n motion Hand & Physical Therapy

Common Shoulder Problems

2011-05-24T05:36:00.000-07:00

Impingement: Impingement is caused by excessive rubbing of the shoulder muscles against the top part of the shoulder blade, called the acromion and is common in activities that require repeated overhead motion.

Rotator Cuff Injury: As discussed in last months newsletter the Rotator Cuff is a group of muscles that help to stabilize the shoulder. These muscles are susceptible to strains, inflammation and even tears.

Tendonitis: Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon, the end of the muscle that attaches to the bone.

Bursitis: Bursitis is an inflammation of a bursa, a fluid filled sac that provides a cushion between bones and tendons.

This may be mumbo jumbo for you, however, if you are suffering from shoulder pain or inflammation do not delay medical care as it could eventually lead to a more serious injury.

As Physical Therapists we are trained to assess the shoulder complex, determine the cause of the dysfunction and develop a treatment plan based on the limitations whether due to muscle imbalances, posture or overuse.

Stay tuned for Tips to a healthy shoulder

Proper Preperation for any Athletic Performance

2010-03-13T07:02:00.000-08:00

Are you stretching or warming up properly? Blog article coming soon, stay tuned!

AVOIDING HOLIDAY HAZZARDS

2009-11-21T08:04:00.000-08:00

Does the thought of a Thanksgiving turkey or pecan pie being pulled out of the oven send your salivary glands into an automatic Pavlovian response? Well, not so fast...according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission approximately 6,200 people are injured each year in non highway related injuries during the holidays. So as you prepare for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, here are just a couple of safety tips to keep you "n motion" in the New Year.

Avoid back injury and strains by using proper body mechanics when lifting Christmas Trees, heavy dishes and gifts. (see http://www.onlinespineschool.com/ for proper lifting techniques)
Avoid traumatic injury from falls by being aware of ladder placement when hanging lights and other decorations. It’s also recommended to have someone else present when dealing with heights.
Avoid lacerations and amputations by using recommended protective gear i.e. goggles, gloves, and circular saw guards when putting together or making gifts.

Though helping people work through injury and returning to meaningful lives is our business, we prefer our "n motion" family stay safe at all times especially the holidays. Hope to hear from you all soon! Happy Holidays!!!

CELL PHONE ELBOW? More technology more problems

2009-09-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

Cell Phone Elbow, Hmmm…Is this another catchy term coined to feed into what I think is our cultures fascination with new names for the same old stuff? So now let’s add cell phone elbow to our jumbled list of tennis elbows, golfer’s elbows and washer woman’s sprains. How many people do you know who have “tennis elbow” but never played a day of tennis? Cell phone elbow is defined as numbness and tingling of the ring and pinkie fingers caused by nerve damage or impingement from keeping the elbow bent too tightly for too long. According to CNN.com, when cell phone users hold their phones too their ears, they stretch a nerve that extends underneath the funny bone and controls the smallest fingers. When talkers chat for a long time in that position, it “chokes the blood supply to the nerves. It makes the nerves short-circuit. The next thing you know, there’s a tingling in the ring and small finger,” said Dr. Peter J. Evans, the Director of the Hand and Upper Extremity Center at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

The more traditional medical term for “Cell Phone Elbow” is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. There are many other causes of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome besides prolonged cell phone use including:

Direct trauma to the back of the elbow
Sleeping with elbows in a flexed posture
Congenital Deformity (Birth Defects)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tumors
Poor positioning during surgeries
Diabetes
Chronic Alcoholism
Renal Disease

The most common symptom for “Cell Phone Elbow” or Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is numbness and tingling in the ring and small fingers, individuals may also experience sharp or aching pain on the inside of the elbow, radiating pain, weakness and loss of dexterity, and atrophy (muscle loss) of the muscles of the hand with clawing of the ring and little fingers.

The first strategy would be to discontinue the activity that is causing the symptoms. For example, if this is occurring while using a cell phone immediately change hands, consider using an earpiece or use my favorite form of communication send a text message at the first sign of numbness and tingling in the digits..:)..LOL. Conservative treatments for more involved cases of “Cell Phone Elbow” or Cubital Tunnel Syndrome include:

Education regarding sleep positions and protection of nerves from the edges of furniture or other hard surfaces.
Wearing elbow pads
Splinting at 45 degrees to rest inflamed nerve
Modalities such as ultrasound and iontophoresis
Ergonomic modifications
Anti-inflammatory as prescribed by your physician
Nerve gliding exercises to avoid nerve entrapments or adhesions

Occasionally, Cubital Syndrome or “Cell Phone Elbow” can become so bad that conservative treatments are ineffective. In these cases surgery may be required to relieve symptoms. Surgical Interventions include:

Nerve Decompression
Epicondylectomy - Removal of the medial epicondyle
Transposition - Surgically moving the nerve from the place of entrapment

The key to avoiding long-term deficits from Cell Phone Elbow better known as Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is paying attention to your body. If you notice numbness or tingling of your ring finger or small finger or pain at your elbow, immediately change positions. If symptoms persist longer than an hour or two and reoccur frequently consult a physician immediately before symptoms worsen.

What Is Carpal Tunnel?

2009-09-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

Millions of people are impacted by the negative effects of carpal tunnel syndrome each year. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes pain, numbness, clumsiness and weakness. These symptoms make the important things in our lives such as work and leisure activities very difficult. Whether carpal tunnel syndrome is impacting your work or leisure it can be managed effectively.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is usually caused by the constriction of the median nerve of the hand at the base of the palm. The median nerve is responsible for providing sensation to the palmar surface of the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger. The constriction of this nerve is what causes the pain and numbness associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

The most common causes of carpal tunnel syndrome are:

Static positioning of the wrist without stretching
Poor office and computer station set-ups (ergonomics)
Repetitive use without rest and stretching
Poor sleeping postures
Pregnancy

Common treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:

Splinting in a neutral position to decompress carpal tunnel area and increase blood flow
Anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs and/or Cortisone injection) as prescribed by your physician
Home exercises, including nerve gliding exercises, as instructed by a Certified Hand Therapist
Ergonomic evaluation and consultation
Various modalities including, but not limited to heat, paraffin, ultrasound and iontophoresis
Gentle strengthening exercises

If you begin to experience carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, it's important you address it early by scheduling an appointment with your physician. Delayed treatment can lead to chronic carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle wasting and hand debilitation.

Please feel free to contact us @ 770-475-7272 if you have further questions about carpal tunnel syndrome.