Category Archives: Hand Therapy

Hand Injuries and Disorders

Hand is a very important organ of the body. Disorders affecting the hand could lead to loss of hand function in various forms and degrees. Thumb itself accounts for over 40 percent function of the hand. It is imperative that the problems affecting the hand should be diagnosed and managed correctly. The following are the various disorders affecting the hand.

 Hand problems include:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome - compression of a nerve as it goes through the wrist, often making your fingers feel numb
  • Injuries that result in fractures (broken bones), ruptured ligaments and dislocations
  • Osteoarthritis - wear-and-tear arthritis, which can also cause deformity
  • Tendinitis - irritation of the tendons
  • Disorders and injuries of your fingers and thumb

 

CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE HAND:

Some of the important congenital anomalies of the hand are:

Polydactyly: It is a duplication of one or more digits and may require amputation for cosmetic purposes.

Syndactyly: This is fusion of digits and usually occurs between the middle and ring fingers and is 3 times more common in males.The fusion may be only in the skin or all the structures. In the latter case, surgery is done early at 18 months age and in the less severe former case, surgery is done after 5 years.

Macrodactyly: This is a rare congenital anomaly and is characterized by enlargement of all structures especially of the nerves of a single or more digits. It is often associated with neurofibromatosis, lymph-angioma, arteriovenous malformation, etc.

Congenital trigger digits: Thumb is more commonly involved. It is frequently bilateral and is due to flexion contracture of the distal joint of the thumb. More than 30 percent of these cases resolve after first year and the remaining may require surgical release after 2 years of age.

Streeter’s dysplasia: This is a syndrome of congenital constrictions, which may affect any part of the body. In the hand, it may range from simple constriction to congenital amputation. To prevent distal circulatory compromise, it frequently requires surgical release by Z-plasty.

Camptodactyly: This is a flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint especially of the little finger. It may rarely be seen in other fingers too. Severe deformity in older patients requires tendon lengthening procedures. Clinicodactyly is angulation of the finger in radioulnar direction. Mild clinicodactyly is seen in normal children, while the severe ones are associated with mental retardation.

Cleft hand (also called Lobster claw hand): This is frequently bilateral and is associated with cleft foot, cleft lip, cleft palate, etc. There are two varieties: in the first type, a deep palmar cleft separates the two central metacarpals; and in the second type, the central rays are absent .Both the varieties require surgical excision and Z- plasty.

Mirror Hand (reduplication of ulna): Here the ulna and carpus are reduplicated and there may be seven or eight fingers with no thumb. Pollicisation of a finger solves the problem of the absent thumb.

Congenital absence of radius or ulna:  Congenital absence of radius is more common than that of ulna. The radius may be completely absent or in parts. The forearm is short, wrist is highly unstable and the hand is deviated radially. It requires complex and difficult surgical corrections. This deformity of radius absence is also called radial club hand and the absence of ulna is called the ulnar club hand.

Kirner’s deformity: This is a spontaneous injuring of the terminal phalanx of the fifth digit. It is a rare disorder and is more often seen in females.

Infections of the Hand

The effects of hand infection can be as devastating as major trauma. Trivial injuries like a scratch, a prick, small punctured wounds, etc. cause hand infections. Staphylococcus aureus (80%) ,Streptococcus pyogenes and gram-negative bacilli are the famous trio who inflict the infective unmitigated disaster in the hand. The sequelae of these infections are edema, abscess, necrosis, fibrosis and lastly contractions leading to a grotesque, debilitating hand. The presence of an abscess seems to send a message to the surgeons, “Drain me I’ll drain Myself! ” Hence, an abscess caused should be drained; the surgeon only has to decide the proper time and incisions. Early use of potent antibiotics has considerably downed the threat of serious hand infections.

