According to National Institutes of Health 28.6% of all injuries, were to the hand or wrist. 34 % of the accidents were domestic, 35 % were recreational, 26 % were workplace, and 5 % were traffic-related.
Make NOVA Ortho & Spine your Orthopedic Specialist for Hand and Wrist Care
Because we use our hands for everything, an injury to the hand or wrist might sadly prevent you from doing even the most fundamental activities like biking and golf.
Our orthopedic surgeons recognize the sense of powerlessness that comes with a broken hand or wounded wrist. It can be quite irritating to be unable to engage in the activities you enjoy or complete even the simplest tasks because of hand or wrist pain. Because of this, our orthopedic hand and wrist surgeons take the time to give you the best care possible that is tailored to your needs and your particular ailment.
Tear in Extensor Tendon
Tendons attach muscles to bones to aid with movement. Extensor tendons help joints bend, whereas flexor tendons straighten them. When an extensor tendon tears in the hand, the injured finger(s) or wrist cannot be fully straightened.
Common Extension Tendon Tear
Tendons, which join muscles to bones, are powerful, substantial bands of fibrous tissue. When a muscle contracts, the tendons that are connected pull on the nearby bone to move it.
The forearm contains the tendon that extends into the wrist and connects to the fingers to move the hand’s bones. Whereas flexor tendons are found on the palm side of the hand, these extensor tendons are positioned on the top or rear of the hand.
There are extensor tendons throughout your body. Extensor tendons in the elbow can get injured, leading to tennis or golfer’s elbow.
Damage to the extender tendon
At Nova Ortho & Spine our Orthopedic physicians distinguish between open and closed ruptures of extensor tendon injuries. Avulsions, which occur when a piece of a bone separates from the remainder, and severe incisions are examples of open wounds. Closed ruptures are often brought on by overuse or a comorbid illness, such as rheumatoid arthritis, which weakens tendons and increases the risk of spontaneous rupture.
Extensor tendons are likely to be harmed by a deep incision to the back of the hand since they are located relatively near to the skin’s surface. These flexible bands are pulled back toward their connecting point as the tendon splits into two halves. Surgery is necessary since the tendon cannot span this distance and recover on its own.
Extensor tendons can, however, occasionally only be partially torn or severed. In a partial tear, you might still be able to extend your finger partially but not fully. Surgery may or may not be required for partial extensor tendon injuries.
Extensor Tendon Tear Symptoms
The following are the most typical signs of an extensor tendon tear in the hand:
- Your hand’s top has been cut.
- being unable to extend your wrist, extend your fingers, or open your hand
- Your finger’s end joint is drooping.
- Being “trapped” with the hand or wrist in an unusual position
- Bruising, soreness, or swelling
Depending on where the rip is and how severe it is, this kind of damage might be difficult to diagnose. Your orthopedic experts will examine you physically and run a few tests on the use of your hands. To check for any fractures in the area, they occasionally take an X-ray. To determine how much of a tear there is, they could also utilize an MRI.
Surgical Treatment for Extensor Tendon Tears
Surgery is frequently necessary for extensor tendon tears. The tendon will be sewn back together by your orthopedic surgeons, who may also decide to secure the procedure with a pin.
Following surgery, patients usually need to wear a non-removable plaster cast or splint for at least 1 to 2 weeks. To prevent excessive pressure on the tendon while it heals, this splint extends the fingers and wrist.
You will start hand therapy exercises, which are crucial for restoring the hand’s functionality, after your hand specialist permits switching to a detachable plastic splint. For several months, many patients undergo physical treatment for their hand and wrist several times a week.
Extensor Tendon Tear Hand Treatment
When your hand is healing, use it with caution. Wear your splint and perform the exercises advised by your orthopedic surgeon to help achieve the greatest healing outcome. Some individuals discover that the damaged finger or fingers never fully recover total straightening or that the affected digit moves more slowly than the others.
WRIST
The wrist, which is in charge of bending, rotating, and flexing your hand, performs vital functions that, when compromised, can lower your quality of life. Our skilled orthopaedic surgeons, provide a wide range of cutting-edge treatment options for common and advanced wrist disorders that can result in stiffness, pain, or debilitation at NOVA Ortho & Spine.
