John Dowdle, MD,  orthopedic surgeon at HSS discusses innovations in hand and wrist treatment with the Greenwich Sentinel. 

One of the most interesting aspects of being a hand and wrist specialist at HSS is how many different conditions we treat. These ailments include arthritic or degenerative conditions, traumatic injuries such as fractures and lacerations, repetitive use disorders, and even tumors. Hand surgery combines orthopedic, plastic, and neurosurgical techniques.

In the past, patients accepted certain hand pain and conditions as part of daily life. We encounter patients with arthritis who tell us there’s likely nothing that can be done to help them, but we can do a lot to improve their conditions. As patients become more aware of their ailments and how to address them, they come to us for treatment.

The causes of hand conditions are many: hereditary or congenital factors; degenerative such as arthritis; traumatic events such as falls, fractures or lacerations; and overuse or repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.

Another factor is greater specialization in sports, especially at the youth level. When I was growing up, playing different sports during the year allowed an athlete to develop a range of muscle groups and flexibilities. There’s greater concentration by athletes now on a single sport year-round which can quickly lead to overuse injuries.

Read the full article at greenwichsentinel.com.