3-Point Products' Blog

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Anatomy of the Wrist

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a complicated component of the wrist comprised of several ligaments, an articular disc, a meniscus homolog and the sheath for one of the extensor tendons that crosses the ulnar wrist.

With the NFL season off to a strong start, it's highly likely that many players are starting to sustain injuries not only to their knees, shoulders and ankles but also to their hands. Jersey Finger is an injury that primarily occurs in football and other contact sports. As we roll into the football season, this may be a good time to review what jersey finger is and how it's treated.     

What is Jersey Finger?

Jersey finger injury is a traumatic rupture of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon from its point of attachment at the base of the distal phalanx.

Testing for de Quervain's Tenosynovitis

You may have heard about a newer way to test for de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. This test applies stress to the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons without stressing the thumb and wrist joints.

Along with this testing standard for de Quervain’s, the terminology used to describe the condition has also changed over the years.