Treatment

As elsewhere before we delve into the discussions on individual hand infections, it helps considerably to know the principles of treatment:

  • Hands should be kept elevated to facilitate gravity to drain and thereby prevent edema and swelling of the hand.
  • Following the treatment, the hand needs to be placed in functional position for optimum results.
  • Early and appropriate use of IV antibiotics prevents pus formation (within 24-48 hours).
  • If pus is formed, let it out through proper incisions at the appropriate time.
  • Local anesthetic may help the spread of infection and adds more fluid to the already existing swelling. Hence, general anesthesia or regional block is preferred.
  • Tourniquet is indicated, but exsanguinations are not preferred as it helps spread the infection (alternatively, elevation of hand for three minutes is ideal).
  • Do not forget the all important hand aftercare, which has a direct bearing on the outcome of the hand function.

With the principles of treatment as a backdrop, let us now consider the important hand infections in order of importance.

 

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And How Can We Avoid It?

The bones, ligaments, and the muscles of the wrist are located in such a way that a tunnel is created for the tendons of the forearm muscles and nerves. When the median nerve becomes entrapped or compressed, the signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) become noticeable. When structures such as tendons and nerves are compressed, inflammation becomes apparent. This inflammation is the usual cause of developing CTS. The best way to avoid or manage CTS is to heat and stretch the involved muscles regularly. A general wrist and hand strengthening program can be beneficial to limit possible tendon injury.
Typically, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome come on gradually.  Symptoms usually appear at night and may be present in both hands.

Physical Therapy after Car Accident Whiplash

6 million auto accidents occur in the United States every single year, an astounding 11 accidents every single minute! And what’s more, close to half of them are rear end collision’s…meaning more often than not its a total surprise. And what word do we hear the most when people complain of pain…well, you guessed it WHIPLASH! What the neck is whiplash you say…well in short when your car gets hit from behind the natural reaction for your body is to do just that, REACT! And one of the most common reaction causes your neck to jerk and extend in a range of motion uncommon to your body…and the pain that’s associated with this is not fun. What’s worse a majority of folks will describe the pain as intensifying and feeling worse the next morning and day. Now you might ask your self the question “self, I can get over a little whiplash”; which actually isn’t entirely incorrect. The human body is an amazing organism that sure does an incredible job at self healing…but the REAL question is how long will it take my body to heal. Often times depending on the severity of the whiplash and collision it could take upwards of 6 weeks or more before youre your real self. Six weeks before you can sleep comfortably at night, six weeks of maybe having the dreaded “stiff neck”, six weeks of having to worry about when you’re going to get back to being pain free! NOT FUN.

Here are a few of the early symptoms our patients have reported to us:

  • PAIN and Stiffness in the head, neck, and shoulders
  • Loss of range of motion in the neck
  • Chronic migraines or headaches
  • Tingling and numbness in the upper extremities
  • Dizziness and Fatigue

At this point you’re probably wondering… is there any good news here?! Rest assured there is…and its simply starting your Physical Therapy treatment ASAP! We have therapists that are experts in auto accident injuries and can help assess the severity of your injury and get you going in a simple rehab program geared towards your treatment goals. The faster you get on top of aching and stiff muscles, the faster your body and life can get back to normal. But its one thing to just say treatment is important, its another thing to tell you why…

1) Patients often don’t realize just how bad their car accident-related injuries are until after they’ve returned to their normal daily activities. Pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and chronic headaches or migraines are just a few of the common injuries our patents will report; so we’re talking about stuff that can turn long term if we’re not careful. Specifically, a combination of therapeutic exercise and manual massage and mobilization techniques are what’s key in improving your flexibility and strength while your body is in the healing phase. In this fast paced world that we live in today, I’m pretty sure laying in bed for a few days in recovery is not an ideal choice for you or anyone else for that matter. So don’t hesitate, take the first step and get into treatment so you can be the real you sooner rather than later!

