Wrist, Hand and Finger Injuries
From acute injuries, to chronic problems such as trigger finger, contractures, or carpal tunnel due to occupational stress, problems with the hands affect the ability to function in daily life. Improper body mechanics and the physical stresses of work or recreational activities can wear on the wrist and hands and contribute to injury. Overuse injuries to the wrist and fingers are also very common.
There is a delicate balance of tendons, ligaments, bones and muscles in the hands, fingers and wrist and when these are disrupted it can lead to numbness, difficulty approximating fingers, opposing the thumb, or making a fist, which most patients do every day without a second thought. Due to the fact that our hands reflexively protect our bodies against outside insult, they often are the first injured in crush injuries in doors or during falls.
Dr. Tabby has worked extensively with patients from varying backgrounds including athletes, musicians and those that depend on the use of their hands for their livelihood. She helps patients get back to their daily routine, no matter what it may be. Her office offers easy to obtain appointments in the case of injury. She encourages all of her patients, but particularly patients who may easily aggravate an injury due to overuse, such as seen with the hands, to make an appointment soon to work on resolving the issue.
Dr. Tabby’s Approach to Care
Physiatrists like Dr. Tabby help to maintain proper body mechanics and treat injuries, such as hand injuries, that may be preventing patients from performing optimally in their daily lives. She will carefully listen to the patient’s complaint and perform a thorough examination of the wrist, hand and fingers. Further tests, such as X-ray, MRI, or EMG/NCV may be ordered, or the results from prior exams reviewed, to determine a diagnosis and develop the most appropriate treatment plan.
Dr. Tabby practices the “art of medicine,” forging strong relationships with her patients built on trust and mutual respect, and pursuing diagnostic work-ups based on methodical, scientific knowledge. Her goal is to help patients restore function to their injured hand so they can resume their daily functions effectively, but she also wants to ensure that all problems are addressed to prevent future injuries. Education and corrective measures or exercises may be implemented as part of the treatment plan to prevent future reoccurrences of similar injuries.
Multidisciplinary Care Model
Once a diagnosis is made, Dr. Tabby will provide a personalized treatment plan. She employs a nonnarcotic treatment method rooted in the judicious use of medications, therefore treatments are likely to center around “hands on” methods such as topical pain relief, trigger point injections, massage, heat or ice application, customized splinting and active participation of the patient to complete recommended therapeutic exercises. Bracing (orthotics) may be employed in combination with any of the above methods to allow for healing and support.
She may coordinate care with other specialists as warranted including orthopedics, physical therapy, or other practitioners. Patients may work with occupational therapists on exercises designed to maintain dexterity in the hands. Dr. Tabby works in a multidisciplinary fashion, coordinating care to restore function in patients’ hands, while still allowing for the appropriate healing time and utilizing treatment methods aimed at preventing future re-injury.