Scaphoid Fracture
The scaphoid, one of several bones that make up the wrist, is situated at the base of the thumb. But injuries can also happen in other ways. Usually, this bone breaks as a result of stopping a fall by stretching out the hands so that the impact is delivered onto the palms. An X-ray can determine whether you have a scaphoid fracture if you suspect you do because of the pain, edema, and decreased movement in the afflicted area. The majority of the time, non-surgical care, such as a cast and physical therapy, is sufficient to manage this injury. On general, fractures that occur closer to the thumb bone heal more quickly than those that occur closer to the forearm. In the event of a severe or complicated fracture (where the bone pushes through the skin), surgery may be required.
Distal Radius Fracture
At the base of the thumb is the scaphoid, one of several bones that make up the wrist. But there are other ways that injuries can occur. This bone typically breaks when someone tries to halt falling by spreading their hands out and directing the force of the fall onto their palms. If you experience discomfort, swelling, and restricted movement in the injured area, an X-ray can help you establish whether you have a scaphoid fracture. A cast and physical therapy are typically enough non-surgical treatment to handle this condition. Fractures that happen closer to the thumb bone heal generally faster than those that happen closer to the forearm. Surgery can be necessary in the event of a serious or complicated fracture (where the bone pushes through the skin).
De Quervain Tendinitis
De Quervain’s Tendinitis, also known as tendinosis (swelling), occurs when the tendons near the base of the thumb become inflamed and swollen, restricting their ability to slide smoothly through the tendon sheaths that hold them in alignment. It is typically brought on by overuse but is also linked to pregnancy. This illness, which is most prevalent in middle-aged women, can impair the function of the thumb and wrist and produce pain and swelling in the wrist and forearm. Fortunately, there are a number of minimally invasive alternatives available, such as rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, splints, and rest. In the event that non-surgical treatment is ineffective at resolving your problems, an endoscopic procedure may help to enhance function and lessen pain.
Gingival Cysts
The most frequent sort of bump that can appear on the hand is a ganglion cyst, which is typically completely painless and is filled with a fluid that coats your joints similarly to a mucus cyst. These lumps, which are typically located on the back of the wrist but may sometimes occur in other places, may appear and fade fast or alter in size, although they are frequently treatable without causing concern. Being immobile will frequently aid in the lump’s removal because exercise seems to encourage further growth.
Kienbock Disease
To survive, your bones require blood. When the blood supply is cut off, tissue starts to deteriorate and die. A disruption in the blood flow to the lunate, one of the tiny bones of the wrist, which can happen as a result of trauma, anatomical flaw, or gradual wear and tear, results in Kienbock’s disease. The symptoms, which resemble those of a wrist sprain in terms of sensation, include swelling, soreness, stiffness, weakened grip, and eventually, arthritis. Restoring blood flow can be done surgically or non-surgically, and there are numerous techniques that can help you keep your range of motion. Since Keinbock’s condition progresses, it must be treated right away.
A wrist arthroscopy and TFCC tears
A fall or other traumatic event can harm the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex, or TFCC, which is a cushioning structure made up of multiple ligaments on the outside edge (little pinky side) of the wrist. It can also deteriorate over time. The TFCC can tear, resulting in pain akin to a sprain and possibly reduced function. Movement-related clicking noises could also be heard. Non-surgical therapy options are available to address partial rips. The use of arthroscopic procedures, which involve a number of tiny incisions, can assist pinpoint the troublesome location and repair the damaged ligaments with a lower risk of problems and a quicker recovery period than standard open surgery, if surgery is required.
Injury to the Scapholunate Ligament
The scapholunate ligament aids in stabilizing the wrist during movement since it joins the scaphoid and lunate wrist bones. Common signs of this tissue being torn, whether completely or partially, include pain, stiffness, edema, and discomfort. If the condition is modest, rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and other less invasive methods may be all that is required to address it. Surgical intervention can be required if the ligament has entirely ripped.
Wrist injuries come in a wide variety of forms, and there are numerous treatments available. If you have any more queries concerning wrist disorders and their treatments, or if you want to arrange an appointment contact NOVA Ortho & Spine.