2) Looking at the prism of healing and recovery through the lens of someone just beginning to recover from an auto accident is truly quite interesting…in that there may not be a vision at all. It makes sense, your’e so engulfed in the present pain and discomfort at hand WHO has the room to worry about the future outlook?!. Well, I can tell you this much…coming from a clinician’s view (my own) it is really telling to note the difference between patients who start treatment right away after a collision and those that delay and start treatment when they may have moved into the chronic phase. And speaking to this chronic phase…that is not where you want to be!. I often times like to compare the human body to that of the vehicle you drive on a daily basis; in that its use on a daily basis requires a level attention and care. A care and attention that if left to neglect can turn a basic oil change that’s several months overdue due to trickle down dysfunction in your cars working engine. An engine that will start to become suspect because of a lack of timely care. Your body isn’t all that different in that a cervical and thoracic strain/sprain which has gone from being acute to chronic due to lack of attention and treatment can oftentimes lead to long-term cervial spine disfunction, postural abnormalities, nerve and orthopedic shoulder impingement, chronic migraines, and more….chronic migraines being one you surely want to have no part of! Just like any broken record you know what I’m going to say…GET INTO TREATMENT! So that you aren’t the one experiencing long term damage from a split second glitch on the road.

3) SURGERY…when you see this word like most people you automatically cringe and think of the worst imaginable situation (probably a scene from a scary movie or a terrorizing account you read on the web or saw on the news). And don’t get me wrong, surgery is not something to get excited about, but if you are reading this article and are in the process of having surgery or have had surgery to address an auto accident injury hope is not all lost! PT is most assuredly a tool that will undoubtedly brighten your future outlook. Along with overall wear and tear that your body endures along with your chronic pain, the goal of surgery is to in theory address your disfunction and bring you to your normal state of function and living pain free or close to that. In reality, in order for this theory to take shape different things must go your way…some you can control and some you can’t. Unfortunately you’re probably not going to be able to control your surgeons hand’s and upper extremities during surgery, or the amount of blood flow traveling to recovering muscles and tendons right after surgery. But what you can control is the start of physical therapy and the effort you put forth towards recovery, which from the perspective of the PT treatment room, is truly an amazing feat to witness. Physical Therapy will help to strengthen vulnerable muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which indirectly work to protect various structures down your functional movement chain.

4) And now comes the time when I need to share this small secret I’ve witness throughout my years treating patients…ready for this nugget? MOVEMENT IS GOOD FOR YOUR BODY!.

Ok, maybe that’s not a huge surprise that’s going to be life changing for you but its true; from both a biological and chemical standpoint, as well as from a mental vantage point as well. Part of many doctor’s orders immediately after an accident is rest…which isn’t entirely a bad thing. It’s just that being bed ridden for a majority of the day early on can open the door for other points of dysfunction like de-conditioning and overall muscular fatigue and stiffness. So Yes! General movement is a good thing. Internally speaking, movement pumps oxygenated blood and other nutrients to the injury site, which in turn helps the body heal from the inside out. Hey and when you move and are incorporated into a therapeutic exercise program that our skilled therapists work tirelessly at developing, you get these interesting chemicals called Endorphins that get released from your brain and into your nervous system. Without getting too technical here, endorphins basically are hormones that directly attach to pain reducing sensors in our nervous system that emit signals changing our perception of pain. So YES exercise helps to decrease our sensation of pain and discomfort! But that’s just half the battle here, as the mental aspect of movement and recovery are just as paramount. Movement in a physical therapy program along with at home treatment and movement progression enables our therapists to help mentally switch your brain from focusing on the pain at hand to the solution at hand. Having a set schedule that you abide by also puts you in a new mode of focus that begins with getting basic movement in therapy to ultimately getting to exercise and movement outside of the clinic with hobbies in sports, activities, and your leisurely activities.

So what’s my advice to you if you’ve read this far?? Take the first step and START YOUR TREATMENT TODAY!! Only then will you be able to see what I’ve been able to share with you here and what other’s have already been able to take advantage of here at ALLIANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY. Contact any one of our 16 locations between northern VA, Washington DC, and Richmond and our scheduling experts will get you in the best spot for you to start your journey. Or, visit the “Request an Appt” tab on the website and we’ll have the same experts reach out to you through the website, email, or Facebook. TAKE THE FIRST STEP!

