Wrist Pain and Movement Conditions
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Ganglion Cysts | Ulnar Nerve Entrapment | Hand Pain and Movement Conditions
Trigger Finger | De Quervain’s Tendonitis | Dupuytren's Contracture
Dr. Lazar is proud to offer Regeneration Therapy as a treatment option for his orthopedic patients in the Broward County, Plantation, Florida area. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment patients have responded well to Regenerative Injection Therapy using platelets and stem cells. Common wrist ailments treated by Dr. Lazar include carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglions, tendon and ligament injuries, and ulnar nerve entrapment.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is the passageway in the wrist, which is made up of eight bones in the wrist and ligaments. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common medical condition that occurs when the median nerve becomes pinched or compressed, due to swelling of the nerve or tendons or both. The median nerve provides sensation to the palm side of the thumb, index and middle fingers, and muscle power to the thumb. People with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually experience numbness, tingling, and weakness, in their fingers, wrist and arms.
Night symptoms and waking up at night are common characteristics of established carpal tunnel syndrome.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, and middle finger of one or both hands
- Numbness or tingling of the palm of the hand
- Pain extending to the elbow
- Pain in wrist or hand in one or both hands
- Problems with fine finger movements (coordination) in one or both hands
- Weak grip or difficulty carrying bags
- Weakness in one or both hands
Learn more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in our Patient Education Library.
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Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts are very common lumps within the hand and wrist that occur adjacent to joints or tendons. They can be found at different places on the wrist. Most of the time, they are harmless and will often disappear over time. These cysts are not cancerous and will not spread to other areas.
The most common locations of ganglions are on the top of the wrist, the palm side of the wrist, the base of the finger on the palm side, and the top of the end joint of the finger. The cause of these cysts is unknown although they may form in the presence of joint or tendon irritation or mechanical changes. They occur in patients of all ages and are more common in women than men.
A ganglion cyst contains a thick, clear, mucus-like fluid similar to the fluid found in the joint and resembles a water balloon on a stalk. Because the fluid-filled sac puts pressure on the nerves that pass through the joint, some ganglion cysts may be painful.
Treatment for a ganglion cyst does not usually require surgery. Because the ganglion is not cancerous and may disappear in time, waiting and watching to make sure that no changes occur is often recommended. Wearing a wrist brace or splint may sometimes be required to relieve painful symptoms. Immobilizing the wrist may also allow the ganglion to decrease in size.
If the ganglion causes significant pain or severely limits your activities, the doctor may choose to aspirate or drain the fluids. Aspiration is an office procedure in which the doctor numbs the wrist and punctures the cyst with a needle to remove the fluid. Part of the involved joint capsule or tendon sheath may also be removed. This is of little concern, but afterwards you may feel some tenderness, discomfort and swelling. You should be able to resume normal activities in two to six weeks.
Learn more about Ganglion Cysts in our Patient Education Library.
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Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
The ulnar nerve, one of the three main nerves in the arm, extends down the arm, across the elbow, and into the hand. When the nerve functions properly, it provides sensation to the pinky finger and half of the ring finger. It also controls most of the small muscles in the hand that help with fine motor movements, as well as some of the bigger muscles in the forearm that help to form a strong grip. You can actually feel this nerve as it passes behind the elbow and through a tight tunnel (the cubital tunnel) at the inside of the elbow.
When the nerve swells, usually due to an injury, it becomes trapped or compressed. The most common place where the nerve gets compressed is behind the elbow. Sometimes the compressed nerve is located at the wrist, beneath the collarbone, or as it comes out of the spinal cord in the neck. Although the problem usually originates in the elbow area, most symptoms occur in the hand and fingers because the ulnar nerve controls movement and sensation in this area.
