compressed. The carpal tunnel contains the median nerve, which is the main nerve serving the forearm, wrist, and hand.
Posted on 10/31/2019
Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS as it is sometimes referred to, is an extremely common problem amongst people who spend large amounts of time making small, repetitive moments with their wrists and forearms. This could include tasks such as knitting, woodworking, playing a musical instrument, writing or painting. However, carpal tunnel is most often seen in people who spent a lot of time working at a computer, in particular, typing.
Posted on 09/30/2019
Our fingers contain a number of different bones. These are called phalanges, and whilst the thumb only has two of these, our other fingers all have three. Fractures can affect any of the phalanges as well as the knuckle, which is the joint where the bones of the finger meet. Unfortunately, the fact that we use our hands continuously throughout the day puts them at high risk of being injured. In many cases, those injuries can result in a broken finger.
Posted on 08/26/2019
Our hands and particularly our fingers are something that are easy to take for granted. We rely on them for countless tasks day to day, such as picking up objects, eating and even changing television channel. Unfortunately, our fingers are easily injured too, with them inadvertently becoming knocked, trapped and more. Whilst there are lots of different injuries that can affect our hands, one of the most serious is a severed finger.
Posted on 07/25/2019
Knuckle-cracking is a fairly common habit with between 25 and 54% of people making it a daily occurrence. It may aggravate the people around you, but for the person doing it, it can create a sense of relief. There are many different reasons why people crack their knuckles, ranging from a nervous habit to helping them to relieve tension in their hands. It is also a habit that is much more common amongst men than women.
Posted on 01/17/2019
There are many different ways in which hand pain can affect us. This could range from a dull ache or throbbing that comes and goes to acute pain that occurs when you move your hands in a certain way or into a particular position. The type of pain that you are experiencing could depend on the root cause of your discomfort. While there are many different potential causes of hand pain, there are some that are more common than others.
Posted on 09/17/18
Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, is a widely diagnosed condition that affects the hands and wrists. It is caused by compression of a narrow channel that runs from the forearm into the wrist called the carpal tunnel. This channel is made up of the bones of the wrist which run underneath it, and the transverse carpal ligament which runs across the top. Through the center of the channel runs the median nerve, which is the main nerve that delivers messages between the central nervous system and wrist and hands. It also delivers feeling to the thumb, forefinger, middle finger and half of the ring finger. Nine tendons serving these fingers also pass through the carpal tunnel. Exactly what causes the carpal tunnel to compress can vary from person to person, as too can the way in which the condition affects your hands.
Posted on 12/17/2018
The carpal tunnel itself is a narrow passage in the wrist that is designed to protect the main nerve, called the median nerve, affecting the hand. It also protects the nine tendons that are responsible for moving and flexing the first three fingers. When the carpal tunnel becomes compressed, the nerves are also squeezed, and this can cause a range of symptoms including tingling, numbness and weakness. While treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is available, it is possible to prevent the condition from occurring in the first place.
Posted on 11/19/2018
Know more about the benefits of getting endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery today. For more details, call us at 510.904.1100.
Posted on 10/19/2018
One of the best ways to improve the outcome of any surgery is to take steps to prepare yourself before your appointment. This will help you to feel calmer and more in control ahead of your surgery as you will know what to expect and be in the best possible health. Here are our top tips for how to prepare before hand surgery.
Posted on 08/19/2018
Carpal tunnel syndrome, also known as CTS, is a fairly common condition affecting between 4 and 10 million Americans at any one time. It is caused when pressure is placed on a nerve in your wrist, compressing it so that the messages that are usually sent through it become intermittent. This causes a wide range of different symptoms, some of which are minor but others that can be debilitating.
Posted on 07/17/2018
Arthritis is a very common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints of the body. For some patients, just one joint may be affected. However, for others they may have a variety of joints in different areas affected at any one time. Although it is believed to be most common amongst older people, anyone of any age can suffer from the condition.
Posted on 06/19/2018
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common disorder believed to affect as many as 6 million Americans at any one time. It is closely linked to repetitive strain injury or RSI – a condition which is characterized by swelling and inflammation due to a job or hobby that requires repetitive movements. When this swelling affects the wrist or hand, it can cause the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway containing a key nerve serving the hand, to become compressed. When this happens, the patient can experience a range of unpleasant and sometimes debilitating symptoms including strange sensations such as tingling or numbness, weakness in the affected area and discomfort or pain.