Contact Alliance Physical Therapy for the expert diagnosis and state of art treatment of your pain and injuries. Our diligent team of physical therapists use patient-proven techniques and state-of-art technologies to make you as healthy and fit as before.

About the author:

Samson Belai

*Samson Belai is a clinician treating at the various Alliance Physical Therapy offices in the N.Virginia region and has spent various coursework and field work in orthopedic and post auto-accident treatment rehab. Licensed since 2010, Samson has been involved in the progress and road to recovery of hundreds of patients in the busy metropolitan and northern Virginia region.

What are Symptoms, Causes and Treatment available to treat Hip Bursitis?

Hip Bursitis physical Therapy Treatment

Hip Trochanteric Bursitis is one of the most common reasons of hip pain. This condition affects both the active and inactive individuals but the condition is more common among the middle-aged women or females.

What do we mean by Hip Trochanteric Bursitis?

Hip Trochanteric Bursitis occurs when the bursa that covers the bony point of hip bone (greater trochanter) becomes irritated or inflamed. This is the most commonly inflamed bursa of the hip joint.

What are the causes of Hip Trochanteric Bursitis?

Hip Trochanteric Bursitis occurs due to the combination several factors including:

  • Repetitive stress-injuries resulting from running, bicycling or standing for long hours.
  • Hip injury
  • Spine diseases like; scoliosis or arthritis of the lumbar spine
  • Inequality in leg-length
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Previous hip surgery or prosthetic implants in the hip
  • Deficiency of Calcium
  • Bone spurs or development of calcium deposits within the tendons
  • Hip muscle tightness or weakness
  • Abnormal hip or knee structure
  • Poor hip or knee mechanics

What are potential symptoms of Hip Trochanteric Bursitis?

The patients suffering from Hip Trochanteric Bursitis may experiences one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Pain and swelling at the affected side of the hip
  • Tenderness on the outside of hip
  • Pain while lying on the affected side
  • Sharp Pain in the hip that changes into a dull ache and travels down the side of leg
  • Pain & stiffness while sitting or walking for prolonged periods
  • Pain while climbing stairs or sitting with legs crossed

How can Physical Therapy help to treat Hip Trochanteric Bursitis?

Physical Therapists typically suggest or prescribe the combination of stretching and strengthening activities to treat the condition and as well to eliminate the pain. Following treatments or strategies may be adopted by your physical therapist to achieve the specific goal:

  • Ice therapy may be used to reduce the inflammation of bursa
  • Electrotherapy or deep-tissue massage technique may be used to reduce pain & irritation.
  • Range of motion exercises are prescribed to restore normal mobility to the back, hip and knee
  • In order to decrease muscular tension, stretching techniques may be applied to the lower body.
  • Hand-on treatments may be used to move your muscles and joints in order to improve their strength & motion
  • Strengthening exercises may be applied to eliminate excessive strain at the trochanter.
  • Your Physical therapist may develop a safe and customized progressive resistance program to strengthen your lower extremity
  • Functional training may be provided to help you to safely transit back to your normal or routine activities
  • Patient education will be provided in order to eliminate the risk of re-injury. You will be educated about safer & controlled body movements

Contact Alliance Physical Therapy for the state-of-art and efficient treatment of any of your musculoskeletal problems or diseases. Our professional and diligent Physical Therapists use patient-proven methods and top-notch techniques to treat your problems and help you to get back to your work as early as possible.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Hand Health Resources considers Cubital Tunnel Syndrome as the second most common nerve entrapment syndrome occurring in the upper body or arm. Increased compression or pressure on the ulnar nerve in the elbow gives rise to this condition. Along with discomfort, this pathology may lead to the loss of hand functioning.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

What do you understand by Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?

Ulnar nerve is a crucial nerve running through your arm and is responsible for sensation and movement of the forearm and hand as well. This Ulnar nerve passes through a tunnel of soft tissues named as ‘cubital tunnel’ that runs under a bony bump at the inner side of your elbow. The syndrome is called ‘cubital tunnel syndrome’ as it results due to the entrapment or irritation of nerve within the confines of cubital tunnel. This condition affects more men than women and the athletic performance of the athletes who are engaged in sports requiring strong hand or wrist movements. The entrapment causes tingling, numbness and pain along the inside of your arm down the ring and little finger.

