Category Archives: Arthritis

  • 18
    Mar 16
  • 0

Dealing With Hand Cramps At Work

Despite the fact that nearly all of us have dealt with hand cramps at some point in our lives, most don’t understand the causes of these cramps and, therefore, are lacking the understanding of how to prevent this common pain.

What Are Cramps — Why Do They Happen

Involuntary muscle contractions in the hands are called spasms. When these spasms continue for a prolonged period of time, cramps ensue. So, in a nutshell, your hand cramps are the result of repeated muscle spasms. The causes of these spasms can include poor blood supply, arthritis, nerve compression, and mineral deficiency (among others). When it comes to hand cramps at work, overuse is the most common cause. The repetitive motions we make as we type and work can cause the muscles and nerve to become overused and spasm until we feel cramping. A New Jersey Hand and Wrist specialist can accurately diagnose the cause if your cramps are severe and persistent. Call today to request an appointment if you believe an injury or arthritis might be to blame. Otherwise, read on to learn how to prevent this painful cramping.

Preventing Hand Cramps At Work

There are a few techniques workers can use to reduce the likelihood of cramping at work. These include the following.

Revising Your Typing Technique: Using the proper technique for typing will reduce the stress on your hands, wrists, and fingers. This reduction of stress will reduce the likelihood of cramps.

Stay Hydrated: Staying hydrated is key to the proper functioning of your muscles and tendons. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of cramping. Opt for water instead of sugary sodas or coffee.

Take Regular Breaks: If possible, take regular breaks. Whether this means taking a walk to discuss plans with a coworker or walking around the block for lunch, this break will give your hands a rest and prevent overuse injuries, including cramping.

Embrace The Warmth: Once a cramp hits, prevent it from getting worse by applying a warm compress to the painful area. The heat will relax the muscles and stop the spasms.

Contacting a NJ Hand And Wrist Specialist

If your hand pain is severe and isn’t responding to medication or massage techniques, a more serious injury may have occurred and might require a tendon or ligament repair. Call us at New Jersey Hand and Wrist to consult with a specialist to get the treatment you need.

  • 20
    Feb 16
  • 0

Artificial Joint Replacement In Fingers: What To Expect

Tags : 

Joint arthroplasty, or artificial joint replacement of the finger, is often used to ease the pain of arthritis in the fingers when all non-surgical options have failed to provide relief. Joint replacement surgery is the process of replacing your finger’s joint surfaces in order to ease the stiffness, pain, and immobility that arises in arthritic patients. When performed by an orthopedic surgeon with experience in non-invasive joint replacement surgery, the recovery time is minimal, and the results can be phenomenal. Here we provide a brief overview of the procedure, explain when the procedure is recommended, and offer some insight on what to expect during the procedure and recovery.

 

When To Request An Appointment For Joint Replacement Surgery35489272_l

 

Joint replacement surgery is best suited for older, mildly active patients suffering from arthritic pain that has not responded to non-surgical options. Joint replacement surgery is designed to give these patients relief from the day-to-day pain of the condition, increased range of motion for daily tasks, and improved overall hand function. If you’ve exhausted all non-surgical options and are still suffering from pain and stiffness in your fingers, contact an orthopedic surgeon to discuss joint replacement.

 

How To Prepare For The Procedure

 

Once joint replacement surgery has been decided upon as the best course of action for you, here is how you should prepare. Most finger surgeries can be done on an outpatient basis. You will arrive early in the morning, having been instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight. Once you arrive, you will be prepared for surgery. The surgery itself doesn’t take long, and you will be wheeled to a recovery room following the procedure. You will remain there until you have recovered from the effects of anesthesia. Once you are well enough to go home, you will be sent home with discharge instructions.

 

Recovering From Joint Replacement Surgery

 

Recovery from joint replacement surgery can take up to three months. A physical and an occupational therapist will work closely with you to assist in the rehabilitation of your fingers. You will be provided with physical therapy techniques designed to improve mobility and strength in your newly replaced joints. You will also be given some techniques for accomplishing daily tasks without placing too much stress on your fingers. As with any surgery, minimal use is suggested for a few weeks. You and your physical therapist will work together to aid in optimal recovery.

 

Contacting An Orthopedic Surgeon

 

If living with the pain associated with arthritic fingers has become too much, contact our orthopedic surgeons today to speak with an experienced joint surgeon. Recovery starts with a call for a consultation. Call NJ Hand and Wrist today!

  • 03
    Nov 15
  • 0

Got Arthritis? Here’s How to Make It Through Thanksgiving Cooking

Tags : 

 

“The preparation of good food is merely another expression of art, one of the joys of civilized living.” – Dione Lucas, English chef and first woman to graduate Le Cordon Bleu.

 

40235542_l (1)

If you’re suffering from arthritis, it can be hard to get back to the joy of cooking. The stress placed on your joints by the stirring, pouring, slicing, etc. of food preparation can become a source of serious pain and inflammation, fast. Avoid putting undue pressure on your hands and wrists this season with these tips.

 

 

Lighten Up

Limit the amount of weight you’ll need to lift. See if there are lighter versions of your cookware out there, especially if you haven’t replaced yours for a while. The extra pounds of pressure from cast iron skillets, glass bowls, weighty ceramics etc. can really add up. Swap them for updated versions in lightweight materials like silicone, aluminum, wood and the like. For special, cooking intensive occasions, you may even want to stock up on disposable plates and utensils. If that makes you feel guilty, don’t worry–there are compostable versions of these items now.

Another place to shave off unnecessary weight is grocery shopping. Try to shop small. Buying in bulk may be good for your budget, but probably isn’t worth the savings if lugging an oversized pack of supplies inside is going to cause a flare-up.

