Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is the Carpal Tunnel? The transverse carpal ligament (transverse light purple structure) covers the carpal tunnel. The Median Nerve (yellow) can become compressed underneath the… more

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Does Your Small Finger Go Numb? Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve problem. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is the second most common nerve problem. What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome? Cubital tunnel syndrome is very similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. Cubital tunnel syndr… more

Pronator Syndrome

Pronator syndrome is compression of the median nerve about the elbow and/or upper forearm. Pronator Syndrome leads to symptoms similar to those of carpal tunnel syndrome, as the s… more

Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome

The Transverse Carpal Ligament (transverse white structure) is the roof of the carpal tunnel and the floor of the ulnar tunnel (arrow). The Ulnar Nerve in the Ulnar Tunnel … more

Trigger Finger / Trigger Thumb

Trigger FingerThe Tendons (Blue) go through a Tight Sheath (Purple)The Tendon Gets Stuck in its Sheath, Causing Trigger Finger… more

Retinacular Cysts

Tender masses that appear in the palm by the base of a finger are usually retinacular cysts. Retinacular cysts are simply ganglion cysts that come from the flexor tendon sheath of the finger. Retinacular cysts often lead to pain when gripping objects. Fortunately, they are benign and easily treat… more

Mucous Cysts

Mucous Cyst Mucous Cysts are a very common cause of finger masses over the small finger joint closest to the tip. (Figure 3) Mucous cysts are a type of ganglion cyst that usually arises because of an underlying arthritis of tha… more

Dupytren’s Contracture

The Fascia of the Palm Dupytren’s contracture is a genetic disorder in which the fascia of the hand contracts so that the fingers no longer fully extend. What is fascia? When you order a piece of meat, the tough gristle aroun… more

Flexor Tendon Lacerations

Flexor tendon injuries can be devastating, life-changing events. The flexor tendons are the structures in the palm of the hand and the palmar side of the finger that flex or bend the fingers and thumb. Tendons are like ropes that connect the muscles to the finger bones. If a flexor tendon gets cu… more

Extensor Tendon Lacerations

The Extensor Tendons The extensor tendons are the structures on the back of your hand that extend the fingers (Figure 10). The tendons are like ropes that connect the muscles to the finger bones. The extensor tendons are ofte… more

Mallet Finger

Mallet Finger refers to an injury that causes the tip of the finger to droop, or ‘lag’. Mallet Finger is a very common injury that occurs when the extensor tendon on the back of the finger tears off the small distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint near the finger tip. Mallet Fingers can occur with… more

EPL Tendon Rupture

The EPL (extensor pollicis longus) tendon is the structure that extends the thumb and keeps it from falling into the palm. 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 can rub across a bone spu… more

Extensor Tendon Subluxation

Extensor Tendon Subluxation / Boxer’s Knuckle Subluxation or snapping of an extensor tendon on the back of the hand can occur for different reasons. It’s often due to a trauma, such as punching a hard object. That’s why some refer to this injury as ‘Boxer’s Knuckle’. It can … more

Skier’s Thumb

Joint Ligament Box (V.P. = Volar Plate Ligament)Joint LigamentsSkier’s Thumb -The UCL has torn off and flipped away from its attachment (arrow)…. more

MP Joint & PIP Joint Arthroscopy

Infolded Partial Ligament Tear being removed from MP JointCleaned Out MP Joint… more

Hand Fractures

The Bones of the Hand and Wrist Distal Phalangeal Fracture Proximal Phalangeal Fractures Plated… more

PIP Joint Injuries

PIP Joint DislocationPIP Joint Fracture-SubluxationPIP Joint Fracture-Subluxation… more

The Stiff Finger

Contracted PIP Joint The Digit Widget Straightened PIP Joint PIP Joint Flexion remains intact… more

Finger Nail Injuries

The Nail Injuries to the finger nail are fairly common. (Figure 36) While these often lead to some degree of nail deformity or change in the nail’s appearance, good treatment can often minimize the degree of damage. If th… more

Basilar (Basal) Thumb Arthritis

LRTI: The trapezium bone has been removed, a tendon placed into the space, and a suture-anchor (metal) inserted into the thumb to stabilize it. LRTI (Close-up) The base of t… more

Basilar Thumb Pain in Young Individuals

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 the ‘Basilar Thumb Arthritis’ section of this website. While the LRTI is extremely effective, it may be more surgery than a … more

Swan-Neck Deformity of the Thumb

Swan-Neck deformity of the thumb occurs when the thumb’s metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint, the joint where the thumb attaches to the hand, hyperextends too much. The ligament that usually prevents this is called the ‘volar plate’. Some people are born with loose joints, also known as being ‘… more

Finger Arthritis

The fingers can be affected by osteoarthritis (‘wear and tear’ arthritis), rheumatoid (inflammatory) arthritis, or arthritis that occurs because of joint injury (post-traumatic arthritis). Any of the three finger joints can be affected. The distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint is the smallest jo… more

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease (i.e. it affects multiple systems of the body). The primary treatment for RA is medical, and there are many new excellent drugs that can decrease pain and greatly slow the progression of RA. Surgery is used mainly to prevent and correct deformities, … more

Tetraplegic (Quadriplegic) Reconstruction

Spinal cord injury resulting in tetraplegia is a devastating, life-changing injury. Life becomes a battle for independence when even the smallest activity of daily living becomes a challenge. The human mind and the human hand are wonderfully adaptable. Many determined tetraplegics can accomplish… more

Hand Pain

Hand Pain is very common. There are many things that can cause hand pain. By far, the person most qualified to diagnose and treat the source of hand pain is a Hand Surgeon. Hand surgeons have specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of common and uncommon hand conditions. Hand Surgeon… more

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