What causes Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?

Usually, the syndrome occurs when the Ulnar nerve within the constricted enclosure of cubital tunnel is stretched compressed or irritated as there is a very little soft tissue to protect it. Other factors leading to the Cubital Tunnel Syndrome may include:

  • Keeping the elbow bent for longer periods or repeated bending of the elbow
  • Back and forth sliding of the nerve over the medial epicondyle
  • Leaning on your elbow for longer periods of time
  • Fluid build-up in the elbow
  • A direct blow to the inside of the elbow as in the case of sports like; baseball, tennis, rugby, football etc.
  • Athletic activities including repetitive overhead motions like; javelin throw, tennis serve or baseball
  • Failure to warm up  and stretch properly before a sport
  • Elbow fractures, bone spurs, trauma or cysts

What are the treatment options suggested to treat Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome usually responds to Physical Therapy. Initially the therapists advise to modify and avoid the activities, postures and positions causing Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. Other treatment options may include:

  • Therapists will advice to avoid repeated flexion, over leaning and pressurizing the elbow
  • Gentle exercises may be prescribed to ease the ulnar nerve glide through Cubital Tunnel
  • therapist may recommend or customize an elbow splint to keep your arm straight
  • Stretching exercises may be prescribed to achieve full range of motion
  • Therapist may provide a home exercise program and educate you about proper body mechanics
  • Strengthening exercises like; strengthening of muscle groups, bending and straightening of elbow, forearm movement may be prescribed
  • Nerve Gliding exercises may be advised to help the arm and wrist from getting stiff
  • Range of motion exercises may be prescribed to enhance the mobility without causing pain or discomfort
  • Special exercises to help the Ulnar glide and the exercises that mimic your daily and work activities may be prescribed

Contact Alliance Physical Therapy for the state of the art treatment of any of your musculoskeletal injury or problem. Our certified therapists use patient proven methods and develop customize treatment plans according to your needs and urgencies.

 

Alliance Physical Therapy Clinics offer Treatments for Auto- Accident Injuries

 

Auto Injuries Rehab

Auto-Accidents are said to happen every 5 seconds in the United States and these figures continue to rise. Victims of auto-accidents usually suffer from skeletal, muscular, neurological and soft-tissue injuries which are not detectable initially as they do not cause much pain. So the victims ignore them and do not seek professional treatment. This causes the biggest blunder. With auto-accident injuries, immediate and specialized treatment is needed to avoid developing long term discomfort and chronic pain. A pro-active Physical Therapy treatment and Rehabilitation plan can save the victims from surgical interventions and long term reliance on medications as well.

Physical Therapy modalities while conditioning your muscles and bones also help to alleviate pain and relieve the debilitating effects of auto-accident injuries. Vehicular injuries often develop the symptoms like; back pain, whiplash, fatigue, headache, muscle-spasms, nausea, neck pain, tendinitis, shoulder pain, problems with vision, dizziness etc. Physical Therapists are experts at diagnosing, evaluating and treating these injuries. They re-align your vertebrae and help to restore your lost structural balance and treat soft tissue injuries with customized rehabilitation program.

Various structural evaluation techniques including; X-rays, Spinal Joint Movement Evaluation, Gait and Postural Analysis, Joint Range-of Motion Testing, Strength and Reflex Evaluation, CAT or CT scan and MRI are conducted and adopted to detect and correct various musculoskeletal injuries.  Physical Therapy is mainly directed towards maximizing the motion of spine, curing spinal disc, alleviating muscle spasm and improvising the muscular strength. Following Physical Therapy modalities are used to treat auto-accident injuries:

  • Hands-On Therapy and therapeutic equipments are used for the vestibulo-ocular rehabilitation of the victims.
  • Corrective exercises are used to stretch and strengthen the damaged muscles.
  • Range-of Motion exercises are prescribed to improvise function and mobility
  • Spinal Decompression therapy is employed to relieve back pain due to herniated disc or Sciatica
  • Therapeutic exercises targeting and strengthening the joints are suggested.