Symptoms include:
- Tenderness along the inside of the elbow
- Tingling and numbness in little and ring fingers
- Numbness in your hand when the elbow is bent, such as when you drive or hold a telephone
- Difficulty with hand coordination
- Decreased strength in the hand; muscle weakness
- Pain along the inside border of the shoulder blade
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Hand Pain and Movement Conditions
Hand injuries treated in our practice include sprains, strains and injuries to the ligaments and tendons as well as ganglion cysts, trigger finger, De Quervain’s Tendonitis, Dupuytren’s contracture, and ulnar nerve entrapment, compression, or neuropathy
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Trigger Finger
A trigger finger occurs when the motion of the tendon that opens and closes the finger is limited, causing the finger to lock or catch as the finger is extended.
Tendons that control the movements of the fingers and thumb slide through a snug tunnel of tissue created by a series of pulleys that keeps the tendon in place. The tendon can become irritated as it slips through the tunnel. As it becomes more and more irritated, the tendon may thicken, making its passage through the tunnel more difficult. The tissues that hold the tendon in place may thicken, causing the opening of the tunnel to become smaller. As a result, the tendon becomes momentarily stuck at the mouth of the tunnel as the finger is extended. A pop may be felt as the tendon slips past the tight area. This why pain and catching may be felt as the finger is moved.
The cause is not always known. Trigger fingers are more common in women than men. They occur most frequently in people who are between the ages of 40 and 60 years of age. Trigger fingers are more common in people with certain medical problems, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms may include:
- The presence of a small lump, pain in the palm, and swelling
- A catching or popping sensation in the finger or thumb joints
- Stiffness and catching tend to be worse after inactivity such as when you wake up in the morning
- Discomfort in the knuckles at the palm and finger
- Soreness at the base of the finger or thumb
Treatment Options
- Splinting the finger so that it can rest and heal
- Limit activities that aggravate the finger
- Anti-inflammatory drugs or steroid injections to reduce the swelling
- Physical therapy may be an option if necessary
Learn more about trigger finger in our Patient Education Library.
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De Quervain’s Tendonitis
De Quervain’s tendonitis (“swelling of the tendons”) occurs when the tendons around the base of the thumb are irritated or constricted. Thickening of the tendons can cause pain and tenderness along the thumb side of the wrist, which is noticeable when forming a fist, grasping or gripping things, or when turning the wrist. People may also feel a catching or snapping sensation when moving the thumb. The pain and swelling may make movement difficult. Nerves may be irritated, causing numbness on the back of the thumb and index finger.
This condition may be caused by overuse and is sometimes seen with pregnancy or inflammatory arthritis.
Dr. Lazar diagnoses De Quervain’s by physical exam and offers non-surgical approaches and surgical procedures to treat it.
Learn more about De Quervain’s Tendonitisin our Patient Education Library.
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Dupuytren's Contracture
Dupuytren's contracture is a condition where the layer of connective tissue under the skin of the palm of the hand thickens and shrinks which can cause the fingers to bend in to the palms. The bent fingers are usually unable to be fully straightened and the ring finger and pinky finger are the fingers most commonly affected. The middle finger may be affected in advanced cases, but the index finger and the thumb are nearly always spared.
Dupuytren's contracture progresses slowly and is usually painless. This condition can make it difficult to perform certain functions using your hand. Since the thumb and index finger are not usually affected, many people do not experience much inconvenience or disability with fine motor activities such as writing.
There is no confirmed cause of Dupuytren's contracture, but it commonly runs in families. Other factors such as trauma due to manual labor, diabetes, alcoholism, epilepsy, and liver disease, may also contribute to this condition.
Symptoms may include:
- Thickening of the skin on the palm of your hand
- Your hand may appear puckered or dimpled.
- A firm lump of tissue may form on your palm. This lump may be sensitive to the touch but usually is not painful.
- In later stages of Dupuytren's contracture, cords of tissue form under the skin on your palm and may extend up to your fingers. As these cords tighten, your fingers may be pulled toward your palm, sometimes severely.
- Dupuytren's contracture can occur in both hands, though one hand is usually affected more severely than the other.
