E-mail me with questions or topics you would like to hear more about.

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

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 tingling in the thumb, index, long and ½ of the ring fingers.  You  may have symptoms during the day at times during activities like gripping or computer tasks.  Most patients I see with carpal tunnel syndrome do not use the computer.

Treatment-Night splint for the wrist, gentle forearm stretching and modification of activities.  Avoid excessive gripping or working/sleeping with the wrist bent for a long period of time.

The ulnar nerve is most often irritated at the elbow and is referred to as cubital tunnel syndrome. People may experience numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers.  Symptoms can be at night and during the day. Excessive bending of the elbow joint irritated this nerve.

Treatment- avoid sleeping with elbows bent  and avoid leaning on elbows.

The Radial nerve is the least common irritated nerve and supplies feeling to the back of the thumb and web space area.  This can be irritated by carrying bags with straps over the wrist areas.

If you have any questions or concerns let me know!

Bridget OTR/L,CHT

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 at times splints for support can be helpful.

Ligamnet strains will usiually be painful on one side of the joint more than the other.  The best thing is to splint for support.  You should consult with a hand therapist or hand doctor for the best splinting position.

Trigger finger can be less irritiated by avoiding repetitive acrtivity and splinting the finger to avoid full flexion.

Tendinitis is treated with rest in a splint and ice and at times gentle stretching.

If you see a hand therapist the may offer use of iontophoresis to tranfer anti-inflammaroty medication throughthe skin, ultrasound and specific exercises.  The Doctors also may offer injections.

Please e-mail if you have any specific questions about hand pain.

Thanks- Bridget OTR/L,CHT

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

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