The Centre for Working Hands

EVADO™ LLLT Reduces Chronic Pain and Inflammation

2011-10-14T12:25:00.001-04:00

If you suffer from chronic pain or inflammation in your joints, you have likely tried everything to get relief, probably with little success. Now, though, relief from your chronic pain may be as simple as turning on a light. Or three.

EVADO™ is a new form of phototherapy for joint and neurologic problems that has been clinically proven to reduce the incidence of pain and inflammation in your joints. By combining the power and efficiency of three LEDs, each emitting light at a specific, targeted wavelength, EVADO™ is able to treat a broad spectrum of disorders, injuries, and natural consequences of aging.

EVADO™ is capable of this tremendous range of treatment because it focuses on a central mechanism of the body: its ability to heal itself. This helps to reduce the inflammation and chronic pain that come with repetitive strain (including carpal tunnel), arthritis, and neuropathy.

EVADO™ is so effective at stimulating healing; we also use it to assist in fracture healing and any type of surgical recovery. Using EVADO™ can decrease your recovery time and your postsurgical discomfort. It can also reduce the amount of scar formation, which can increase your final mobility, not to mention the appearance of the surgery site. We also use the Dynatron XP™, a similar tool that has a focusing lens that increases concentration on small surgical sites, such as the fingers or joints, and dense scars.

To learn more about the clinical benefits of EVADO and Dynatron XP™, please schedule a consultation at The Centre for Working Hands in Elkhart or Mishawaka.

Types of Congenital Hand Abnormalities

2011-09-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

Congenital hand abnormalities can be emotionally difficult for parents and functionally challenging for children. Ideally, early surgery for congenital hand abnormalities can help children to acquire normal function of their hands at an early age so that other aspects of their development are not affected. Congenital hand abnormalities are typically divided into several categories.

• Failure of Formation is when parts of the hand fail to develop. In the most extreme case, this means the hand may completely fail to form. In less extreme cases, it may be missing fingers, either on one or both hands, or in cleft hand.
• Failure of Differentiation is when tissues fail to divide. The most common form is syndactyly, when two fingers are connected by soft tissue, but sometimes it may include fused bones as well.
• Duplication can affect the limb, hand (mirror hand), or finger (polydactyly).
• Overgrowth may affect parts of the hand, such as in macrodactyly(enlarged fingers) or as part of hemihypertrophy (where one half of the body is larger than the other).
• Undergrowth may impact all or part of the hand, including radial hypoplasia in which the radius is unformed or underformed, brachysyndactyly in which fingers are short and webbed, and brachydactyly in which fingers are short.
• Constriction Band Syndrome is when fibrous bands of the amniotic sac become entangled around the limb or fingers of a fetus, resulting in severe constrictions and deformation.

Most of these congenital hand abnormalities can be corrected with hand surgery, resulting in a normal appearance and function for your child.

To learn more about correction of congenital hand abnormalities, please schedule a consultation with The Centre for Working Hands at either our Elkhart or Mishawaka office.

What Is the Graston Technique®?

2011-08-03T18:37:00.000-04:00

If you are suffering from chronic or acute joint disorders on your arms or hands, you have probably considered a number of treatment options. If you have not tried the Graston Technique®, you may be missing one of the most effective treatments available for your condition. When used on conditions such as these, the Graston Technique has a high success rate, from 70-90%. Though the Graston Technique is non-surgical and involves no drugs, it is often used in combination with other therapies to give you the best possible results.

So what is the Graston Technique? The Graston Technique is aimed at breaking down scar tissue to mobilize soft tissue and improve joint function. Using special massage techniques, the goal is to break up dense, constricting scar tissue and increase the blood flow and healing response in the massaged area. The result is increased mobility and reduced pain. You don't have to take time off work, and through treatment you will likely increase your productivity and reduce your dependence on splints and braces. You may be able to get off limited duty and return to your previous full work status.

At The Centre for Working Hands, we have personally helped people achieve better recovery from acute and chronic hand injuries using the Graston Technique. We have treated people for:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Rotator cuff tendonitis
• Trigger finger
• Plantar fasciitis

If you suffer from any of these conditions or many others, don't resign yourself to your current condition, please contact The Centre for Working Hands today to schedule an evaluation at our Elkhart or Mishawaka office today.

Tips for a Safe 4th of July

2011-07-01T10:50:00.000-04:00

Many of us enjoy celebrating Independence Day with fireworks we purchase and set off at home, but this can also be very dangerous. In June and July, an estimated 6,000 people will show up at the emergency room. About a quarter of these injuries are to the fingers and hands, most often burns, but also lacerations and even lost fingers or limbs. As many as ten people may die this year from fireworks-related injuries.

Here are some tips to help you avoid having to make a trip to your local emergency room while enjoying fireworks this holiday:

Never use illegal or homemade fireworks. Homemade fireworks are the most likely to result in injuries and death.
Do not let young children play with or ignite fireworks.
Remember that sparklers are dangerous: they burn at about 2,000 degrees and can cause serious burns even after they have gone out.
Never drink and light fireworks. Have a "designated lighter."
Never try to re-light or pick up dud or partially ignited fireworks.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
Never set off fireworks in a metal or glass container.
Douse fireworks with water before disposing of in a trash can.

And remember to check on local laws about fireworks in your area to be sure that the kind you are purchasing are legal to own and use.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious hand injury as a result of fireworks, the Centre for Working Hands can help you complete your recovery. To talk to us about hand surgery or rehabilitation, please contact our Elkhart or Mishawaka office today.

Advantages of Early Hand Surgery

2011-06-23T13:21:00.000-04:00

If your child was born with a congenital hand deformity, you may want to consider surgery sooner rather than later. The most common congenital hand defects are syndactyly and polydactyly. In syndactyly, two or more fingers are fused together. Sometimes the fingers are joined simply by the skin, and other times the bones themselves are fused.

In polydactyly, a child is born with an extra finger or fingers. Treatment involves not only removing the extra fingers, but also balancing the action of the tendons and muscles.

In all cases, the goal of surgery for congenital hand deformities is to make help your child have the best hand function possible. Early reconstructive surgery helps with this. By age four or five, a child is learning pre-academic skills that include grasping a pen, pencil, or crayon to ensure maximum control and mobility. A child's ability to learn and retain this skill depends on having the same physical structure prior to and after learning this skill. Thus, if a child is to undergo surgery for polydactyly or syndactyly, it is best performed prior to this crucial time.

If your child was born with a congenital hand deformity and you want to learn more about your surgical options, please schedule a consultation at The Centre for Working Hands today.

Prevent Hand Injuries this Summer

2011-05-19T15:53:00.000-04:00

In the summertime the weather is warm and we all love to get outside to work in the yard. What better way to put the troubles of the workday world behind and experience the timeless beauties of nature than to work your own plot of land, no matter how big or how small.

Unfortunately, it's also easy to suffer hand injuries when working in the yard. Here are a few tips to help you avoid potentially serious injuries when working outside this summer:

Warm-ups and breaks: If the hardest work you typically do all winter is lifting a cup of coffee, getting out in the yard to do some landscaping can put a serious strain on you. Even something as seemingly minor as pulling weeds in your flower bed can actually put a surprising amount of strain on your hands and wrist. You can reduce your risk for strains by properly warming up before working and remembering to take a break every hour or so to help prevent repetitive motion injuries.

Task-appropriate gloves: Whether you're digging in the garden, cutting back a rose bush, or putting in a fence, there are many opportunities for injuries when working in the yard. Sturdy, well-fitted gloves give your hands an extra layer of protection for that surprising moment when they need it.

Invest in quality tools: "Let the tool do the work" is the mantra of every professional, from carpenters to plumbers. Getting the right tool for the right job can save you a tremendous amount of work and potential injury. Remember to use a tool only for its intended purpose. Trying to use a tool for a job it isn’t designed for can lead to excessive strain and other injuries.

Read the instructions before using a tool: Each year thousands of people are injured because they don't know the proper way to use a tool. This is especially true of power tools. For example, many lawnmower injuries can be avoided simply by reading the instruction manual and understanding its dangers. Never try to clear an obstruction or blockage of the lawnmower blade with your hand. And always read the instruction manual before using a new power tool.

If you suffer a hand injury in the garden, you may need hand surgery and months of physical therapy. Even then, you might recover only a fraction of your current hand strength and dexterity. For this reason, take extra care this summer when working in your yard.

If you have suffered a hand injury and want the best care available, please contact The Centre for Working Hands today.

A New, Non-Surgical Treatment for Dupuytren's Disease

2011-04-25T10:45:00.000-04:00

Dupuytren's disease is caused by an abnormal thickening in the connective tissue between the tendons and the skin in a person’s hand, which causes the fingers to bend toward the palm, without an ability to straighten them. The disease may begin subtly, as a slight bump or pit in the palm of the hand, often near the crease between the ring and small finger. As the tissue grows, however, it can begin to look like a cord below the skin, separating the palm from the fingers.

There are several simple treatments for Dupuytren's disease, including splints, occupational therapy, and steroid injections. These tend to slow the progression of Dupuytren's, but cannot reverse the condition. When the disease reaches the point that it limits hand functions, a patient must undergo surgery, which involves removal of the fibrous cord. In some cases, this cord has become connected to the skin, which may be cause for removal of this skin as well. If this happens, a skin graft is used to cover the exposed area of the palm.

Last year, however, the FDA approved a new injectable treatment to soften the cord and improve the range of motion in fingers of Dupuytren's sufferers. Studies have shown that this new injection, Xiaflex, can significantly reduce the amount of contracture in a person’s hands and restore function. Although this may reduce the need for surgery, it is likely not a replacement for surgery in all cases.

If you suffer from Dupuytren's disease and are looking for the best care, schedule an appointment with The Centre for Working Hands today. Our experienced hand surgeons will work with you to determine the right treatment.

Machines that Heal: Our Hand Therapy Devices

2011-03-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

When you suffer a hand injury, the road to recovery can be long. During the initial phases of recovery following injury and/or surgery, your hand may have to be isolated and immobilized, but once your hand has recovered sufficiently, it is necessary to begin flexing your joints in order to prevent immobilization disease and promote joint nutrition and recovery. Unfortunately, your muscles may not be capable of performing these motions initially. Or it might not be desirable to put strain on them to perform the number of repetitions necessary to enhance joint recovery.

That's where our hand therapy devices come in. The Vector 1 and Vector 2 are continuous passive motion machines that can move your hand and fingers through the necessary motions without putting any strain on healing muscles. The Vector 1 is used to move all your fingers simultaneously through the same range of motion. The Vector 2, on the other hand, can be used to perform continuous passive motions of the wrist as well as the fingers.

These devices help us help you get your full range of motion back as soon as possible after your hand injury.

If you have suffered a hand injury and want to achieve the fullest recovery possible in the shortest time possible, The Centre for Working Hands can help. Please contact us today to learn more.

"Mommy Thumbs" a Common Condition

2011-03-02T10:34:00.000-05:00

If you are a woman who cares for one or more small children and have noticed that you have pain at the base of one or both thumbs, you could be suffering from what is coming to be known as "mommy thumbs." The condition is technically known as DeQuervain's tendonitis.

When you pick up a child by hooking your hands under his or her arms, some of the weight presses against your thumb, forcing it backward. This can put stress on the tendons connected to the thumb, causing them to become inflamed. Once the tendons begin to swell, they rub against the sheath of tissue containing them at the wrist, which causes pain and further inflammation.

Like many hand conditions, mommy thumbs may start out as a minor irritation but grow worse over time. If caught early, DeQuervain's tendonitis can be treated by a combination of rest, splinting, and anti-inflammatory medication. Later, steroid injections may be necessary. Finally, in some cases, hand surgery is required.

In addition to women who pick up small children, DeQuervain's tendonitis is seen in construction workers who put stress on their thumbs with the hammer, or people who do a lot of typing.

If you have pain in your hand, ignoring it may just make it worse. To learn more about treatment options for DeQuervain's tendonitis and other hand conditions, please call or email The Centre for Working Hands today.

Give Your Bottom Line a Hand with Injury Prevention Training

2011-01-29T16:05:00.001-05:00

Hand injuries, especially repetitive motion hand injuries, are a serious threat to the profitability of any company. When your employees suffer a hand injury,whether an acute injury or a repetitive motion injury like carpal tunnel syndrome, they miss time from work, may need medical care that you will have to pay for through Workers' Compensation insurance (which can increase your rates), and may have permanent reduced productivity. Whether you are a large company or a small one, the effect can be dramatic.

To reduce the costs associated with hand injuries, we offer injury prevention training with the Injury Management Prevention and Cost Containment (IMPACC) program. Businesses that have used this program have seen an average reduction of lost-time claims of about 60-70 %. This program achieves such dramatic results by an analysis that includes not just the workstation, but also the worker. Not only do we look at the ergonomic design of your workstations and make ongoing recommendations, we help you develop strategies for improving work tolerance, decreasing tissue damage, and increasing the healing rate for damaged tissues.

Our strategy also enlists your employees, teaching them the best work habits, but also better self-care habits that can help them prevent these painful injuries.

If you are looking to give a hand up to your bottom line, injury prevention training by The Centre for Working Hands is a great option. To learn more, please contact us today at our Elkhart or Mishawaka office.

Why You Should Work with a Certified Hand Therapist

2010-08-01T16:15:00.003-04:00

If you want your working hands to maintain their function or resume full function as soon as possible after an injury or disorder, trust the credentials of a certified hand therapist. A certified hand therapist is an excellent complement to the other professionals who work to ensure your hands--or those that work for you--remain in their best possible shape to do the work that we all depend on.

Certified hand therapists work with hand surgeons to first manage wounds, reduce swelling, and reduce the chance of hypertrophic scars. They can help determine the best course of action for therapy after surgery to encourage healing at the best rate to restore function without risking further injury that will set back the timetable for maximal recovery.

Certified hand therapists have extensive training in the delicate nerve network of the hands and can help with managing acute pain or dealing with desensitization or numbness. This can include sensory re-education to help a patient adapt to an altered nerve network after injury. This may mean training in the basic life skills that were built on years of life experience with the pre-injury nerve network. The goal is to return you to as close to full functioning as possible so you can return to your life and work after injury.

Certified hand therapists are also experts in injury prevention, and can provide the perfect complement to ergonomic engineering. Where the ergonomic engineers look at the physical structures that define work habits, during consultation a hand therapist looks at the work habits themselves and help people to properly utilize ergonomically-designed workstations to avoid injury.

In short, if you are looking to prevent or recover from hand and arm injuries, certified hand therapists provide a unique skill set that can dramatically reduce time lost due to these injuries. For more information, please contact The Centre for Working Hands to talk to the hand experts at our Elkhart or Mishawaka office.

Recovering from Traumatic Hand Injury

2010-07-20T18:26:00.000-04:00

If you suffered a traumatic hand injury at work, at home, in a car accident, or elsewhere, you might fear that you will never be able to use your hand again. If it is your dominant hand that was injured you might worry you will be forever disabled. However, recovery from even some of the most traumatic types of injury is possible, and The Centre for Working Hands was established to help people overcome the challenges of traumatic hand injury and achieve as full a recovery as possible.

At The Centre for Working Hands, our hand surgeons are skilled in microsurgical techniques of replantation and nerve repair. They also have experience in the design and use of skin and muscle flaps to help complete your hand reconstruction and special technologies that can help heal fractures in the complex bone structure of the hand.

What also makes The Centre for Working Hands special is our attention to the psychological and emotional aspects of your recovery. Because we are both a surgical and rehabilitative practice, we see the two as integrated parts of the healing process, especially in deeply affective procedures like replantation of a severed digit or limb.

If you have suffered a serious hand injury and are looking for expert care that combines surgical expertise, long experience, and a whole-person approach to healing, please contact The Centre for Working Hands today.

Trigger Finger: Not Just for Action Heroes

2010-06-19T18:17:00.000-04:00

This summer's hottest gunslingers may be in the Old West with the movie Jonah Hex and the game Red Dead Redemption, but unfortunately trigger finger is an all too common injury today. Trigger finger is a minor tendon injury to the hand that prevents your finger from extending. Trigger finger results when your flexor tendon abrades against its narrow passage of cartilage, which results in swelling in the tendon. Eventually, this swelling causes it to catch in the passage, preventing the finger from fully extending. Generally, it only catches momentarily, then slips free, but in some cases a person may be unable to extend the fingers at all.

If caught early, trigger finger can be treated nonsurgically. Resting may be enough to allow the swelling to reduce and the finger to move freely. Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used to reduce swelling.

However, more serious cases require surgery to treat. Surgery for trigger finger widens the tunnel around the tendon, allowing it to move more freely. The surgery typically results in minimal discomfort and recovery is typically very quick.

To learn more about surgical treatment for trigger finger or other tendon injuries, please schedule a consultation at The Centre for Working Hands in Elkhart or South Bend.

Recognizing Hobbies that Contribute to Work-Related Strain Injuries

2010-05-12T18:00:00.001-04:00

Most strain injuries are related to work because it is at work that we are constantly asked to perform the same actions over and over again. Whether it is typing and clicking with the mouse, pulling the trigger on the nail gun, or lifting and carrying heavy boxes, our job often demands that we perform the same task for a substantial portion of every working day. However, strain injuries can be worsened when our hobbies demand that we perform the same motions on our days off.

For example, if you spend most of your day working on the computer, the following hobbies may worsen related strain injuries:

Computer games

Sewing

Playing instruments like guitar, keyboard, or accordion

On the other hand, if you are on your feet all week long, hiking or running may not be the best choice of hobby. And if your job involves a lot of lifting or bending, then gardening or landscaping may worsen the strain on your lower back.

Here are some basic tips for reducing your hobby's contribution to work-related strain injuries:

Avoid hobbies that put stress on the same body parts that you stress at work. For example, if you swing a hammer or use hand tools all week, fly fishing may not be the best hobby for you. Instead, look for hobbies that use other muscles, such as running, biking, or hiking. Or, if you love your hobby, seriously evaluate the impact your hobby and your job have to decide whether you have to choose one or the other.

Make sure your home workspace is as ergonomic as your station at work.

Use as much caution to avoid strain at home as you do at work. Take regular breaks, lift with your legs, ask for help moving heavy objects, and other similar precautions.

Find hobbies that have the potential to condition your body, rather than strain it. Low-impact exercise appropriate to your physical condition is a good complement to any job.

Don't ignore the symptoms of strain-related injuries, as they will only worsen.

The fun of your hobby can distract you from the stress you are putting on your body in the short-term, but repetitive strain injury can ultimately rob you of your livelihood and your favorite pastime if not properly treated. Taking caution and getting appropriate treatment can ensure you can enjoy both work and play for years to come.

To learn more about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of strain injury, please contact The Centre for Working Hands to schedule a consultation about your symptoms and injury.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

2010-04-22T17:25:00.001-04:00

It is obvious that repetitive strain injuries (or repetitive motion injuries) are the result of repetitive uses of a particular set of muscles, tendons, and joints to do the same task over and over again. It should be equally obvious that the longer you perform the task in question, the worse your injury is likely to get. So it's important to learn the early signs of RSI and seek treatment before your injuries worsen.

Symptoms of RSI can develop in any part of your body that performs repetitive tasks. People commonly experience RSI in the hands because so many people's work depends on using a keyboard and mouse.

The RSI symptoms to be aware of are:

Tightness
General soreness
Dull ache
Throbbing or burning
Sharp pain
Numbness
Tingling
Swelling
Loss of strength or coordination

At first, the symptoms may only be present after a particularly hard day of work. Then they will begin to affect you every day after work, and grow gradually worse. Finally, you will experience the symptoms even on days when you did no work, and they may finally prevent you from doing your job. Not only do we perform advanced hand surgery to reduce the effects of RSI, we offer preventative training to help companies avoid these types of injuries.

Don't let your RSI become disabling. If you have any of the symptoms of RSI, please contact The Centre for Working Hands today to schedule an appointment at our Elkhart or South Bend offices.

Repetitive Strain Injuries: Reducing Your Risk

2010-03-15T14:36:00.001-04:00

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI), also known as repetitive motion injuries (RMI) are among the most common injuries in the United States. They are prominent among workplace injuries as resulting in millions of man-hours lost every year. With the number of people working at computers for all or most of their working days increasing, RSI is only likely to increase in frequency and severity. Not only are RSIs painful, but they may require advanced surgery and a prolonged recovery period. If you work at a computer and want to avoid this painful type of injury that can significantly reduce your quality of life, it is best to follow a few simple steps that can significantly reduce your risk of RSI.

Practice Good Posture. Good posture means sitting with your feet on the floor, your knees directly over your feet, your pelvis rocked slightly forward and your neck and spine in a natural curve. Ideally, your head should be almost directly over your pelvis. Your upper arms should be at your sides, your forearms horizontal or slightly downward.

Design Your Workstation around Your Body. Make sure your monitors are at the same level as your eyes, so you can look straight ahead while you work. Do not put your monitor off to the side: looking sideways all day long can lead to significant neck strain. Your chair should be highly adjustable so you can put yourself at the proper level and in the right position for your body. Use a foot rest if necessary.

Take Breaks. Most workplace injuries, including RSI, are the result of working too hard. As fun-loving as we are, Americans tend to be too hard-working and dedicated and we often spend too long at our workstations. Many frequent breaks are key to preventing RSI. Ideally, you should take ten minutes of breaks from typing every hour.

Keep in Good General Health. Hydration, good nutrition, and regular exercise are all important contributors to preventing RSI. If you keep yourself in good shape with a variety of exercises, you are less likely to suffer RSI.

If, however, it is too late, and you or someone you love is suffering from RSI, The Centre for Working Hands can help. Please contact us today to learn more about our surgery and rehabilitation services.

Welcome...

2010-02-11T18:02:00.001-05:00

Welcome to The Centre for Working Hands Blog. Our first blog entry is coming soon. Please check back, and thanks for visiting.