Learn more about Dupuytren's Contracture in our Patient Education Library.
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Wrist Pain and Movement Conditions
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Ganglion Cysts | Ulnar Nerve Entrapment | Hand Pain and Movement Conditions
Trigger Finger | De Quervain’s Tendonitis | Dupuytren's Contracture
Dr. Lazar is proud to offer Regeneration Therapy as a treatment option for his orthopedic patients in the Broward County, Plantation, Florida area. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment patients have responded well to Regenerative Injection Therapy using platelets and stem cells. Common wrist ailments treated by Dr. Lazar include carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglions, tendon and ligament injuries, and ulnar nerve entrapment.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is the passageway in the wrist, which is made up of eight bones in the wrist and ligaments. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common medical condition that occurs when the median nerve becomes pinched or compressed, due to swelling of the nerve or tendons or both. The median nerve provides sensation to the palm side of the thumb, index and middle fingers, and muscle power to the thumb. People with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually experience numbness, tingling, and weakness, in their fingers, wrist and arms.
Night symptoms and waking up at night are common characteristics of established carpal tunnel syndrome.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, and middle finger of one or both hands
- Numbness or tingling of the palm of the hand
- Pain extending to the elbow
- Pain in wrist or hand in one or both hands
- Problems with fine finger movements (coordination) in one or both hands
- Weak grip or difficulty carrying bags
- Weakness in one or both hands
Learn more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts are very common lumps within the hand and wrist that occur adjacent to joints or tendons. They can be found at different places on the wrist. Most of the time, they are harmless and will often disappear over time. These cysts are not cancerous and will not spread to other areas.
The most common locations of ganglions are on the top of the wrist, the palm side of the wrist, the base of the finger on the palm side, and the top of the end joint of the finger. The cause of these cysts is unknown although they may form in the presence of joint or tendon irritation or mechanical changes. They occur in patients of all ages and are more common in women than men.
A ganglion cyst contains a thick, clear, mucus-like fluid similar to the fluid found in the joint and resembles a water balloon on a stalk. Because the fluid-filled sac puts pressure on the nerves that pass through the joint, some ganglion cysts may be painful.
Treatment for a ganglion cyst does not usually require surgery. Because the ganglion is not cancerous and may disappear in time, waiting and watching to make sure that no changes occur is often recommended. Wearing a wrist brace or splint may sometimes be required to relieve painful symptoms. Immobilizing the wrist may also allow the ganglion to decrease in size.
If the ganglion causes significant pain or severely limits your activities, the doctor may choose to aspirate or drain the fluids. Aspiration is an office procedure in which the doctor numbs the wrist and punctures the cyst with a needle to remove the fluid. Part of the involved joint capsule or tendon sheath may also be removed. This is of little concern, but afterwards you may feel some tenderness, discomfort and swelling. You should be able to resume normal activities in two to six weeks.
Learn more about Ganglion Cysts in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
The ulnar nerve, one of the three main nerves in the arm, extends down the arm, across the elbow, and into the hand. When the nerve functions properly, it provides sensation to the pinky finger and half of the ring finger. It also controls most of the small muscles in the hand that help with fine motor movements, as well as some of the bigger muscles in the forearm that help to form a strong grip. You can actually feel this nerve as it passes behind the elbow and through a tight tunnel (the cubital tunnel) at the inside of the elbow.
When the nerve swells, usually due to an injury, it becomes trapped or compressed. The most common place where the nerve gets compressed is behind the elbow. Sometimes the compressed nerve is located at the wrist, beneath the collarbone, or as it comes out of the spinal cord in the neck. Although the problem usually originates in the elbow area, most symptoms occur in the hand and fingers because the ulnar nerve controls movement and sensation in this area.
