Healthcare Blog | 3-Point Products

How to Manage a Thumb Deformity from Rheumatoid Arthritis

Posted by Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Fri, Mar 27,2020 @ 02:50 PM

Causes of Deformity in the Rheumatoid Thumb

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a destructive inflammatory disease that impacts soft tissue. This disease commonly involves the thumb and causes deformities to the thumb through tendon rupture or tendon subluxation and the abnormal stretching of ligaments and other joint structures.

The 3pp Carpal Lift and 3pp Wrist POP Splint for TFCC Injuries

Posted by Jennifer Curtis on Wed, Mar 18,2020 @ 11:50 AM

TFCC Wrist Injuries

The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) is a group of ligaments and cartilage on the ulnar side of the hand. The TFCC ligaments attach the cartilage to the small wrist bones which also suspend the ends of the two forearm bones, the ulna and the radius.

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

3 Hand Splints For Ulnar Deviation

Posted by Jennifer Curtis on Wed, Mar 04,2020 @ 12:50 PM

The primary cause of Ulnar Deviation of the Metacarpal Phalangeal joints (MP) of the fingers, a chronic, irreversible condition, is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The MP joints are a primary site of rheumatoid deformities due to several anatomical and bio mechanical factors. Chief among the factors are:

The shape of the metacarpal head allows for a certain degree of motion in an ulnar direction which contributes to the hands ability to create a strong grip

Assessing Ulnar Sided Carpal Instability

Posted by Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Fri, Feb 14,2020 @ 12:20 PM

Instability in the ulnar carpal wrist may present with pain, swelling, and tenderness in the ulnar aspect of the wrist. Instability due to weakened or rupture ligaments, can occur between the ulna and the carpus, the lunate-triquetral joint, and/or the triquetrohamate joint.

The following describes a few important assessments to assist clinical evaluation of ulnar sided wrist pain when the symptoms are suspected to be related to ulnar carpal instability.

Skier’s Thumb: A Hazard of Hitting the Slopes

Posted by Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Tue, Feb 04,2020 @ 03:30 PM

As skiing enthusiasts hit the slopes this time of the year, the likelihood of the number of thumb injuries increases. An ulnar collateral ligament injury of the thumb called Skier’s Thumb represents 5-10% of all skiing injuries and has been described as the most frequent injury to the upper extremity experienced by skiers.

Scaphoid Fractures - Treatment and Rehabilitation

Posted by Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Fri, Jan 17,2020 @ 03:57 PM

Scaphoid fractures most often occur in males between the ages of 15 to 30 years old and usually are sustained with wrist hyperextension and radial deviation as a consequence of a fall onto an outstretched hand. Individuals with a scaphoid fracture often present with pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and tenderness in the anatomic snuffbox.

How to Treat Gamekeeper's Thumb or Skier's Thumb

Posted by Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Tue, Jan 07,2020 @ 12:30 PM

The term Gamekeeper’s Thumb is used when referring to an ulnar collateral injury caused by repetitive stress on the thumb during such activities as using a wrench, twisting electrical cords or wringing out heavy cloths. The term Skier’s Thumb is commonly used when there is an acute, forceful abduction of the thumb as when a skier falls without letting go of the ski pole. The injury may also be the result of falling on an outstretched thumb or catching a ball with an outstretched thumb.

Comfort Cool or Design Line - A Comparison of Thumb Arthritis Splints

Posted by Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Mon, Dec 09,2019 @ 03:20 PM

Osteoarthritis (OA) at the base of the thumb is a common diagnosis among older individuals. Research suggests that 26.2% of women and 13.4 % of men age 71-100 years old have symptoms of this diagnosis and that approximately 70% of community dwelling individuals with hand pain have OA at the base of the thumb as well.

Studies have consistently found that using an orthosis helps to decrease pain and improve function for individuals with arthritis at the base of the thumb. There is no consistent evidence to suggest that one orthosis is more effective than another, however, research does suggest that individuals prefer pre-fabricated designed orthoses. Read More

Thumb Deformity: Treating Thenar Wasting With a Splint

Posted by Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Fri, Nov 22,2019 @ 02:09 PM

Along with a more common thumb deformity caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, thumb deformities can also be a result of thenar wasting, caused by median nerve injury or compression.

What causes the deformity?

The median nerve innervates the opponens pollicis (OP) and abductor pollicis brevis (APB). These two muscles make up most of the bulk of the thenar eminence and allow the thumb to perform palmar abduction (thumb opening away from the palm) and rotation for pad to pad prehension.

Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery - Endoscopic vs Mini Open

Posted by Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Wed, Nov 06,2019 @ 11:00 AM

Types of Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve compression and at any one point in time it impacts 3% of the population. Surgery for a carpal tunnel release is considered a gold standard in treatment and is performed when symptoms are severe enough to warrant surgical intervention. There are two main categories for types of carpal tunnel releases at this point in time.