Wrist / Hand
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
For more info: orthoinfo.aaos.org
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve disorder of the hand caused when the median nerve gets squeezed inside a narrow passage in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. This nerve provides feeling to the thumb, index and middle fingers, and half the ring finger. Carpal tunnel syndrome should be treated as early as possible after you begin to experience symptoms. The longer you take to seek treatment the more irreparable damage is done.
Upon examination, Dr. Augustin, depending on the severity of the carpal tunnel, will begin with a conservative treatment. This often begins with taking frequent breaks to rest your hands, avoiding activities that worsen symptoms, splinting, applying cold packs to reduce any swelling, an anti-inflammatory or possibly a corticosteroid injection.
More severe cases of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or those that persist for more than six months, may require surgery to relieve tingling and numbness. The goal of carpal tunnel surgery is to relieve pressure on your median nerve by cutting the ligament pressing on the nerve. This procedure can be done arthroscopically with less post-operative pain and a quicker recovery. Dr. Augustin will discuss the options with you regarding your specific needs.
Wrist Fractures
For more info: orthoinfo.aaos.org
A wrist fracture is a break in one or more of the bones in the wrist. The wrist is made up of the two bones in the forearm (radius and ulna) and eight carpal bones.
If the broken bone is in a good position, a plaster cast may be applied until the bone heals.
In the event the position of the bone is so much out of place that it cannot be corrected or kept corrected in a cast, surgery may be required.
Surgery typically involves making an incision to directly access the broken bones to improve alignment. Depending on the fracture, there are a number of options for holding the bone in the correct position while it heals:
- Cast
- Metal pins
- Plate and screws
- External fixator (a stabilizing frame outside the body that holds the bones in the proper position so they can heal)
Trigger Finger
For more info: orthoinfo.aaos.org
Trigger finger is a painful condition that causes the fingers or thumb to catch or lock when bent. In the thumb its called trigger thumb.
One of the first symptoms of trigger finger is soreness at the base of the finger or thumb. The most common symptom is a painful clicking or snapping when bending or straightening the finger. This catching sensation tends to get worse after resting the finger or thumb and loosens up with movement.
If Dr. Augustin has diagnosed you with trigger finger he will start a conservative, non-surgical treatment involving over the counter pain medicine, an anti-inflammatory. Dr. Augustin may choose to inject a corticosteroid — a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. If these nonsurgical options have failed the doctor will discuss surgery.
The goal of surgery is to widen the opening of the tunnel so that the tendon can slide through it more easily. This is usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you will not need to stay overnight at the hospital.
Call  201.437.9700 for our Bayonne location or call  973.680.4200 for our Bloomfield location to schedule a consultation and learn more.