Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition of one or both hands often manifesting as pain, numbness and/or tingling of the fingers, loss of tactile grip, and sometimes weakness or aching. There are many causes of CTS, but nearly all relate to an increased pressure and decreased blood supply to the nerve, thereby reducing its conductive potential.  A physical exam and often Nerve Conduction Studies are used to evaluate for and assess the severity of the disease respectively. Treatment usually incorporates bracing, NSAIDs, and steroid injections for early disease, but many people will progress to the point of needing surgery which can provide long lasting relief.

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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome also known as ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is the second most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome in the human body. Symptoms include numbness and tingling in the ring and small fingers, pain in the forearm, and/or weakness in the hand. As with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, there are some minimally-invasive ways of treating early Cubital Tunnel Syndrome such as bracing or steroid injections, as well as surgical options to release the irritated nerve in more advanced cases.

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Trigger finger (stenosing flexor tenosynovitis) is an abnormal condition in which pain is elicited in the distal palm over a tight spot in the tendon sheath.  Over time this can progress to clicking and in severe cases, even locking where the finger will need to be manually extended back into its proper position. This condition can become extremely painful and debilitating. Steroid injections can quickly offer symptomatic relief but commonly recur. Surgical release of part of the tightened tendon sheath most often leads to complete resolution.

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Dupuytrens Disease (DD) refers to a hereditary condition in which the palmar tissues abnormally thicken and contract. Over time, this can cause one or more of the digits to bend in toward the palm. This can become painful and severely limit the functionality of the hand. There are different surgical options to treat this disease including needle aponeurotomy (breaking up the diseased tissue bands), injections to soften and partially dissolve the bands, or surgical excision with a partial fasciectomy.

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A Ganglion Cyst is benign growth commonly found on or near the tendons or joints of the wrists or hands. They are hollow sacs filled with fluid that normally helps keep the joints and/or tendons healthy.  Occasionally pain or numbness can be associated with a ganglion cyst causing it to limit activity, or cause anxiety.  Several treatment options are available with the most common being surgical excision.

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