HealthMatters 2010
Carpal Tunnel Epidemic
The most common surgery performed by
hand specialists, according to dzwierzyn-
ski, is to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. The
median nerve runs in a very tight space,
controlling muscle motion, sensation and
touch. any swelling in the area presses
Hands-On
on the nerve. numbness and tingling in
the fingers at night is the most common
symptom.
The cause of carpal tunnel syndrome
Experience
may not be what you think – repetitive
use of the hand while typing, for example.
“one of the major risk factors is getting
older,” dzwierzynski says. “it’s a contro-
versial subject, but it’s believed that rep-
What would you do if you couldn’t use your
etition with high force is a risk factor, as
hands? Hand surgeons work to make sure
in vibration from a jackhammer.”
There hasn’t been thorough research
you never have to find out.
documenting that low-force repetitive
By Scott R. WeinBeRgeR
strain, such as typing, causes carpal tun-
nel, he adds: “keyboarding probably
doesn’t cause carpal tunnel, though you
may feel symptoms while doing it. Being
overweight and out of shape can probably
cause it, too.”
initial treatment is a splint to immo-
bilize the wrist worn at night and during
such activities as driving or mowing the
lawn. Work factors may be modified to
reduce strain, and specialized therapists
may provide physical therapy or manipu-
lation. sometimes anti-inflammatory in-
jections work.
surgery involves releasing the ligament
pressing on the nerve. it’s a half-hour
outpatient procedure. ✚
‘Beautiful’ ReSultS
“
W
e take for granted the intricacies of the anatomy
and function of the hand,” says dr. William W. dzwierzynski, a hand
Mary Pudil, 64, of Brookfield had carpal
surgeon and plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the froedtert hospi-
tunnel surgery on both hands last summer.
tal and Medical college of Wisconsin hand center. hand specialists
“I had tingling and numbness that went
back 10 years to a job in a pharmacy –
there, including orthopedic and plastic surgeons, have received additional instruction in
just for a few weeks – working with bubble
their areas of expertise. “it takes a little more education and training to perfect the art,”
wrap,” she recalls. “I stopped that job
notes dzwierzynski. because I could feel tingling coming on. It
hand surgeons treat injuries, congenital conditions and acquired disorders, such as ar- flared up later in my job as a lunch lady at
thritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Because there’s not a lot of extra space or natural cush-
a middle school. I didn’t want to wait till it
ioning in the hands and wrists, nerve fibers are easily irritated, inflamed or compressed.
got any worse.”
as a Level 1 trauma center, froedtert sees more than its share of injuries from lawn
The surgery was performed under local
anesthetic through a 1-inch incision in a
mowers, fireworks, snow blowers, falls, vehicular accidents and industrial machinery. But
palm crease, she reports: “It’s beautiful.
more commonly, the facility treats acquired conditions.
I’m so pleased.
at least a third of women 50 and older have symptomatic arthritis, most often in the
“[Carpal tunnel syndrome] is so com-
fingers and base of the thumb, dzwierzynski says. When more conservative treatment mon, more common than people realize,”
doesn’t work, minimally invasive surgery can take out a bone to relieve pressure and pain
Pudil continues, “but there is something
or replace the entire joint.
that can be done about it.” ✚
34 › Milwaukee Magazine › HealthMatters 2010 › milwaukeemagazine.com
1109_HM_Hand.indd 34 9/21/09 11:15:33 AM
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