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Trigger Finger

Basically, stenosing tenosynovitis, or trigger finger/trigger thumb, occurs when a finger or thumb gets stuck in the bent position. When it becomes unstuck, it will pop out, much like releasing a trigger. It involves the tendons in the hand that bend the finger. You can think of these tendons as a pulley system, with “ropes” connecting the muscles of the forearm to the bones of the fingers and thumb. Sometimes, the pulley at the base of the finger can become too thick and constricting. This inhibits a free moving pulley system, causing the finger to get stuck and snap back out when unstuck. The cycle can cause inflammation and pain, and the finger can sometimes be very difficult to straighten or bend.

What Causes Trigger Finger?

Several factors can influence the onset of trigger finger, although, the exact cause is not completely known. It is sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis, gout and diabetes. On occasion, local trauma to the area can also bring on trigger finger.

Symptoms and Treatment of Trigger Finger

Symptoms of trigger finger may include:

When treating trigger finger, a hand doctor at Atlanta Hand Specialist will try to eliminate the catching of the finger and attempt to allow full movement of the finger or thumb without discomfort. This may mean wearing a splint or taking an anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation in the area. Your doctor may also advise you to change activities in order to reduce any further swelling. Surgery is only recommended if other, non-invasive treatments do not work.

If you believe that you are suffering from trigger finger, it is important to seek treatment with the Atlanta Hand Specialists as soon as possible to alleviate any further pain or injury. Call (770) 333-7888 to schedule your appointment today.

Joint Surgeons Offer Treatment for a Number of Joint Disorders

Find Experienced Joint Surgeons in Atlanta at Atlanta Hand Specialist

Joint surgeons are doctors who have years of specialized training and experience treating the conditions that affect the joints. These painful conditions can affect the wrist, fingers, elbow or other joints, and only experienced joint surgeons can provide the treatment that allows patients to make a complete and comprehensive recovery.

One of Atlanta’s expert joint surgeons is Dr. Viralkumar Patel, who practices at Atlanta Hand Specialist. He and his team of experienced staff members are dedicated to providing high quality patient care for a variety of common joint conditions, including:

Patients who suffer injuries to the joints of the hand, wrist, or elbow can benefit from the treatment skilled joint surgeons can provide. This treatment can allow patients to heal and regain full mobility in their joints. Because they are so skilled, joint surgeons like Dr. Patel are in high demand, so patients seeking treatment should schedule their appointment as soon as possible.

To learn more about the joint surgeons practicing medicine at Atlanta Hand Specialist, please visit the website online at http://atlantahandspecialist.com or call the office at (770) 333-7888 to speak to a friendly and professional staff member about scheduling an appointment with one of Atlanta’s premier joint surgeons today.

Thumb Sprain

Specifically, a thumb sprain is an injury to the ligament that connects the bone to the joint. They are most common in falls and injuries associated with sports. When injured in a fall or a sport, the thumb could be bent beyond its normal position, causing a sprain. There will generally be swelling, pain and bruising at the affected area.

Common Thumb Sprains

There are two ligaments that are commonly injured in a thumb sprain. These are the radial collateral ligament and the ulnar collateral ligament. The ulnar collateral ligament, located on the medial side of the thumb, is the more commonly injured one, and is sometimes referred to as “skier’s thumb” because it is seen in a lot of skiing injuries. The radial collateral ligament, the ligament on the lateral side of the thumb, can also be injured, but is much less common.

Treatment for Thumb Sprains

When you have a thumb sprain, one of the trained physicians at Atlanta Hand Specialist will take an x-ray of the sprained thumb to ensure that no bones of the hand or thumb are fractured. He or she will then examine the thumb to determine the severity of the sprain. Both ulnar and radial collateral ligament sprains are commonly treated with a cast or splint.

If you suffer from any chronic or associated injuries, your doctor may suggest addition surgeries such as reconstruction of the ligament. If you believe that you are suffering from a thumb sprain, it is very important to seek treatment. Please contact Atlanta Hand Specialists at (770) 333-7888 to schedule your appointment today.

Hand Surgery in Atlanta Ideal for a Number of Hand Conditions & Disorders

Find Quality Hand Surgery in Atlanta at Atlanta Hand Specialist

The hands are crucial to daily life, and when painful diseases, disorders or injuries affect the hands, a patient’s quality of life may decrease. Hand surgery in Atlanta is necessary in some cases to relieve pain and discomfort caused by these conditions.

Hand surgery in Atlanta can provide relief for a wide variety of common conditions that affect the hands, such as:

Dr. Viralkumar Patel is an expert hand doctor practicing hand surgery in Atlanta at Atlanta Hand Specialist. He and his team perform skillful hand surgery in Atlanta that can provide patients with a complete and comprehensive recovery from painful conditions and disorders.

Patients who meet with Dr. Patel and his team know they will receive the highest quality hand surgery in Atlanta, as well as knowledgeable, friendly care and treatment services.

To learn more about hand surgery in Atlanta and how it can help relieve pain and discomfort in the hands, please visit the Atlanta Hand Specialist website online athttp://atlantahandspecialist.com, or call the office directly at (770) 333-7888 to schedule your appointment today.

