hand and wrist
Extensor Tendon Tear
Tendons connect muscles to bones to help them move. Extensor tendons straighten joints, while flexor tendons help them bend. When people suffer an extensor tendon tear in their hand, they cannot fully straighten the affected finger(s) or wrist. Common Extensor Tendon Tear Tendons are strong, thick bands of fibrous tissue that connect muscles to bones. […]
Flexor Tendon Tear
The flexor tendons of the hand and wrist are cord-like bands that connect the bones of the fingers and thumb to the muscles in the forearm. These strong and smooth tendons flex or bend your fingers and thumbs as you pick up or grip something. Flexor tendons are like rubber bands. A complete flexor tendon […]
Dupuytren’s Contracture: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments
It’s easy to take simple, day-to-day maneuvers for granted — putting on gloves, opening jars, or turning a doorknob. Easy, that is, until you start to lose those abilities. If you have a condition called Dupuytren’s contracture, simply laying your hand flat on a table or putting it into your pocket may eventually prove impossible. […]
Wrist Tendonitis: Anatomy, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments
The wrist is a complex joint that not only moves the hand back and forth and side to side but also provides strength and flexibility to the hand and transfers forces from the arm to the hand (and vice versa). Made up of multiple bones, smaller joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels, the wrist […]
Are brachial plexus injuries serious?
The not-so-satisfying short answer: It depends. Like any other orthopedic injury, the seriousness of a brachial plexus injury depends on its cause, severity and treatment options. What is the brachial plexus? The brachial plexus is a network of five intertwined nerves that stretch from the neck, through the upper chest and into the armpit. This bundle of […]
What is an orthopedic sports medicine doctor?
Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior or simply lead an active lifestyle, you will almost certainly suffer from an orthopedic injury at one point or another. A study in the Journal of Athletic Training found that while male athletes had a higher rate of acute injuries, female athletes see a higher rate of overuse […]
All About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common nerve disorders in the United States, affecting 4 to 10 million Americans every year. In general, carpal tunnel is more prolific in the middle-aged and older population and affects women up to three times more often than men. If you think you’re suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, the […]
Do I Need a Wrist Specialist? What Type of Doctor to See for Wrist Pain
According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, it’s estimated that 11 – 20% of emergency room visits in the United States are for hand and wrist injuries. That may seem like a disproportionate percentage of visits, but Americans – especially service people, laborers and those in computer-based careers – injure […]
The Most Common Mountain Biking Injuries: Stats and Types of Injuries
After the snow has melted and the trails have dried, throngs of mountain biking enthusiasts flock to their local mountains to tackle tough climbs and race downhill with abandon. No matter whether you’re a newbie, a weekend warrior or adrenaline junky on the hill every day, you can expect to suffer from a mountain biking […]
What Causes Numbness in Hands? Common Causes, Injuries and Diagnoses
Like many aches, pains and frustratingly unspecific symptoms, numb hands can be caused by a whole host of environmental factors, personal health factors and a variety of medical conditions. Before falling down a rabbit hole of unlikely and scary diagnoses, however, it’s important to know that the most common causes of numb hands aren’t as […]