So if you have been a victim of vehicular accident and sustained a musculoskeletal injury and want to get relief without pain-killers and surgical interventions, then Physical Therapy is the most influential treatment available.

Contact Alliance Physical Therapy for the skilled and prompt treatment of auto-accident injuries. Our board certified therapists are specialized in diagnosing, treating and managing auto-accident whiplash injuries and have helped numerous patients to recover successfully from whiplash.

Knobby Knees

Osgood Schlatter Disease

Osgood Schlatter Disease (OSD) or Knobby Knees is a common cause of knee-pain among the teenagers. This pain mostly affects the boys between 13 to 14 years of age and the girls between 11 to 12 years. This problem mostly occurs during the growth spurt.

What do we understand by Osgood Schlatter Disease?

Osgood Schlatter Disease is an overuse injury of the knee resulting in pain and swelling below the knee cap over the shin bone. This disease is marked by the inflammation of the bone cartilage and /or tendon at the top of the shin bone, where the tendon from the knee cap attaches. It commonly affects the teens who are engaged in vigorous sports activities which involve lots of running, jumping and swift direction changes, as in; basket ball, gymnastics, soccer, figure skating, ballet and volley ball.

What are the potential signs and symptoms of Osgood Schlatter Disease?

Osgood Schlatter Disease usually harms one knee at a time but it may affect the both knees. It lasts for months and recurs until the child stops growing. Following signs and symptoms may be observed in the teens with OSD:

  • Pain below the knee cap
  • Severe pain during and after the activity
  • A tiny and soft bony bump under the knee cap
  • The swelled area becomes tender to pressure
  • Limping after the physical activity
  • Pain Easing with Rest
  • Tightness in the muscles surrounding the knee.

What are the factors leading to the Osgood Schlatter Disease?

At times, Osgood Schlatter Disease develops for no apparent reason. But the below mentioned factors may lead to the condition:

  • Repeated small injuries to knee before the growth spurt is over
  • Overuse of thigh muscles resulting in swelling
  • Repeated strain on the attachment of the patellar ligament
  • Formation of callus (healing bone) resulting into hard bony bump

What are the treatment options suggested to heal Osgood Schlatter Disease?

Osgood Schlatter Disease usually heals itself after the child’s bones stop growing. Till then, a customized physical therapy treatment program targeted at relieving pain and swelling are practiced, following techniques are employed to treat the symptoms:

  • Activity modification and in more severe cases, activity elimination is advised
  • R.I.C.E. Therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) is suggested to relieve pain
  • Stretching exercises; concentrated on the stretching of thigh muscles, are recommended
  • Strengthening exercises may be advised to stabilize the knee joint
  • To shield the sensitive area, the physical therapists may recommend to wear knee pads during the sport
  • Bracing, strapping and wrapping of knee area may be recommended for support

Contact Alliance Physical Therapy

Contact Alliance Physical Therapy to proficiently manage and relieve any type of musculoskeletal pain. Our diversified team of trained and certified therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for you while taking due care of your needs and urgencies and will help you to regain health and proper functioning.

Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Becker Muscular Dystrophy Treatment

What do we mean by Becker Muscular Dystrophy?

Muscular Dystrophy belongs to that group of genetic degenerative disorders which involve progressive weakness and wasting of voluntary muscles of the body. This condition is named after the German doctor Peter Emil Becker who first described the disorder.

Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) is among those common nine kinds of dystrophies; which are characterized by the slow weakness and wasting of skeletal muscles that are used for movement and heart muscles as well. Such dystrophies are common among the men than women. Being a genetic disorder; your family history of disease increases your risk of getting affected.

Despite of being more common in men than women; males usually inherit it from their mothers, i.e. females are the carriers of this disease but they usually do not exhibit any symptoms.