Do you Need Hand Surgery in Smyrna, Georgia?

Make your appointment with Dr. Patel at Atlanta Hand Specialist.

Are you suffering from chronic hand, wrist or elbow pain? Hand surgery in Smyrna, Georgia may provide the relief you need. Atlanta Hand Specialist’s own Dr. Patel is a board certified general surgeon with certification in the sub-specialty of surgery of the hand General surgeon as well as a fellowship-trained hand surgeon. He has the knowledge and experience necessary to treat many common conditions that affect the hands and upper extremities.

Dr. Patel and his team will carefully evaluate your condition to determine if hand surgery in Smyrna, Georgia is right for you. He has years of experience performing:

At Atlanta Hand Specialist, we understand that the use of your hands is for performing everyday activities. Chronic pain can make even simple tasks impossible to complete. Yet with successful hand surgery in Smyrna, Georgia, you can get back to things you love without all the pain.

In addition to hand surgery in Smyrna, Georgia, Dr. Patel focuses on aftercare to facilitate a complete a successful recover. He takes a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, which will allow you to regain use of your hands more quickly than you thought possible.

Many patients have already successfully recovered from hand surgery in Smyrna, Georgia with amazing results. Read our testimonials about:

You don’t have to continue living with pain. Find out if hand surgery in Smyrna, Georgia can provide the relief you need. Call Atlanta Hand Specialist at 770-333-7888, and make your appointment with Dr. Patel today.

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

This is a condition that involves the tendons that attach to the bone on the outside of the elbow. The muscle associated with tennis elbow, the extensor carpi radialis brevis, helps to extend and abduct the wrist. A specific tendon attaches this muscle to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus bone. When a patient suffers from lateral epicondylitis, there has been degeneration of this tendon, which in turn weakens the anchor site. This places a great deal of stress on the area. Pain during activities where this muscle is often used, lifting, gripping and /or grasping, generally follows.

What Causes Tennis Elbow and Who Gets It?

Overuse of the muscle that places additional stress on the tendon attachments can cause tennis elbow, as well as a direct trauma to the area. Either of these activities can damage the tendon.

People between the ages of 30 and 50 years old are commonly the most affected; however it can occur in older or younger patients as well.

Symptoms and Treatment

The most common symptom is associated pain in the area. The area is tender to the touch and pain is produced in any activity where the muscle is used. The pain starts at the elbow and may travel down the arm into the hand.

If you are suffering from Tennis Elbow, Dr. Patel will give you a thorough examination of the affected arm. He may suggest limited activity and modifying certain movements, an anti-inflammatory medication, a brace, or physical therapy. Surgery is generally not suggested unless the pain is non-responsive to less invasive measures.

If you believe that you have lateral epicondylitis, it is important to seek treatment with the Atlanta Hand Specialists as soon as possible to alleviate any further pain or injury. Call (770) 333-7888 to schedule your appointment today.

Our Smyrna Hand Surgeon Provides the Relief You Need

Make an appointment with Dr. Patel at Atlanta Hand Specialist!

Is chronic hand, wrist or arm pain interfering with your life? Our Smyrna hand surgeon, Dr. Patel, can provide the relief you need. At Atlanta Hand Specialist, we understand that your hands are essential to performing everyday tasks. Chronic pain can make even simple tasks difficult, if not impossible to complete.

During your first appointment with our Smyrna hand surgeon, Dr. Patel will carefully evaluate your hand, wrist, arm and elbow to discover the cause of your pain. He then takes an interdisciplinary approach to treatment, which will allow for your complete and rapid recovery.

Our skilled Smyrna hand surgeon at Atlanta Hand Specialist has years of experience treating common conditions that affect that hands and upper extremities. You can turn to:

Dr. Patel is a fellowship-trained Smyrna hand surgeon as well as a board certified general surgeon with certification in the sub-specialty of surgery of the hand General Surgeon. He and his team at Atlanta Hand Specialist work together to ensure complete recovery from conditions like:

Systemic Disease

Systemic Disease affects a number of tissues that work together to perform a common function. Since your hands contain a multitude of different types of tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, bones, nerves, etc, they are sometimes the first to show signs of disease in other parts of your body. You may notice changes in your hands before the systemic disease is even detected.

What Symptoms Present Themselves In the Hands?

There are several conditions that affect the hands which could indicate a larger problem. It is highly important to call The Atlanta Hand Specialist and make an appointment with Dr. Patel if you experience any of the following conditions.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon – The fingers will turn a blueish-purple discoloration and display a coolness. This is due to a temporary spasm of the arteries in the fingers. This could indicate rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, scleroderma and other diseases. If it becomes severe, ulcers may become present on the fingertips.

Clubbed Nails – The fingers may take on a club-like appearance, indicative of some heart and lung diseases.

Buerger’s Disease – Buerger’s Disease is a disease of the blood vessels. It affects the small arteries and the blood supply to the extremities. Ulcerations or even gangrene can appear.

