Getting a Grip on Wrist and Elbow Problems
Pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in your hand or fingers could be a sign of either carpal tunnel syndrome or its lesserknown cousin, cubital tunnel syndrome. Both conditions occur when a nerve is compressed, either the median nerve at the wrist( in the carpal tunnel) or the ulnar nerve at the elbow( in the cubital tunnel).
With carpal tunnel syndrome, you’ ll feel symptoms in your thumb, index and middle fingers, and part of your ring finger; with cubital tunnel syndrome, you’ ll feel symptoms in your pinky and part of your ring finger, explains Matthew Nevitt, MD, an orthopedic hand surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano.
Some people are more prone to these conditions simply because of the natural shape of their wrists or elbows. Also, activities that involve repetitive or awkward motions— like working on an assembly line, typing, or holding a phone to the ear for long stretches— can make things worse.
For people experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome, braces, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching exercises and corticosteroid injections can provide relief. If they don’ t, surgery is an option.
The Case for a Partial Knee Replacement
For some people with arthritis in their knee, a partial knee replacement can ease pain.
Khalid Yousuf, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano, outlines some of the potential benefits of partial knee replacement compared with full knee replacement:
• It’ s a less invasive surgical procedure, so recovery usually is faster and less painful.
• Because the ligaments stay in place, the knee feels more natural.
• Range of motion is improved. Partial knee replacement is not for everyone, however, Dr. Yousuf says. Good candidates need healthy ligaments, and the arthritis needs to be limited to one of the three compartments in the knee. Otherwise, a full knee replacement may be advised.
Dr. Yousuf notes that partial knee replacements have shown similar durability and survivorship as full knee replacements.“ It’ s a common myth that a partial knee replacement is a stepping stone to a full knee replacement, but that’ s not the case,” he says.
The replacement joints can last about 30 years, so ideal candidates are in their 60s. But, Dr. Yousuf says, partial knee replacements can be performed on people in their 40s.
Orthopedic Care Where You Are
Visit BSWHealth. com / Ortho to register for the Feb. 20 joint pain class at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano. Or call 1.844. BSWDOCS for a referral to an orthopedic joint specialist on the medical staff.
Photographs may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. The material in In Motion is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’ s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health. If you are receiving multiple copies, need to change your mailing address or do not wish to receive this publication, please send your mailing label( s) and the updated information to Robin Vogel, Baylor Health Care System, 2001 Bryan St., Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75201, or email the information to robinv @ baylorhealth. edu. © 2018 Baylor Scott & White Health. BSWORTHO _ 99 _ 2018 _ FBC
4 In Motion | Winter 2018 Visit us at BSWHealth. com / Ortho