What You Need to Know About Raynaud’s Disease
Raynaud’s Disease; ever heard of it? It may not be one of the most popular hand conditions but it is certainly an uncomfortable one! In this blog we will be outlining Raynaud’s Syndrome, its symptoms and the potential treatment options available. We will share expert advice and insight from one of our hand and wrist […]
Meet Dr. Wurtzel
Dr. Caroline Wurtzel is the newest hand and upper extremity surgeon at Michigan Surgery Specialists, opening our Chelsea location in early June of this year. Dr. Wurtzel comes to us with years of experience practicing in the Chelsea area and brings a breath of fresh air to the practice as (currently) our only female physician […]
Tell Signs of Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel is one of the most well-known hand conditions, with millions of American’s suffering from the disorder every year. There are many articles out there about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and the surgery associated with it (including some of our own) but this blog will provide a deep dive into what Carpal Tunnel really feels […]
How Working at a Desk is Affecting Your Hand and Orthopedic Health
It’s been one year since COVID-19 struck Michigan and our lives have still not gone back to normal. From every day outings like grocery shopping, dining experiences and vacation plans, to more serious topics like our children’s education and our own careers, we have all been affected in some way by this global pandemic. Many […]
Meet Dr. Colen!
Dr. Alex Colen is the newest hand surgeon at Michigan Surgery Specialists. Between residency and his fellowship training, Dr. Colen spent six months training with our physicians as an apprentice and first assist in surgery. Now that his hand and upper extremity fellowship is complete, Dr. Colen is excited to be back home and to […]
Our Most Common Hand Conditions
While most people are familiar with some of the common ailments we see in clinic (like Carpal Tunnel), other conditions that we treat are not as well known to the general population. In this blog, we are breaking down the top hand and upper extremity conditions we treat at MSS to help make you more […]
Avoiding Injury While Returning to the Gym
After spending some time away from regular exercise (due to COVID, extended vacation, illness or any other reason), your muscles begin to weaken and your body will fatigue faster from cardio exercises. Because of this breakdown, your body (typically) cannot tolerate the same level of exercise you were previously performing at. Many people are so […]
The Forgotten Pregnancy Side Effect- Carpal Tunnel!
Did You Know? It’s no secret that pregnancy can come with a laundry list of side effects that we have all come to expect: sleeplessness, swelling, weight gain, back pain etc. However, one of the conditions that most people are not expecting is hand pain! While Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is widely known as a […]
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Treatment & Surgery
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a condition also known as radial styloid tenosynovitis and it affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. If non-surgical methods don’t work to alleviate pain and tenderness in your wrist, De Quervain’s surgery is the next step. In this post, we’ll go more in-depth about what De Quervain’s […]
10 Questions To Ask Your Surgeon
1. Are you board certified? Most physicians (and all of ours at Michigan Surgery Specialists) are either board certified or if they are a newer physician, board eligible. Initially, physicians have to pass their medical board exams in their specialty and sub-specialty within 5 years of completing residency/fellowship. The physicians within this 5 year period […]
What You Should Know about Steroid Injections in the Finger
It may sound impossible to get an injection in a limb as small as your finger, but steroid injections into fingers is a common treatment for several conditions. Before we delve too deeply into why you might receive them, let’s first look at steroid injections in a general manner, i.e., what they are, how they […]
Winter Is Here…A Look at Skiing and Snowboard Injuries, How to Avoid Them, and How to Heal
Skiing and snowboarding are wildly popular wintertime activities, and yet it does not bode well when you read of organizations like the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons who review and report on injuries sustained during these activities. For example, in 2018, that group said: “Both sports are responsible for a substantial number of musculoskeletal injuries […]
The Surprising Effects of Smoking on the Hands
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand provides a report on the links between smoking and hand conditions, and it is quite shocking. This is because it indicates the following: “Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes and e-cigarettes have all been shown to negatively influence healing and worsen medical conditions in many parts of the body.” […]
What to Expect with an Elbow Fracture
Elbow fractures happen quite frequently, and they can be extremely painful. They’re especially common in children. In fact, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 10% of the fractures kids get are elbow fractures. There are a few different kinds of fractures involving the elbow. We’re going to look at what these are, what […]
Tennis Elbow (And How to Treat It)
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is the most common injury of patients seeking medical attention for elbow pain. It is a painful condition involving inflammation of the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. The forearm muscles and tendons become damaged from overuse — repeating the same motions over and over […]
Cubital Tunnel Surgery
Cubital tunnel syndrome is one of the common conditions that we treat at Michigan Surgery Specialists. This painful chronic condition makes it difficult to work and enjoy your favorite activities. In this post, we’ll discuss what cubital tunnel syndrome is, and the treatment options you have. What is cubital tunnel syndrome? Are there non-surgical treatments […]
Scaphoid fracture surgery: what you need to know
Stretching your hands out to protect yourself is instinctive. But when your hands take the brunt of a fall, they can be injured. If you have been feeling pain after breaking a fall with your hands, you may have a scaphoid fracture. In this post we’ll let you know what a scaphoid fracture is, and […]
5 Common Causes of Carpal Tunnel (That Aren’t Typing)
When you hear “carpal tunnel,” the first thing that pops into your head is likely a keyboard. The link is so common, we use it as a joke. “If you keep working any longer you’re going to end up with carpal tunnel.” What if we told you that an auto mechanic could end up with […]
Softball Pitching Injuries (And How to Prevent Them)
Can softball pitchers suffer from the same types of injuries common to baseball pitchers? Yes, they can. And many players and parents may not know it. There is a general belief that softball players have far less risk for injury. The softball pitching motion, it is said, is more natural for the arm. Less stress […]
Trigger Finger Surgery
Has your finger ever gotten locked in a bent position? You may be suffering from trigger finger. It’s one of the most common conditions that we treat at Michigan Surgery Specialists. Trigger finger is a condition in which a finger becomes stuck in a bent position, then snaps like the trigger of a gun being […]