CONTITIONS
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Nerve Disorders
Do you ever wake up at night with your hand numb …
Cysts
When is a bump on your hand or finger just a bump, …
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
De Quervain’s is a painful tendon condition …
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren’s Contracture is an inherited disorder …
Elbow Disorders
Painful conditions about the elbow can make it …
Hand and Wrist Fractures
The hand and wrist are very unique and …
Hand Arthritis
There are many types of arthritis that can cause …
Lower Extremity Trauma
Dr. Larson’s training at The Carolinas Medical …
Pediatric Injuries
Children are not simply young adults. The growing …
Shoulder Arthritis
Arthritis may be due to several reasons, such as …
Tendon Repair In The Fingers and Hand
Injuries both small and large can injure the …
Thumb Arthritis
There are many types of arthritis that can cause …
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger, also known as “stenosing …
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CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME AND NERVE DISORDERS
Do you ever wake up at night with your hand numb or asleep? Does driving, or even holding your iPad or tablet cause your hand or your arm to burn or tingle? You may have carpal tunnel syndrome or another nerve condition in your arm.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when a large nerve, the Median Nerve, becomes pinched and compressed upon entering your wrist. This can happen to almost anyone – men or women, young or old, active or maybe not so active.
Of course, not all numbness in the hand is from carpal tunnel syndrome. Other nerve disorders, such as cubital tunnel syndrome, cervical pinched nerves, thoracic outlet syndrome, diabetes, and many other conditions may be occurring. These symptoms should not be ignored over time, but should be discussed with your doctor so they may be treated effectively.
If you experience frequent symptoms of burning or numbness in your fingers, hand, or arm, please call Timothy B. Larson, MD at 940-299-HAND to schedule your consultation.
CYSTS
When is a bump on your hand or finger just a bump, and when is it more? Ganglion cysts are simple, fluid filled sacs commonly found on both the front and back of the wrist, around the last knuckle of the fingers, or at the base of the fingers on the palm side. These may be associated due to a minor trauma, nearby joint arthritis, or sometimes the reason is unknown.
Many of these can be treated with non-surgical therapy, including rest, anti- inflammatory medications, or aspirating the fluid. Dr. Timothy Larson, MD uses ultrasound imaging to guide the needle into the cyst to ensure proper placement and to minimize discomfort. Surgery does remain the most effective way to eliminate the cyst permanently.
Not all lumps and bumps are simple or benign, and if you have questions about your hand or wrist, please call Timothy B. Larson, MD at 940-299-HAND to schedule your consultation.
DE QUERVAIN’S TENOSYNOVITIS
De Quervain’s is a painful tendon condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Typically, there are two tendons that attach to the thumb that must pass through a confined tunnel on their way back to the forearm. Inflammation or injury to this area can cause severe pain with wrist motion, especially radial or ulnar deviation.
To treat De Quervain’s, usually one or more treatment modalities is helpful. These include corticosteroid injections, therapy, bracing, and anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS). Non-surgical treatment is usually safe and effective, but for certain people whose pain persists, surgery may become necessary.
If you have pain along the radial side of your wrist or have been told you have De Quervain’s tenosynovitis by your health care provider, please call Dr. Timothy B. Larson, MD at
940-299-HAND to help get your wrist pain resolved and get you back in action!
DUPUYTREN’S CONTRACTURE
Dupuytren’s Contracture is an inherited disorder of the collagen fibers that make up the structure to our hand. Over time, the fingers or thumb of the hand may be drawn into the palm, unable to be fully extended. While usually pain-free, this can cause dysfunction to the hand, and make it difficult to put the hand flat on a surface, or get your fingers into a glove.
Fortunately, there are several ways to address Dupuytren’s Contracture, including monitoring the hand, surgery, percutaneous procedures, and Xiaflex injections. The method of treatment will be chosen by the patient and the surgeon, and selected to best fit the patient’s desire and need.
If you would like to know more about Dupuytren’s Contracture and the different treatment options available to you, please call Timothy B. Larson, MD at 940-299-HAND to schedule your consultation.
