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.
Read MoreLori 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.
Read MoreLori 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.
Read MoreLori 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 MoreLori 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.
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.
Read MoreLori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Wed, Nov 06,2019 @ 11:00 AM
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.
Read MoreLori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Fri, Oct 11,2019 @ 12:36 PM
Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Tue, Sep 17,2019 @ 10:45 AM
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.
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.
Read MoreLori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Thu, Aug 29,2019 @ 03:30 PM
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.Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT on Tue, Aug 20,2019 @ 11:25 AM
With Rheumatoid Arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues affecting the lining of the joints and causing swelling that may eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. The wrist and fingers are involved in approximately 75% of cases.
The early stages of RA include pain, swelling, and stiffness upon waking, while the later stages include progression to significant deformity and instability. A common treatment in the early stages is the use of a resting orthosis at night during sleep.
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