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"The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well."

–Hippocrates

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Category Archives: Hand & Wrist

What is your motivation to get well?

A chronic injury to your hand can be overwhelming. The immediate pain and disability with the acute injury can be explained, but what if it is ongoing. This is a difficult problem to treat, and even harder to live with. Chronic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS, RSI, reflex sympathetic dystrophy are all different names for the same problem. There are multiple causes and risk factors for developing chronic pain, and we are becoming better at identifying these early. The adage ... Read More

Sun safety for your hands

With the ongoing hot weather this summer, we should all be staying safe in the sun. The SunSmart message of slip, slop, slap, seek and slide protects us from skin cancer but what about those moments where you don't think you could get burnt. Such as a long drive in the sun travelling home after holidays. Or the hours fishing from your tinnie. Your hands receive just as much exposure to UVA and UVB rays during these activities and can become sunburnt quite quickly. It may not be fashionable ... Read More
January 4, 2019 By Jai Sungaran in , ,

What type of anaesthetic should I have for my hand surgery?

Anaesthesia was a major advancement for surgery as it conquered the fear of pain during procedures. General anaesthesia was first used successfully in 1846 and has come a long way since. It is a safe and reliable option for many operations. However, there are multiple different options for anaesthesia during surgery including local anaesthesia, regional blocks and conscious sedation. Currently there is even a push in some centres for WALANT or Wide Awake Local Anaesthesia with No Tourniquet ... Read More

What is De Quervain’s tendinitis?

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a painful condition of the thumb and wrist due to inflammation of two tendons. It seems to be more common in women than men, and there are multiple causes. Pregnant women and new mothers are a high risk group probably because of the generalised increased swelling, but also due to poor posture. This is especially noticeable when carrying the newborn, or positioning for feeding. Wrist and thumb flexion together with ulnar deviation (moving the wrist towards ... Read More
September 19, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in

I think I’ve just “jammed” my finger…

Finger injuries are common in sport, especially ball sports. One pattern of injury is the direct blow to the tip of the finger by a ball. As the joint is hyperextended the force goes through the volar plate. This is a thick ligament that prevents further hyperextension at the PIP joint (proximal interphalangeal joint). It is also common for a part of the bone to be torn off by the volar plate. This is called an avulsion fracture. Often these injuries can be managed with a custom made ... Read More
August 14, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in , , , ,

Are there any natural medicines that can help arthritis pain?

Recently there has been more discussion about the use of natural therapy for managing painful arthritis. Most patients would rather avoid an operation if at all possible, so it is important to try all non surgical options to manage arthritis pain and loss of function. Medical management begins with drugs that have the least side effects, so what better way than to consider natural therapies first. Here are some herbal remedies that have been studied for their efficacy in managing arthritis ... Read More
July 18, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in , ,

What is that lump on my hand?

Finding a lump on your hand can be distressing for obvious reasons. If there is no real injury to the area then it is difficult to understand why the lump could occur. Fortunately the hand is a relatively uncommon area to develop a cancerous lump. The majority of lumps in the hand are benign and can be easily removed. Ganglion cysts are the most common benign lump to find in the hand and wrist. They typically develop around joints or tendons and are filled with a jelly-like fluid. They can ... Read More

Why are my fingers so stiff?

Diabetes is a systemic condition with multiple areas involved. These can range from eye, kidney and circulation problems, as well as nerve issues. The "diabetic foot" has always been a concern for patients and their doctors, but the diabetic hand has not gained enough recognition as yet. The diabetic hand includes diabetic-related conditions like (LJM) or limited joint mobility, but also non diabetic conditions like trigger finger, carpal tunnel compression and Dupuytren's contracture. LJM ... Read More
May 16, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in , ,

When is the right time to have carpal tunnel surgery?

This is a common question I hear from my patients. Surgery is a daunting prospect for anyone, and taking that first step by consulting with a Surgeon can be quite difficult. It may feel like you don't have any other option but to have an operation, but this may not necessarily be the case. Some patients may be better managed with splints, Hand therapy or even targeted cortisone injections. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a result of compression of the main nerve to the hand (median nerve) that ... Read More
April 17, 2018 By Jai Sungaran in , , , ,

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