Scapho-Lunate Ligament Injuries

Scapho-lunate (SL) ligament injuries are serious injuries to the wrist. The scapho-lunate ligament connects two of the most important bones of the wrist together: the scaphoid and the lunate. The scapho-lunate ligament keeps those small bones of the wrist moving together in a normal, synchronous

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Metacarpophalangeal Joint (MPJ) and Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) Joint Arthroscopy

The metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) is the large joint where the finger connects to the hand. The proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is the middle joint of the finger. If pain occurs at these joints, initial treatment consists of buddy-taping the finger to its neighbor and an injection. If the

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Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) Joint Injuries

The proximal interphalangeal joint is the middle joint of your finger. It is an unforgiving joint when injured, and often becomes extremely stiff. What most people don't realize is that the bones of the fingers heal extremely quickly, and if this joint suffers a severe injury it can become

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Suprascapular Nerve Compression

The suprascapular nerve is the nerve to the rotator cuff. The suprascapular nerve runs in the back of the shoulder, where it can be compressed. This is effectively the 'carpal tunnel syndrome of the shoulder', although it's nowhere near as common.
Suprascapular nerve compression leads to pain

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Hamate Hook (Hamulus) Fractures

Fractures of the Hook of the Hamate (also called the "Hamulus") occur mainly in people who play racket or batting sports, such as tennis, golf or baseball. Hamate hook fractures lead to pain in the base of the palm on the small finger's side.
If seen soon after injury, Hamate Hook fractures are

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Stiff Fingers

Stiff fingers may occur following injuries to the hand or wrist. The first-line treatment for this is hand therapy, often using splints with springs or rubber bands on them to stretch out the digits. If therapy fails and the finger stiffness is decreasing hand function, a surgical solution can

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Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Arthritis

Arthritis of the AC joint leads to pain at the top of the shoulder. This happens more frequently in laborers and weight-lifters, but is very common in the general population as well. The diagnosis of AC joint arthritis is best made on physical examination. This is because arthritic changes of

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Distal Radius Osteotomy

Many wrist fractures heal in 'suboptimal' position, either because they were not surgically fixed or because the surgical fixation did not turn out well. When a wrist fracture heals in poor position (called a 'malunion') it can lead to deformity, pain, stiffness, weakness, and dysfunction,

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Flexor Carpi Radialis (FCR) Tendinitis

The flexor carpi radialis (FCR) is one of the tendons that helps flex the wrist. It is located on the palmar surface of the wrist, near the base of the thumb. Overuse, such as occurs with repetitive lifting with the palm up, may lead to FCR tendinitis. This is similar to DeQuervain's tendinitis

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Biceps Tendon Disorders

The biceps tendon has two muscle 'heads' that contribute to it, the long head and the short head. The long head goes through the shoulder, where it often has problems. It can fully tear, partially tear, become painfully degenerative, or sublux/dislocate out of its groove. Any of these conditions

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EPL Tendon Rupture

The EPL (extensor pollicis longus) tendon extends your thumb. Following a wrist fracture, or sometimes due to arthritis and bone spur formation, the EPL tendon can rupture. In cases of arthritis, the EPL tendon rubs can rub across a bone spur until it abrades and fails. In cases of fracture, the

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The 1st Metacarpal Osteotomy for Basilar (Basal) Thumb Pain in Young Adults

Arthritis commonly affects the base of the thumb. Older patients, or those with more advanced arthritis, are well-treated by the LRTI procedure, which is well-covered in this website. While the LRTI is extremely effective, it may be more surgery than a younger patient with less-advanced

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The Stiff Finger

There are many causes of finger stiffness. Usually finger stiffness is due to previous fracture, ligament injury or surgery. Finger stiffness can be debilitating and may severely impair hand function.
Initial treatment for finger stiffness is hand therapy. A certified hand therapist will be

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SLAP Lesions

SLAP lesions are tears of the superior labrum (meniscus-like tissue around the glenoid socket) that include the attachment of the biceps tendon. These are uncommon injuries, except in throwing athletes and in patients who have had significant trauma (ski accidents, bad falls, motor vehicle

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Wrist Arthritis

Wrist arthritis is very common. Wrist arthritis may occur from ligament injuries, fractures, or from chronic overuse. Wrist arthritis leads to pain, stiffness and often swelling of the wrist.
Regardless of why the wrist arthritis occurred, nonoperative treatment should usually be tried first.

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Extensor Tendon Lacerations

I'm lecturing Friday on hand lacerations: injuries to the flexor tendons, extensor tendons, nerve and arteries of the fingers and hand. One of the biggest changes in the treatment of hand lacerations is related to the extensor tendons. When I was training in the 1990's, extensor tendon

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Proximal Ulna Fractures

Proximal Ulna fractures are fairly common elbow injuries. There are two main types: olecranon fractures and coronoid fractures. Unfortunately, both types of proximal ulnar fractures frequently require surgical management.
Olecranon Fractures:
Non-displaced olecranon fractures (cracks in the

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Radial Head Fractures

Radial head fractures are the most common fracture of the elbow. Most commonly, they are minimally displaced (ie. not moved very much). While minimally displaced radial head fractures don't require surgery, they can still cause problems.
Far and away, the most common problem people have

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Triangular Fibrocartilage (TFC) Tears

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFC) is a very common source of pain on the ulnar (small finger) side of your wrist. The TFC is the main ligament that stabilizes the distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ). The DRUJ is the part of the wrist joint that lies between the two bones of your forearm

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Elbow Arthritis

Elbow arthritis can limit function, cause pain, and lead to serious impairment of the arm. Initial treatment includes a steroid injection and decreasing any painful activities. Sometimes a rubber-like sleeve worn over the elbow can help decrease pain by providing some stability, warmth and

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