For more information on Xiaflex, please refer to xiaflex.com.
ELBOW DISORDERS
Painful conditions about the elbow can make it difficult to use the entire arm, whether we are trying to lift heavy objects or paint with fine brush strokes. Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, isn’t just limited to tennis players, and can severely affect our grip strength and hand function. A variety of other elbow conditions, including arthritis, radial tunnel syndrome, biceps tendonitis or tears, golfer’s elbow, and many others can be treated and allow you to resume your life’s activities, whatever they may be.
If your elbow pain is interfering with your work or play, please call Timothy B. Larson, MD at 940-299-HAND to schedule your consultation.
HAND AND WRIST FRACTURES
The hand and wrist are very unique and high-functioning parts of our body. Broken bones, or fractures, can cause a lot of disruption to our lives, even if only minimal treatment is required. Some fractures, such as a wrist fracture that occurred from a simple fall onto an outstretched hand, can indicate weakening of the skeleton or osteoporosis.
Surgery may be indicated when the fracture is displaced, or shifted, or involve nearby joints. Often, surgery can help expedite recovery, and allow less dependence on casts or splints, helping us regain function and perform all of the wonderful activities that our hands let us do. Some fractures require percutaneous fixation and insertion of wires, while other surgeries require incisions and direct fixation of the bone. Some injuries may have happened in the past and may require bone grafting and more technical procedures. Dr. Timothy Larson, an orthopedic surgeon with fellowship-developed skill in hand and upper extremity procedures, is well trained to help your hand and wrist fracture.
If you have concerns about a hand or wrist fracture, please call Timothy B. Larson, MD at 940-299-HAND to schedule your consultation.
HAND ARTHRITIS
There are many types of arthritis that can cause pain and loss of ability to the fingers, thumb, hand, and wrist. Osteoarthritis, sometimes referred to as degenerative arthritis, as well as Rheumatoid Arthritis and other less common conditions can all be treated with medicines, therapy, or surgery.
Arthritis in the fingers can sometimes require joint replacement, where the two opposing joint surfaces are replaced, or a fusion (arthrodesis) procedure, when the joint surfaces are removed and the bones are fused together. Treatment is tailored to the location and desired use of the afflicted body part.
The thumb carpometacarpal joint, or CMC joint, is a very common place for arthritis to occur, especially in women. Debilitating joint pain at the thumb can also be managed quite successfully with non-operative methods, but fortunately there are surgical procedures to help treat those thumbs that cannot.
Dr. Larson performs surgery for CMC arthritis of the thumb by removing a small bone at the base of the thumb, the Trapezium, and then using either the patient’s own tendon or a medical device to support the thumb. These procedures are both excellent are treating pain and restoring thumb function.
Finally, wrist arthritis can occur as a result of trauma, gout or other diseases, or as part of osteoarthritis and rheumatism. When needed, these and other wrist conditions can be treated with a variety of surgical considerations, each tailored to the patient’s specific pattern of arthritis and desired uses of the wrist. Partial or complete wrist fusions, wrist joint replacement, or select removal of offending bones are all surgical options Dr. Timothy Larson has received specialty orthopedic hand fellowship training with, and performs routinely.
If you have concerns about hand arthritis, please call Timothy B. Larson, MD at 940-299-HAND to schedule your consultation.
LOWER EXTREMITY TRAUMA
Dr. Larson’s training at The Carolinas Medical Center, in Charlotte, NC - one of the country’s premier orthopedic residency training programs - has well prepared him for traumatic injuries to the lower extremity as well. Since coming to Denton, Dr. Dr. Larson consistently treats a variety of lower extremity conditions and takes general orthopedic call at Presbyterian Hospital in Denton, TX.
Hip fractures, which come in many different varieties, as well as long bone fractures to the femur (thigh bone) or the tibia or fibula (bones in the lower leg), and ankle fractures unfortunately are quite common. Proper treatment of these conditions requires skill, knowledge, and often a team approach to get patients the care they deserve so they can get back on their feet.
For more information, please contact Dr. Timothy B. Larson, MD at 940-299-HAND.
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