Condition Lookup
Category:
Other Orthopedic Conditions
Number of Conditions: 5
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology
Category: Other Orthopedic Conditions
Symptoms:
numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger; hand weakness; difficulty gripping objects; pain in the wrist and hand, especially at night
Root Cause:
Compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, often due to repetitive motions, wrist positioning, or inflammation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical exam, Tinel’s sign, Phalen’s maneuver, nerve conduction studies (NCS), and electromyography (EMG).
Treatment:
Activity modification, wrist splinting, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or surgery to release the carpal tunnel.
Medications:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen ) for pain and inflammation; corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling and pressure on the median nerve.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 4-10 million people in the U.S.; more common in women and individuals aged 40-60.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Repetitive hand/wrist motions, prolonged wrist flexion/extension, obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, or trauma to the wrist.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with appropriate treatment; mild cases may resolve with conservative management, while severe cases may require surgery with high success rates.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent nerve damage, loss of hand strength, chronic pain, and reduced ability to perform fine motor tasks if untreated.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology
Category: Other Orthopedic Conditions
Symptoms:
pain on the thumb side of the wrist; swelling near the base of the thumb; difficulty grasping or pinching; worsened pain with thumb or wrist movements
Root Cause:
Inflammation or irritation of the tendons in the first dorsal compartment of the wrist (abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, positive Finkelstein’s test, and ruling out other causes of wrist pain.
Treatment:
Rest, activity modification, splinting, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or surgery for severe cases.
Medications:
NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen , naproxen ) for pain and inflammation; corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation in the tendon sheath.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in individuals aged 30-50, more prevalent in women and new mothers (often referred to as "mommy thumb").
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Repetitive thumb or wrist movements, overuse, pregnancy, postpartum hormonal changes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with conservative treatment; most cases resolve completely, though severe cases may require surgery.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, limited thumb or wrist motion, and tendon rupture if untreated.
Plantar Fasciitis
Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology
Category: Other Orthopedic Conditions
Symptoms:
heel pain, especially in the morning or after prolonged rest; pain worsens with prolonged standing or activity; tenderness along the bottom of the foot
Root Cause:
Microtears and inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical exam (tenderness and pain upon palpation of the plantar fascia), and imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI) if necessary.
Treatment:
Rest, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotics, night splints, shockwave therapy, or corticosteroid injections in severe cases.
Medications:
NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen , naproxen ) for pain relief and inflammation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives; common in adults aged 40-60.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Obesity, prolonged standing, high-impact activities, tight calf muscles, improper footwear, and flat feet or high arches.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with conservative treatment; most cases resolve within 6-12 months, though recurrence is possible.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, altered gait, and secondary foot or ankle problems if untreated.
Ganglion Cysts
Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology
Category: Other Orthopedic Conditions
Symptoms:
visible lump or swelling on the wrist, hand, or foot; pain or discomfort if the cyst presses on a nerve; reduced range of motion
Root Cause:
Fluid-filled sac that forms near a joint or tendon, often due to joint irritation or degeneration.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, transillumination (light passing through the cyst), and imaging (ultrasound or MRI) if needed.
Treatment:
Observation (if asymptomatic), aspiration (draining the cyst), or surgical removal.
Medications:
No specific medications; corticosteroid injections may reduce inflammation if needed.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common soft tissue mass of the hand and wrist; affects women more than men and commonly occurs in individuals aged 20-40.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Repetitive joint use, previous joint injury, or arthritis in the affected area.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally excellent; recurrence is possible even after treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Pain, nerve compression, and reduced joint mobility.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Specialty: Orthopedics and Rheumatology
Category: Other Orthopedic Conditions
Symptoms:
thickened skin on the palm; formation of nodules or cords in the palm; difficulty straightening fingers; limited hand function
Root Cause:
Abnormal thickening and tightening of the palmar fascia, leading to contractures of the fingers (commonly the ring and little fingers).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination and functional assessment of the hand.
Treatment:
Observation for mild cases, corticosteroid injections, enzymatic injections (collagenase), needle aponeurotomy, or surgical fasciectomy for severe cases.
Medications:
Collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections (enzyme therapy) to break down the cords; corticosteroid injections for inflammation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 3-6% of the population, most common in men over 50 of Northern European descent.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, and age over 50.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive condition; mild cases may remain stable, while severe cases may require surgery, which can improve function but may not completely resolve the condition.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence after treatment, reduced hand function, and stiffness or scarring post-surgery.