Symptoms include:
- Tenderness along the inside of the elbow
- Tingling and numbness in little and ring fingers
- Numbness in your hand when the elbow is bent, such as when you drive or hold a telephone
- Difficulty with hand coordination
- Decreased strength in the hand; muscle weakness
- Pain along the inside border of the shoulder blade
Go back to the top
Hand Pain and Movement Conditions
Hand injuries treated in our practice include sprains, strains and injuries to the ligaments and tendons as well as ganglion cysts, trigger finger, De Quervain’s Tendonitis, Dupuytren’s contracture, and ulnar nerve entrapment, compression, or neuropathy
Go back to the top
Trigger Finger
A trigger finger occurs when the motion of the tendon that opens and closes the finger is limited, causing the finger to lock or catch as the finger is extended.
Tendons that control the movements of the fingers and thumb slide through a snug tunnel of tissue created by a series of pulleys that keeps the tendon in place. The tendon can become irritated as it slips through the tunnel. As it becomes more and more irritated, the tendon may thicken, making its passage through the tunnel more difficult. The tissues that hold the tendon in place may thicken, causing the opening of the tunnel to become smaller. As a result, the tendon becomes momentarily stuck at the mouth of the tunnel as the finger is extended. A pop may be felt as the tendon slips past the tight area. This why pain and catching may be felt as the finger is moved.
The cause is not always known. Trigger fingers are more common in women than men. They occur most frequently in people who are between the ages of 40 and 60 years of age. Trigger fingers are more common in people with certain medical problems, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms may include:
- The presence of a small lump, pain in the palm, and swelling
- A catching or popping sensation in the finger or thumb joints
- Stiffness and catching tend to be worse after inactivity such as when you wake up in the morning
- Discomfort in the knuckles at the palm and finger
- Soreness at the base of the finger or thumb
Treatment Options
- Splinting the finger so that it can rest and heal
- Limit activities that aggravate the finger
- Anti-inflammatory drugs or steroid injections to reduce the swelling
- Physical therapy may be an option if necessary
Learn more about trigger finger in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
De Quervain’s Tendonitis
De Quervain’s tendonitis (“swelling of the tendons”) occurs when the tendons around the base of the thumb are irritated or constricted. Thickening of the tendons can cause pain and tenderness along the thumb side of the wrist, which is noticeable when forming a fist, grasping or gripping things, or when turning the wrist. People may also feel a catching or snapping sensation when moving the thumb. The pain and swelling may make movement difficult. Nerves may be irritated, causing numbness on the back of the thumb and index finger.
This condition may be caused by overuse and is sometimes seen with pregnancy or inflammatory arthritis.
Dr. Lazar diagnoses De Quervain’s by physical exam and offers non-surgical approaches and surgical procedures to treat it.
Learn more about De Quervain’s Tendonitisin our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Dupuytren's Contracture
Dupuytren's contracture is a condition where the layer of connective tissue under the skin of the palm of the hand thickens and shrinks which can cause the fingers to bend in to the palms. The bent fingers are usually unable to be fully straightened and the ring finger and pinky finger are the fingers most commonly affected. The middle finger may be affected in advanced cases, but the index finger and the thumb are nearly always spared.
Dupuytren's contracture progresses slowly and is usually painless. This condition can make it difficult to perform certain functions using your hand. Since the thumb and index finger are not usually affected, many people do not experience much inconvenience or disability with fine motor activities such as writing.
There is no confirmed cause of Dupuytren's contracture, but it commonly runs in families. Other factors such as trauma due to manual labor, diabetes, alcoholism, epilepsy, and liver disease, may also contribute to this condition.
Symptoms may include:
- Thickening of the skin on the palm of your hand
- Your hand may appear puckered or dimpled.
- A firm lump of tissue may form on your palm. This lump may be sensitive to the touch but usually is not painful.
- In later stages of Dupuytren's contracture, cords of tissue form under the skin on your palm and may extend up to your fingers. As these cords tighten, your fingers may be pulled toward your palm, sometimes severely.
- Dupuytren's contracture can occur in both hands, though one hand is usually affected more severely than the other.
Learn more about Dupuytren's Contracture in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
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