How is the Becker Muscular Dystrophy an inherited disease?

When a particular flawed gene or mutation of a particular gene on the X-chromosome makes its associated protein (named as dystrophin) partially functional, this results in the Becker Muscular Dystrophy. That is the reason that Becker Muscular Disease is also known as ‘X-linked recessive genetic defect’ i.e. it is inherited due to a defective gene on the X-chromosome.

Males manifest the symptoms of this disease because they have only one X- chromosome. While the females have two X- chromosomes, so they usually do not show any signs or symptoms as the healthier X- chromosome compensate for the defective one.

What are the signs and symptoms of Becker Muscular Disease?

The symptoms usually begin to appear during the childhood and are diagnosed by the age of 11 years. But the severity of the disease varies from person to person. The symptoms may include:

• Gradual but progressive muscle weakness
• Muscles cramps on exercising
• Inability to walk independently by the age of 16
• Loss of walking by the age of 40 -60 and at times, 20-30
• Severe upper extremity and trunk muscle weakness
• Toe-Walking and frequent falls
• Difficulty in breathing and Heart disease; particularly, Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• Skeletal and Muscular Deformities
• Fatigue
• Difficulty in getting up from the floor and Climbing stairs
• Loss of balance, co-ordination and muscle mass

What are the treatment options suggested to treat Becker Muscular Dystrophy?

The treatment is generally focused at treating the symptoms and enhancing the patient’s quality of life. Treatment options suggested are generally supportive and include the following:
• Physical therapy is suggested to encourage the activity as the inactivity (like bed rest) can further worsen the condition. Muscle strengthening exercises are suggested to maintain muscle strength.
• Massage, Compression treatment and night Splints may be advised to treat muscle cramps.
• Use of assistive devices like; knee, leg or back braces are suggested to keep the muscles flexible.
• Occupational Therapy is advised; where patients are helped and taught to use orthopedic appliances like; wheel chairs and other assistive devices as well to improve movement and training for doing the daily tasks in new ways is also provided.

Contact Alliance Physical Therapy for the adequate and enhanced treatment of any of your neuromuscular disorder. Our certified therapists develop customized treatment plans according to your needs and preferences and utilize patient proven treatment techniques to heighten the quality of your life.

Skier’s Thumb: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

What do we mean by Skier’s Thumb?

Skier’s Thumb is described as an injury caused to Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) of thumb joint. The twisting and tearing away of UCL results this condition. Any injury to UCL weakens thumb’s gripping strength and as well causes loss of function. In other words, it unstables or loosens the thumb joint.

As this injury recurrently happens during skiing accidents, therefore it is referred to as Skier’s Thumb. But it does not imply that this injury occurs to skiers’ only. It can affect anybody who falls on an outstretched hand with sufficient force applied to thumb that extends it away from the index finger.

Skier's Thumb Treatment & Management

What are the causes of Skier’s Thumb?

Following conditions can be cited as the common causes of Skier’s Thumb:

  • A straight away or direct injury to your thumb
  • Extending away of thumb from the palm of your hand
  • Falling on your open hand with tucked in thumb
  • Repetitive and gradual traumas to your thumb
  • Slipping on the ski-slopes while holding or hands strapped to ski pole

What are the signs and symptoms of Skier’s Thumb?

  • Pain, tenderness and swelling at the inner base of your thumb
  • Bruising
  • Difficulty in holding objects and moving your thumb
  • Difficulty in applying force using your thumb
  • Ability to pinch and grasp things with thumb and index finger gets impaired
  • Difficulty in throwing objects
  • Unstable Thumb
  • A lump in your thumb
  • Deformed thumb

What are the treatment options available for Skier’s Thumb?

The treatment for Skier’s Thumb depends upon the extent of injury, patient’s condition and his specific needs and requirements. Following treatment options are followed to treat Skier’s Thumb:

  • To ease pain and swelling, ice pack may be placed on your thumb for 2 or 3 days after injury
  • To immobilize or reduce the movement of thumb, support devices like; splint, brace or thumb cast may be used.