Rheumatoid Arthritis – This generally causes destruction of the joints, ligaments and tendons. The inability to straighten the fingers may be one of the first signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Gout – Gout is a disease of the uric acid metabolism and can cause severe bone changes beneath the skin can lead to finger deformity. A yellowish-white nodule may form, as well as extremely thin skin on the fingers. If drainage occurs, some tend to mistake it for an infection.

Diabetes – Diabetes may cause changes to the tendons and ligament tissue as well as affect circulation to the area. This disease of the endocrine system (your hormones) is a known cause of “trigger finger” where the finger may be temporarily locked in the trigger position.

Liver and Kidney Disease – These diseases can cause changes to the skin and nails, such as Terry’s disease. This causes the fingernail bed to turn white and is indicative of liver disease.

Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Patel at The Atlanta Hand Specialist if you think your hands could be showing symptoms of a systematic disease. Dr. Patel can make a diagnosis and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist. Call (770) 333-7888 today to make your appointment.

Find Quality Treatment for Hand and Upper Extremity Conditions

Schedule your appointment with Atlanta Hand Specialist in Smyrna, Georgia

At Atlanta Hand Specialist we can successfully treat a variety of hand and upper extremity conditions. Once we identify your condition, we take an interdisciplinary approach to treatment. This allows us to facilitate a rapid recovery, and allows you to return to a productive lifestyle.

We treat hand and upper extremity conditions in patients of all ages, and every patient receives the utmost care and compassion. Our professional staff is dedicated to making your visit convenient and pleasant, while making every effort possible for your full recovery.

We also utilize the latest and most advanced methods and technology to treat hand and upper extremity conditions. Thanks to the availability of basic radiology, your diagnosis will be prompt, eliminating any delays in preparing your treatment.

If a nerve has been cut or damaged beyond repair, professional staff will surgically remove the damaged section of the nerve and reconnect the healthy nerve ends (nerve repair) or implant a piece of the nerve from another part of your body (nerve graft) to heal the nerve injury.

Some of the many hand and upper extremity conditions we treat include:

During your visit, you will be under the care of Dr. Viralkumar Patel, a board certified general surgeon with certification in the sub-specialty of surgery of the hand general surgeon and fellowship-trained hand surgeon. Dr. Patel has dedicated his practice to the treatment and diagnosis of hand and upper extremity conditions in patients of all ages.

At Atlanta Hand Specialist, we know how debilitating hand and upper extremity conditions can be. Chronic pain and limited function can make everyday tasks difficult, if not impossible. We’re here to let you know that you don’t have to continue living with the pain. We can help.

To learn more about Atlanta Hand Specialist can treat hand and upper extremity conditions, please call (770) 333-7888 or contact us online.

Stiffness In Hands

The joints in your hand are covered by a smooth layer of articular cartilage and are held together by tough ligaments. These structures promote motion as well as stabilize the joints of the hand. They keep the hand from bending back too far (hyper-extension) and from side to side stress on the fingers. So, what does it mean when your hands begin to stiffen? There are various conditions that can cause these structures to become stiff and painful.

Conditions such as:

All of these conditions can cause the geometry of the hand to alter, resulting in thicker, less elastic ligaments as well as loss of mobility and limited motion. This leads to stiffness in the hands.

Treatment and Diagnosis

When you come see Dr. Patel at Atlanta Hand Specialists, he will give you a full evaluation of the hand as well as ask you important questions about prior treatment, injuries and the extent of stiffness in the affected hand. He will perform a careful examination to determine your range of motion, affected mobility, swelling and present tenderness of the hand. He will likely X-ray the hand to assess any conditions such as fractures or arthritis.

Treatment can be as minor as stretching exercises or as involved as surgery, depending on the severity of the underlying condition. It may be necessary to splint the hand or fingers to stretch tightened joints. It is highly important that you seek treatment from a specialized hand surgeon like Dr. Patel.

If you have any questions or are experiencing hand discomfort due to stiffness in the hands, please contact the Atlanta Hand Specialist (770) 333-7888 to schedule your appointment today.

 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Do you have pressure on your wrists? Many people have symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome without knowing it. Find out how the condition is caused and what treatment you’ll receive from Atlanta Hand Specialists for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

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Wrist & Hand Fracture

If you have shooting pain in your hand or wrist, you may have a wrist or hand fracture. Fracturing, or breaking, the bones in the wrist or hand is extremely easy because of their size and structure. Read on to learn how wrist and hand fractures are treated by Dr. Patel and the Atlanta Hand Specialists.

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Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is caused by stressing the tendons and getting your thumb or finger stuck in the bent position. Inflammation and localized pressure are common signs for trigger finger. Seek treatment from the Atlanta Hand Specialists about trigger finger and your treatment options available.

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Ganglion Cyst

Tender lumps found on the hand or wrist can be a cyst. Ganglion Cysts are commonly filled with fluid, and form because of tendon or joint irritation. Find out more about how Ganglion Cysts are treated by the specialists at Atlanta Hand Specialist.

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More Common Conditions

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