Posted on 05/19/2018
Trigger finger is a fairly common but painful condition that is characterized by one or more fingers that are stuck in a ‘bent’ position and then suddenly pop out straight in the trigger action from which it gets its name. Although it may seem comedic at first, trigger finger is not only painful, but also highly debilitating for the patient who will find their ability to use their hands properly compromised. This means that they may struggle to do their job or take part in activities that they enjoy. Finding an effective treatment is essential if the patient is to be able to live life to the full.
Posted on 04/19/2018
If you have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), then you have probably tried a variety of different remedies to alleviate your symptoms and restore the full use of your hand and wrist again. While many treatments provide temporary relief for the majority of patients, those who suffer severely or have repeated bouts of CTS may find themselves considering surgical intervention. In the past, patients had no choice but to have a highly invasive procedure. However, as with most medical procedures, CTS surgery has evolved, there is now a much more minimally invasive option available to patients – endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery.
Posted on 03/19/2018
If you are suffering from numbness, tingling or pain in your fingers, hands or wrists, then you could be one of the estimated 6 million Americans currently suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – or CTS. This common condition has a number of different neurological side effects, including numbness and prickling of the skin. However, CTS is a progressive condition and the symptoms tend to worsen over time. When this happens, pain can quickly become the most unpleasant and debilitating effect of living with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Posted on 02/19/2018
If you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, you may have some painful and debilitating symptoms that are getting in the way of your everyday life. They could be preventing you from doing your job properly, or from taking part in the hobbies that you enjoy the most. Whatever the effect that CTS is having on your life, it certainly won’t be a positive one. Thankfully, carpal tunnel syndrome is a completely reversible condition and if it doesn’t disappear of its own accord, there are things that you can do to help.
Posted on 01/17/2018
Gaming has been popular since its inception. Nevertheless, the rapid evolution of technology over the last few decades that has seen computer games become more realistic, challenging and engaging than ever before has sent the popularity of gaming through the roof. Indeed, many people cite gaming as one of their favorite pastimes and the average time spent on computer games each day is rising year on year. However, screen time is not the only thing on the rise. Over the last few years, doctors have also seen an increasing number of gamers suffering from a hand and wrist condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Posted on 12/18/2017
Most people know that the central nervous system refers to the nerves that run through the brain and spinal cord. However, far fewer people have heard of the peripheral nervous system, which is the name given to the system of nerves that extend outside of your brain and spinal cord and instead branch out to the ‘peripheral’ parts of your body.
Posted on 11/17/2017
Many people live under the misconception that tennis elbow is something that only affects tennis players. In fact, it the everyday name given to a condition which causes pain around the outside of the elbow – lateral epicondylitis. It can affect many different people, and cause pain and make it difficult to fully extend your arm.
Posted on 10/16/2017
Hand and wrist pain are common complaints, resulting in thousands of appointments to visit doctors and other medical professionals every year. Whether your discomfort is mild or severe, left untreated it can impact your ability to fulfil your daily tasks, and in some cases, have a highly detrimental effect on your overall quality of life. So, why do we get pain in our hands and wrists? In this post, we will examine some of the most common causes of hand and wrist pain, and what you can do to minimize your risk of developing problems with these crucial parts of your body.
Posted on 09/15/2017
There is no doubt that in the last decade, the smartphone has revolutionized our day to day lives. Checking our emails, reading the latest news, catching up with friends, family and even brands using social media, playing games, booking tickets and performing real-time price checks are just a handful of the things that a smartphone enables us to do. Recognizing the convenience and opportunities they offer, today approximately 77% of American citizens now own a smartphone¹, a percentage which has more than doubled in the last five years. However, as useful as smartphones are to our day to day lives, many users have started to report that they are experiencing increased frequency and levels of finger, hand and wrist pain – something numerous experts are attributing to increased smartphone usage. Let’s take a look at some of the most common smartphone hand-related issues.
Posted on 08/16/2017
When it comes to hand and wrist problems, carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common contributors. A condition that causes mild to severe pain, changes in sensation and even limited movement, it affects more than 8 million people each year.
Posted on 07/28/2017
No one wants or needs the inconvenience of hand or wrist problems. Here is our guide to some of the most common hand and wrist injuries and how to avoid them.
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Douglas Chin, M.D.
Board-Certified Hand Surgeon
© 2021 East Bay Hand & Upper Extremity
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