 

 

Buy Pre-Cut

It’s easier than ever to buy fresh, pre-cut veggies, organic and otherwise. Doing so will save you time, and save your hands and wrists from the kinds of repetitive motion than can be particularly damaging. You may also want to consider a cutter or peeler as a backup to have around the house–they’re a lot easier and faster to use.

 

Get A Grip

Many OA and RA sufferers struggle with gripping and grasping. Make things easier with rubber grips in a variety of sizes. Just look at how cute these are! You can use them to open jars, carry smooth-sides and slippery dishes, and more.

 

Reinvent The Wheel

Repurpose a wheeled cart or shelf to be your kitchen helper. You can use it to easily transport liquids and other heavy stuff to and from the stove and sink, bring food to the table, and more.

 

Break it Up

Plan ahead of big meals, and try to parcel out prep work. That way, you won’t be putting so much pressure on your hands and wrists all at once.

 

Enlist Helpers

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Lots of people enjoy cooking and baking. Plus, it can be really good for kids–research suggests that kids who cook are more likely to want to eat healthier meals.

 

 

See A Specialist

 

A hand and wrist specialist can help you better manager your symptoms with assistive devices, medication, physical therapy, and other treatments. If you’re in the Freehold, NJ area, we’d be happy to help–even if it’s just to get a little extra care to prep for holiday cooking. You can request an appointment here.

  • 23
    Oct 15
  • 0

Arthritis in The Hands

Tags : 

One of the most common conditions our NJ hand and wrist specialists see is arthritis. Arthritis is actually an umbrella term for inflammation of the joints, including those in the hands, wrists, and fingers. There are many different kinds of arthritis and lots of them are common in the upper extremities. The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

 

3454157_l

 

Osteoarthritis (OA)

OA is by far the most common variety of arthritis. More than 20 million American’s suffer from OA, and it’s estimated that this number will continue to grow. OA is caused by the degeneration of cartilage in joints. Often, this degeneration is associated with aging, but it can also be caused by trauma and overuse of joints, and can be more likely for those with certain genetic risk factors. Symptoms include:

  • Stiffness in joints
  • Loss of range of motion
  • Painful joints
  • Swollen joints
  • Crepitus (a grinding sensation or sound when using joints)
  • In some cases, cysts of mucus can form towards the ends of the fingers.

OA tends to occur in certain joints more than others. In the upper extremities, some of these “hot spots” include the base of the thumb, the finger joints nearest your nails, and the joint in the middle of the finger.

 

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is an autoimmune disease. RA sufferers’ immune systems attack their joints. It’s less common than Osteoarthritis. RA has no single known cause, though studies have suggested it may be linked to certain infections or genes. Symptoms include:

  • Pain in the hands and/or fingers
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Joints may feel warm
  • Symmetrical affliction (i.e. symptoms in both wrists, though it can occur in just one)
  • Numbness or tingling sensations
  • Flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue

A final fun factoid? RA seems to be linked with hormones. Women with RA who become pregnant may experience improvements in their condition, though sadly, these usually don’t last post-pregnancy.

 

 

Concerned you may be developing arthritis of any variety in your hands or wrists? Request an appointment with our specialists.

  • 23
    Jul 15
  • -

CMC (Basal) Joint Arthritis

Tags : 

42139729_xxl (1)

Pain in your hand can be debilitating but pain when you try to pinch or grip something tightly or even try holding something as simple as a pen, can be a sign of Degenerative Joint Disease or Osteoarthritis. As the most common arthritis site in the hand, the Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is made up two bones that join at the base of the thumb.  When the cartilage in this joint wears out, the bones grind against each other causing you pain and joint instability.

Thumb arthritis can cause severe pain and make completing the simplest task highly painful. Treatment can range from conservative therapies to surgical based upon the severity of your arthritis so it is important to see a physician immediately if you are having chronic CMC joint pain or swelling. Our hand specialists at the New Jersey Hand and Wrist Institute, a subset of Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, are dedicated to finding the best treatment options for your pain.

When seeing our physician and after a physical exam, you may need to have an x-ray done to reveal signs of worn-down cartilage, bone spurs, loss of joint space or other causes for your hand pain. Non-surgical or conservative treatment options that may be considered to treat your CMC joint arthritis are:

  • Splinting the thumb and wrist
  • Medication, over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers
  • Corticosteroid injections into the joint

Surgery is sometimes necessary to correct issues in your CMC joint, especially if you are barely able to bend or twist your thumb. Below are several common CMC joint surgeries that may be recommended for you.

  • Joint Fusion (arthrodesis): used to increase your ability to bear weight without pain.
  • Osteotomy: this surgery repositions your bones to correct any deformities
  • Trapeziectomy: the trapezium bone, one of the two bones in your CMC joint is removed
  • Joint Replacement (arthroplasty): using a graft from your tendon, all or part of the damaged joint is removed and replaced with the tendon graft.

If you are struggling with pain or reduced mobility, please contact the specialist at the New Jersey Hand and Wrist Institute today to schedule your appointment and get back to your hands-on life – 732-720-2555.

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives

Playing the piano, writing a memoir, painting a landscape, cooking that perfect souffle — a full life is hands-on. Our team knows that you don’t need to be a surgeon for your hands to be invaluable. That’s why they’ve devoted their professional careers to treating conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities, including wrists and elbows. If you are struggling with pain or reduced mobility, please contact us today to request an appointment.

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT
Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute

New Jersey Hand & Wrist

is a subsidiary of Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute of New Jersey.

Pond View Professional Park
301 Professional View Drive Building 300
Freehold, NJ 07728

Menu

doctor treating hand pain

Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved.