3-Point Products' Healthcare Blog

Where to buy 3-Point Products? Try Gold Violin!

Since the 3-Point Products' web site does not have a shopping cart you may have been wondering where to buy 3pp splints.

Gold Violin®, a division of Norm Thompson, is the newest in a long list of distributors of 3-Point Products. Gold Violin’s motto is “Helpful Products for Independent Living™” and they are now offering the  products below from 3-Point Products.

Gold Violin is using more generic terms for these products but you can be assured that these are the genuine 3-Point Products items. The product names below are actual links to the respective Gold Violin pages. For additional information about the products you can visit the respective pages here on our web site. 

1. 3pp Elbow Wrap: This splint for tennis elbow or golfer's elbow is light-weight and provides pressure only where necessary. It fits under clothes and is made of a breathable material to minimize sweating. Latex free.                        
   
   
                                          
2. 3pp Wrist Wrap: This low profile wrist support splint for sprains and ligament injuries is infinitely adjustable so the amount of compression can be modified throughout the day. It is lined with with a thin, slip resistant, breathable foam and hand or machine washable. Latex free.                        
   
   
   
                
   
3. 3pp ThumSling This thumb splint provides support for the joint at the base of the thumb, the CMC joint, for those suffering from basal joint arthritis. The 3pp ThumSling is very comfortable, light weight, thin (fits under sports, work, gardening or most winter gloves) and it is latex free.                        
   
   
   
   
4. SkinSational massager: This massager is great for deep tissue massage since scars are generally not just "skin-deep". By massaging a scar regularly, you increase circulation and speed up healing plus with this product you can reduce the tissue adhesions below the skin that can limit movement. Latex free.                         
   
   
                
   
5. 3pp PF Lift: This low profile plantar fasciitis splint is made of slip resistant, foam-lined breathable fabric and does not contain any uncomfortable hard plastic parts. It is small enough to put in a purse or suitcase - great for the frequent traveler - and can be adjusted with ease. It even fits in many types of shoes, though it was developed for night time wear.
   
   
   
   
   

If you are looking for distributors of other 3pp splints, please visit our Where to Buy page.

Let us know how you like our splints by leaving a comment below.

How Do You Treat Trigger Finger?

How is a Trigger Finger treated?
The treatments for a trigger finger include taking anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin or ibuprofen, wearing a splint that limits how much the finger can bend, or getting a cortisone injection from your doctor. Sometimes, all 3 methods may be combined to try and stop the triggering.

If splinting and cortisone injections fail to stop the problem, surgery may be needed to remove the inflamed or scarred tissues and free up the tendon.

What kind of splint options are there?
There are a variety of splint options available, with the best option being a splint that prevents the finger from bending to the point where it triggers but still allows you to use your hand.

Oval-8 Finger Splints are a great solution as they can be worn to prevent the finger from bending all the way but still allow you to use your hand. They are easy to wear and if you have any pain or tenderness in the palm they can be cushioned with a gel sleeve to prevent pressure over the tendon.

                                  

By limiting how far the finger bends, the tendon is less likely to get caught in the pulley or sheath and it has the chance to rest and heal. Oval-8 splints can be worn during the day and at night and they can be used after the finger has been injected to allow the finger to rest and the injection to be fully effective.

How do I get an Oval-8?
Oval-8 splints have to be sized and fit by a health care provider to make certain the fit is correct and that you know how to care for your finger. If your doctor or therapist doesn't know about Oval-8 splints, you can get more information by visiting the Oval-8 finger splint page, which includes a video on all of the conditions that can be treated by Oval-8 splints, how the splint is fitted for a Trigger finger and how it can be modified by a therapist or doctor.

You can even find the name of a hand surgeon or hand therapist near you who might have the Oval-8's and will be able to fit you and order you a splint by visiting the links found on the About Us page.

What is Trigger Finger and What Causes it?

What is a Trigger Finger
If you wake up with your finger stuck in a bent position or feel a pop when you try to straighten it, you may have a Trigger Finger. In an advanced case of Trigger Finger you may have to use your other hand to open the finger.

                                       

The tendons that bend your finger are called the flexor tendons and they travel through the palm and into the fingers. The tendons move through a covering called a "sheath" and they pass through a series of pulleys that hold the tendons close to the finger.

If there is swelling around the tendon or a nodule that has built up, the tendon can get stuck in the sheath or as it goes through the pulley. When that happens, the finger can get caught in a closed position and when your tendon pulls to straighten it, the swollen area pops as it is forced through the pulley.

How do you get a Trigger Finger?
Many Trigger Fingers are in response to overuse and people who grip tools for long periods or do other repetitive tasks are prone to developing trigger fingers. It's also not uncommon for trigger fingers to occur with no known cause.

Swan Neck Deformity Explained

                 

What is a Swan Neck deformity?
A Swan Neck deformity is a condition where the middle joint of the finger, known as the PIP joint, hyperextends or bends backwards and the end joint near the fingernail, known as the DIP joint, flexes or is bent downwards.

How do you get a Swan Neck deformity?
The most common causes of a Swan Neck deformity are a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a ligament injury or an untreated Mallet or "Baseball" finger. Swan Neck deformity can also be a problem for people with a connective tissue disease known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).

There is a thick ligament called the volar plate under the middle finger joint that keeps it from bending backwards. This ligament can be damaged by the inflammation common in Rheumatoid Arthritis and it can be torn when the finger is forcefully hyperextended. In addition to the volar plate, the tendons that act on the middle and end joint can be damaged or displaced by arthritis and by injuries such as Mallet finger injury or hyperextension.

Some people are born with loose or lax joints that are often misnamed "double jointed". This laxity allows the fingers to bend backwards without there being any injury and without it being a problem. But for persons with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, the fingers can hyperextend so much that it's difficult to bend the fingers.

How is a Swan Neck deformity treated?
Splinting the finger to stop the hyperextension is often all that is needed and can be a very successful long term solution. In more severe cases, surgery can be done to help realign the tendons and tighten the tissues around the joint.

What kind of splint options are there?
There are splints on the market designed to treat Swan Neck deformity. There are some different metal splints available, one made out of stainless steel and one made from silver. Because the steel splints can be hard to wear and the silver splints can be expensive, I designed a lightweight plastic splint called the Oval-8 Finger Splint.

                                           

Oval-8 splints are designed to prevent hyperextension at the PIP joint but allow the finger to bend. They come in a broad range of sizes so they will fit almost any hand and are thin enough to be worn on several fingers at the same time if necessary. The wide bands make them comfortable to wear and depending on skin color, they can almost disappear on your finger. Oval-8's are comfortable, cost effective and can be worn short term or permanently if needed.

                                             

How do I get an Oval-8 splint?
Oval-8 splints have to be sized and fitted by a health care provider to make certain the fit is correct and that you know how to care for your finger.

If your doctor or therapist does not know about Oval-8 splints, you and they can get more information by visiting the Oval-8 page on this web site. It includes a video that shows how the Oval-8 is fit for a Swan Neck deformity.

You can even look for a hand surgeon or hand therapist near you who might have the Oval-8's and will be able to fit you by going to the "About Us" page. There are links for finding hand therapists or orthopedic doctors at the bottom of that page.

Top 10 adaptive products to help with arthritis – Part 2

As I mentioned in my previous blog, there are lots of products available to make living with arthritis easier. Therapists call them adaptive devices, or ADL’s, which stands for Aids to Daily Living. Some you my have heard of, others you may not have or you may not have thought of alternative uses.

The previous blog covered self-opening scissors, alternative uses for wet towels and for pliers, as well as slip-resistant Dycem and quality pens.

Here is the second half of my TOP 10 list of adaptive items to help with arthritis.

6. A long-handled reacher

                             

         (image of Handi-Reacher courtesy of Sammons Preston, a division of Patterson Medical, Inc.)  

Every household should have a long handled reacher. It does not matter if you don’t have arthritis, back pain, or you are tall enough to reach the ceiling, a reacher should be a standard household tool. When selecting a reacher, try to find one that requires all fingers to engage the mechanism. They are easier to use.

There is always a space between cupboards or next to the washer that something is certain to fall into. A narrow long handled reacher makes it easy to grasp the envelope that slipped between the cupboard and the stove, to pick up the sock that would otherwise go into the “disappeared” pile next to the dryer, and to pull that roll of paper towel to the edge of a just too high shelf. My reacher hangs in my pantry/laundry closet and it sees regular use. I have big pine trees in my backyard and my reacher is the ideal tool to pick up the hundreds of pine cones that fall each year without me having to bend down hundreds of times to clean the yard.

7. Bath Mitts

                                       
     (image of Sponge Wash Mitt courtesy of Sammons Preston, a division of Patterson Medical, Inc.)

A wash mitt beats a wash cloth every time. Slip it on one hand, soap it up and you are done trying to keep a grip on the cloth and keep it soaped up. Simply switch hands as needed and bathing becomes just a bit less stressful for your hands especially if you have arthritis. Combined with my number 3 choice, a bath chair, showering or bathing is safer and more comfortable and you have a few extra moments to just let the warm water soak sore joints and bones.

8. A Shower or Bath Chair

                                     

      (image of Shower Chair courtesy of Sammons Preston, a division of Patterson Medical, Inc.)

A simple seat or bath bench is ideal for relaxing and safe bathing. The model shown folds so it is easy to take in and out of the tub or shower and can be stored out of the way if needed. Sitting makes it easier and safer to reach your feet with

the bath mitt and it allows you to get a good relaxing soak.

9. Stocking or Sock Aid

                            

                                              (image courtesy of North Coast Medical)

If you have arthritis, back pain or mobility problems and reaching your feet or holding open a sock is difficult, Sock aids really do work. The one shown here has a flat bottom to allow your foot to slide in and out of it easily. It is effective with all but really tight compression stockings. You can search for this aide under the name Sock-Assist. For true confession’s sake, even though my company does not carry this aide, I did design it for the company who makes it and it was my first patent. And it works, so I can safely recommend it.

10. Work gloves with a gripping surface

                                                             

Gloves that have a silicone or rubber gripping surface make a lot of tasks easier and safer. There are a variety of lightweight gloves that are easy to slip on an off and can be used for many tasks. If you have arthritis or you don’t, the gripping surface makes it easier to hold things so you apply less force and therefore less stress on your hands and arms. If your hand strength is diminished, gripper gloves make tasks such as slicing meat or picking up heavy vases or books, easier and safer.

These are great when vacuuming or sweeping and my mother takes them with her to the grocery store so she can safely take cans off the shelf and lift heavy juice containers into her cart. The gloves pictured above are just two of the many brands available.

So now I have given you my Top 5 picks plus my next Top 5 picks for items that really do make it safer and less stressful to perform daily activities. If you have arthritis, diminished mobility or strength or like me, just don’t want to add more stress on an aging body than I have to, these are good things to have and use.

There are other well designed products that can be very helpful. When deciding what you might want to have in your house, your purse or your car to make it easier to get through your day with less physical stress, ask yourself these questions:

1. Is this something that will help me do something I can’t really do anymore?
2. Will I use it regularly?
3. If my friends see me using this will they want one too?

If you answer yes to any of these questions – buy it.

What are your favorite “tools” to make living with arthritis easier? Share them in the comments below.

Top 10 Adaptive Products To Help With Arthritis - Part 1

Q. Can “knick knacks” really make my arthritic hands feel better?

A. Yes and no. Knick knacks or more formally, adaptive devices or equipment, reduce pain if they decrease the amount of force you use when opening jars, hold a pen or comb your hair. Equipment will not cure your arthritis but can help lessen the progression and make doing daily activities less painful and less stressful on an affected joint.

Q. Which equipment works the best for people with arthritis?

A. As a practicing occupational therapist I spent a good deal of time choosing the most appropriate equipment for my patients and showing them how to use it. In general, the equipment I liked the best was usually the simplest and often things you already have in your home.

The more “stuff” you have, the less you will tend to use so I like to keep it simple and to a minimum. There are some great products available that really make a difference when your hands are weak or in pain. I have a top 10 list of products that make living with arthritis easier. The top 5 are shown below. The next 5 will be in a future blog. So here goes my list of the TOP 5 adaptive products for arthritis:

1. Self-opening loop scissors

                                         
         (image of  Loop Scissors courtesy of Sammons Preston, a division of Patterson Medical, Inc.)

With looped scissors you do not need to try fitting sore or enlarged fingers in two small handle holes. The self-opening scissors require about 1/2 the amount of strength to open than do regular scissors. Mine stay in my kitchen utensil organizer so they are readily at hand. They won’t cut a chicken but they are great at cutting coupons, any paper, tape or string.

2. A damp towel

                               

                            (image of terry cloth towels courtesy of North Coast Medical, Inc.)

Everybody has a towel and most every kitchen or bathroom has a damp towel. Placing bowls or cups on a damp towel keeps them from moving when you are using two hands to stir a bowl or pour from a pot. A damp towel helps you grip a jar to open it or to pour from. A damp towel is a good resting spot for a warm cookie sheet when you are trying to remove stuck cookies. A damp towel makes clean up easy so you don’t have to scrunch up a sponge or paper towel. And a damp towel will dry quickly or go into the washing machine and come out ready to use again.

3. Slip resistant Dycem® strips or mats

                   

(image of Dycem Pressure-Sensitive Strips courtesy of Sammons Preston, a division of Patterson Medical, Inc.)

Dycem® is a non-slip material that comes in sheets to be used as non-slip mats and it comes in self-adhesive strips to wrap around utensils or handles. The added friction provided by Dycem material ensures that you use less strength to hold or manipulate something. For instance, you can wrap a strip around a round doorknob to make it easier to open or around your favorite mixing spoon to make it easier to hold. Wrap a strip of Dycem onto a cane or walker handle for better security or around the refrigerator or oven door to make it easier to open. Dycem should be washed or rinsed regularly for it to maintain its non-slip surface.

4. Narrow pliers
          

                                    
(image of Economy Needle-Nose Pliers/Wire Cutters courtesy of Sammons Preston, a division of Patterson Medical, Inc.)

Needle nose pliers are useful in a variety of locations. Use them to pull the cotton out of those small annoying medicine bottles. Use them to hold one end of a bracelet or necklace while you fasten it. Needle nose pliers make holding most small items less stressful on your hands.

5. A quality pen

While some people like to recommend built up pens or pencils, my advice is to buy a good pen with quality ink that flows easily and needs minimal pressure to write clearly. A built up pen that writes poorly is harder to hold and write with than a thinner, better quality pen. If you tend to lose pens, use a sticky label to add your name to make it easier to identify and remember. Always keep the pen in one place and always return it to that place when you are done. You do not need to spend a fortune on a pen but a 15 cent office store pen will never be worth the 15 cents you spent when your thumb is too sore to write with it.

As for the next 5 items on my top-10 list of products that can make living with arthritis easier, look for the next blog.

Do you use products that help make your life with arthritis easier? Share them in the comments below to help others.

Solutions®: Newest Distributor of 3-Point Products

We are happy to announce that Solutions, a Norm Thompson division, has added two of our products to their print and online catalogs. Solutions specializes in “Products that make life easier®”.

The first product Solutions offers for sale on its web site is the 3pp™ PF Lift™ for the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis. You can find it in the Personal Care / Foot Care category to round out their selection of Foot Care products.

                                                

The 3pp PF Lift can be worn day or night and is one of the very few products for “plantar fasciitis” that is thin enough to be worn in a regular shoe, should you decide to wear it during the day. The PF Lift provides support for the plantar fascia, a band of tissue at the bottom of the foot that can get inflamed due to overstretching or overuse. Plantar fasciitis can turn into a rather painful condition that is often treated with a combination of stretching exercises and night splinting.

The PF Lift can be worn day and night and is therefore a more versatile option than many of its hard plastic counterparts, which can only be worn at night.This splint is made of a soft, latex free, breathable, slip-resistant material that folds so small it fits in even the smallest suitcase if you need to take it with you on a trip. Another benefit is that this splint won’t hurt your partner if you accidentally kick them in the middle of the night. How many other night splints for plantar fasciitis can claim that?

In order to increase its “life span”, it is recommended to wash this plantar fasciitis splint daily. It may be helpful to purchase two splints if you plan to wear the splint during the day and at night. That way you can wear one while the other one air dries.

Did this peak your interest? If so, and you would like to watch a brief video on how to apply the splint and take advantage of Solutions’ current “buy 2 and save” introductory offer, click on “Arch Support Wrap and we’ll link you directly to the Solutions web page where you can find this item.

                                           

The second product you can now purchase from Solutions is the SkinSational™ Brush, a soft, bristle-free way to exfoliate and also a great way to massage scar tissue. Use it to:

• Exfoliate and cleanse your skin to remove dead skin cells and open pores.
• Relieve mild to moderate acne by clearing out toxins from the area through the stimulating massage action
• Prep skin for a clean, smooth shave by lifting hair follicles for a closer shave
• Massage scars comfortably to reduce swelling, aid healing and loosen scar tissue

This multi-purpose product is so effective you’ll want to take it with you even on business trips or vacation and small enough so you can.

Here too, Solutions has an introductory offer of “Buy 2 and Save”! Interested? Just click on “SkinSational Brush”

Be sure to tell your friends about these introductory offers so they too can enjoy the benefits of these quality products from 3-Point Products and take advantage of the current price advantages offered by Solutions.

 

Osteo Arthritis (OA) & Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): A Brief Description

The word arthritis comes from the root word for joint “arthro” and “itis” meaning inflammation, combining to mean joint inflammation. Arthritis is a complex disorder that comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any age. Two of the most common forms are Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

What is the Difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?

OA and RA have different causes and effects on the body, yet they often share a common symptom – persistent joint pain. The joint pain of arthritis can appear as knee or hip pain, hand pain, as well as joint pain in other areas of the body. Symptoms including stiffness and/or swelling in a joint for more than 2 weeks may indicate you have arthritis.

OA is caused by the breakdown and loss of the cartilage that covers and cushions the joints. Primary OA is related to aging – the simple wear and tear we all experience over time. OA can affect multiple joints including the hands, feet, spine and large weight bearing joints. Primary OA also may have a hereditary or genetic component – it your mother and father both have OA; there is an increased likelihood you will develop it also.

OA that is caused by a specific injury or condition is called Secondary OA. A previous injury to a joint, severe obesity or diabetes can be contributing factors to developing arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a distinctly different disease. RA is an autoimmune disease that causes ongoing inflammation of the joints. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly “attacks” the body’s tissues believing there is something wrong with them. RA not only affects the joints, it can also inflame the tissues around the joints as well as other organs in the body. For this reason, RA is called a systemic disease meaning it can affect multiple body systems.

Joint damage from RA can be much more extensive than just cartilage damage. In some cases, the cartilage, bone and ligaments can be destroyed leaving severely deformed joints. RA most commonly affects the hands and feet first. As the disease progresses, the shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and even jaw and neck can become involved. Unlike OA, the symptoms of RA are more likely to affect the same joints on both sides of the body.

How Do I Know Which One I Have?

The most common symptoms of OA include steady or intermittent pain in a joint, stiffness after periods of inactivity, especially sleeping or sitting, swelling or tenderness in a joint or joints and crunching sounds or sensations when moving a joint.

Symptoms of RA differ from person to person but generally include: Joint tenderness, warmth, and swelling. Both sides of the body are usually affected at the same time. Other symptoms include pain and stiffness in the morning that lasts for more than one hour, fatigue, occasional fever and a general sense of not feeling well.

Your health care provider can help determine what form of arthritis you have an how best to treat it. Remember that there are over 100 forms of arthritis and a proper diagnosis is the key to the right treatment.

My Thumb Hurts. Do I Have Thumb Arthritis?

If you feel pain at the base of your thumb (down by the wrist) when you pinch or grasp something, you may have arthritis of the basal or CMC joint. This very unique joint is the most common site for arthritis in the hand. If you are a woman over the age of 40 (and willing to admit it), you stand a higher than average chance of having thumb arthritis. There are other conditions that can also cause pain around the base of the thumb so it is important to discuss the problem with your health care provider.

The good news is - there are things you can do to alleviate the pain and lessen the progression of the arthritis.

Stages of arthritis

Like any other type of arthritis, CMC joint arthritis can be mild or very severe, interfering in your ability to perform daily activities. As a therapist deciding how to treat someone, I break thumb arthritis down into three stages.

Stage 1
At the onset of CMC joint arthritis, you may feel a "grabbing" or sharp pain only when you start doing an activity. You may find the pain diminishes once the activity gets underway only to return when you stop the activity. This occasional pain is easy to ignore - but I don't advise it.

Stage 2
As the arthritis progresses, pain may be present with even light activity or at rest. You may also experience pain and tenderness when you touch the joint. At this point you may notice the base of the thumb "sticking out" and looking as though it is a little ledge or step. Now if there were any doubt you have CMC arthritis, your thumb is definitely telling you otherwise.

Stage 3
In later stages, the thumb can assume a few different "crooked" postures. When the middle knuckle of the thumb (the MCP joint at the level of the web space) is flexed or bent, and the end or IP joint is hyperextended, it is called a Boutonniere Deformity.

The opposite of this posture is a Swan Neck deformity. The MCP is hyperextended and it may be difficult to move he thumb sideways, opening the web space. With time, the skin in the web can shrink, making it impossible to open the thumb away from the palm.

In late stages, pain may actually decreases but the deformity impairs function and strength is greatly diminished.

Is there anything I can do not to end up with Stage 2 or Stage 3 arthritis?

It would be really nice to be able to say - if you take this pill, wear this splint, or do this exercise, the arthritis will not progress or it may even go way. Unfortunately for those with a family history of arthritis or those who just did not win the toss of the die for long lived, healthy bones, the disease may progress despite the best care.

What you can do however, is learn to use your hands so they take less stress, use devices that help you perform daily tasks with less stress, and wear functional splints or braces that support the joint.

Even at the very early stages of CMC arthritis, wearing a support that applies light compression and helps maintain the integrity of the joint, can really help relieve pain and allow better function.

I can't wear a hard splint and still work. Are there other options?

Yes, there are a variety of options in soft splints. There are several companies that use Neoprene (the same fabric skin divers wear) that apply compression and restrict some motion, but still allow enough motion to be able to function. Liberty and Comfort Cool splints from North Coast Medical and Freedom splints from Alimed are some brands of Neoprene splints. There are other lighter weight foam lined splints that provide cushioning, support and light compression with only slight restriction on motion. 3pp splints from 3-Point Products offer some very functional options in lightweight thumb and wrist splints.

The important thing to know is that you can do something to decrease the pain and reduce stress to try and limit future deformity and dysfunction.

Future blogs will discuss joint protection techniques and the "adaptive equipment" everyone should be using. Another blog is planned to discuss surgical options for those in stage 3 where splints only provide some relief and who need more than a splint and equipment can provide.

Wrist Pain from TFCC Injuries or Tears

The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) is a group of ligaments and cartilage on the ulnar (little finger side) of the hand. Cartilage is a firm rubbery tissue that cushions the bones. The TFCC ligaments attach the cartilage to the small wrist bones which also suspend the ends of the two forearm bones, the ulna (on the little finger side of the forearm) and the radius (on the thumb side).

The most common symptoms of a TFCC problem are wrist pain on the little finger side of the wrist with a clicking or popping sound when moving the wrist or rotating the forearm. Wrist pain is generally felt when gripping tightly or when pushing on the hand to raise up from a chair.

TFCC problems can be caused by a fall on an outstretched hand (a "FOOSH") or simply degeneration from overuse and the aging process. Athletes, particularly gymnasts who weight bare on their hands, are prone to TFCC problems.

Treatment for a TFCC problem includes splinting the wrist for a period of time to reduce symptoms followed by a program of range of motion exercises to restore motion and strengthening. Initial splinting for rest includes an immobilizing wrist splint. A splint that is trimmed to allow the fingers to move freely makes it easier to wear without having to remove it for daily activities. Splints with D-ring straps that secure the splint firmly are also recommended.

There are only a few splints designed specifically to address TFCC problems.  The 3pp Carpal Lift supports the ulnar carpal bones to realign the wrist and relieve stress on the TFCC.  A pad cushions the palm of the hand and two straps lift the carpal bones into place. This splint can be worn during activity and is recommended for incomplete tears to allow healing and when surgery is not needed or is delayed. Another splint is called the Wrist Widget and it attempts to relieve the problem by strapping the ends of the forearm bones together to prevent the displacement caused by a TFCC tear.

TFCC problems can be very persistent and rarely go away by themselves. An orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hand and wrist problems can diagnose the condition and direct a proper treatment program.