The splints or thumb casts are worn for 4 to 6 weeks and thereafter, a physical therapy regime is followed and adopted to mobilize the thumb again. It includes:

  • Ultra sound therapy; where sound waves are used to treat injury to soft tissues.
  • Massage Therapy is administered to repair the affected ligament.
  • Mobilization exercises are performed to restore thumb functioning and movement.
  • Physical Therapists make use of Hand Therapy balls and Therapeutic Putty to restore thumb strength and dexterity.
  • Strengthening exercises are performed to strengthen the otherwise loosened thumb.

Contact Alliance Physical Therapy for efficient treatment of any of your musculoskeletal problems. Our patients’ well being and care are our top most priorities. Our brigade of exuberant, determined and acknowledged physical therapists strives to provide finest clinical treatments to our patients in friendly and caring environment.

Identifying and Treating Cluster Headaches

What are Cluster Headaches?

Cluster Headaches are one-sided headaches which occur in cyclic patterns or clusters and are marked by the tearing of the eyes and stuffy nose. It is amongst the most agonizing and traumatic types of pain. Such headaches occur at the same time every year and is much more painful if it strikes you at night as compared to the day time. Episodes of pain occur constantly for one week to one year.

Who normally get affected by Cluster Headaches?

Men are at higher risk of getting affected by Cluster Headaches than women. These headaches can strike at any age but are more likely to occur at adolescent or middle age. These are commonly inherent and are transmitted through genes.

What triggers Cluster Headaches?

The exact causes of Cluster Headaches are still not known to the physicians, but  the following are considered as the potential causes of Cluster Headaches:

  • Sudden release of Histamine or Serotonin
  • In taking alcohol or Smoking cigarettes
  • Bright Lights
  • Exertion
  • Heat
  • Nitrites rich food
  • Cocaine
  • Stress and Anxiety
  • Season(common in spring or autumn)

What are the symptoms associated with Cluster Headaches?

These headaches arise frequently and without any warning signals but the pain most commonly attacks 2 or 3 hrs. after you fall asleep. Following can be enlisted as the signs and symptoms of Cluster Headaches:

  • Excessive or throbbing pain; commonly concentrated around or in one eye
  • One sided pain; from neck to temples
  • Uneasiness
  • Excessive Tearing
  • Redness in the affected side eye
  • One sided runny nose
  • Sweating
  • Swelling around the affected side eye
  • Drooping eyelids

What are the treatments available for Cluster Headaches?

Physicians adopt two types of techniques to treat Cluster Headaches viz.

  • Abortive Medications: These medications are prescribed to treat pain when it strikes. Imitrex or some other triptans are prescribed to subside pain when it occurs. At times, oxygen therapy is also administered, where you have to inhale oxygen through face mask.
  • Preventive Medications :  These medicines are prescribed by your doctor to minimize the time duration of cluster headaches and to reduce the severity of pain during cluster headaches.

How Physical Therapists can help to treat Cluster Headaches?

Physical Therapists can assist you in getting rid of  your Cluster Headaches beyond medications. Practicing exercises under the surveillance of an expert and trained Physical Therapist can enable you to relax muscle tension and as well to relieve stress. Physical Therapists prescribe following exercises to treat Cluster Headaches :

  •    Physical Therapists administer various relaxation techniques to help you to relax the muscles of your neck, jaw and shoulders. Progressive Relaxation techniques  are also administered and practiced to relax each and every muscle of your body.
  •    Cluster Headaches occur due to stress. Your breathing patterns get disturbed, when you are stressed. So to alter these disrupted breathing patterns, Physical Therapists practice different breathing exercises and make you relieved. These exercises are really advantageous when you are suffering from pain.
  •    Exercises that help to alleviate stress are followed. These help to reduce the occurrence ands severity of headaches. These also heighten the level of beta- endorphins which are your natural  stress relievers.

Contact Alliance Physical Therapy for the efficient management of any type of pain. Timely diagnosis and treatment can save you from further pain and suffering and as well help you to lead a healthy and quality life.