Health & Wellness

Ask the Orthopedist

Not Very Handy

Carpal Tunnel and Arthritis Pain

By Scott M. Zimmer, MD

QUESTION

Is the pain in my hand and wrist carpal tunnel or arthritis?

ANSWER

Carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis of the hand and wrist are two of the most common complaints I see as a hand and upper extremity surgeon. There are some common overlapping symptoms — such as pain and aching with gripping — but the two conditions are vastly different.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is increased pressure on the nerve that gives sensation to most of the hand except your small finger. Think of the nerve (median nerve) as an electrical wire carrying impulses that can be affected by external compression (such as crimping a wire). Symptoms include numbness, aching pain in the fingers and up the forearm, and pain that commonly wakes you up at night.

Arthritis, better known as osteoarthritis, is simply the loss of cartilage between the two bones that make up a joint (a joint is where motion occurs). Our joints rely on this layer of cartilage to create fluid motion and absorb shock stresses. As the cartilage wears out, increased friction triggers pain, swelling and decreased motion. It is exactly like brake pads wearing out on a car.

Differentiating these two conditions is obtained by getting a symptom history, an examination and X-rays. Numbness, tingling and night pain are hallmarks of carpal tunnel. Arthritis usually can be localized to the base of the thumb where it attaches to the wrist or in the small joints of the fingers. Deformity and swelling of the joints occurs late in the arthritis process and may not be seen early on.

Treatment Options

Treatment of both conditions starts with making the correct diagnosis, followed with specialized supportive bracing.

Fitness

Rejuvenate Yourself

Get an Energy and Productivity Jumpstart

By Jeff Tomaszewski

Four hundred and thirty-eight million: That is the number of vacation days Americans failed to take last year, more than any other industrialized nation, according to Harris Interactive Research Group.

Here’s the result: America ranks first in both depression and mental health issues.

Americans are burned out. Our productivity and creativity are dropping, relationships are failing and our rising stress is leading to record levels of heart disease, stomach ulcers and depression.

All Work, No Play

We’re judged by how much we work. We’re afraid of being replaced or left behind, and we’re addicted to busyness. It’s not only destroying our mental and physical health but also our creative productivity.

This is especially true in our global economy, where our future lies with our ability to think creatively, innovatively and productively.

Rest and recovery are vital to looking and feeling your best. Unfortunately, it’s viewed as a weakness rather than as an integral aspect of growth and sustained performance.

We become flatliners mentally, emotionally and physically by endlessly spending sufficient energy without recovery. We slowly wear down and become ineffective.

Taking a break might be difficult for some of us. Consider these tips:

Reframe it: Instead of calling it time off and thinking we are slackers, reframe it as “rejuvenation time.” This sounds more purposeful and meaningful, doesn’t it? This might be mental manipulation, but we’ll take whatever works.

Schedule it: What gets scheduled gets done. Like any critical appointment, you have to plant your time-off flag on your calendar and defend it. Take a break from email. Put your phone and other electronic devices aside.

Declare it: Don’t feel guilty or try to keep it a secret. Lead by example and show others how to make rejuvenation part of an overall health plan.

Recess for Grown-ups

Up Your Play Game

By Estelle Rodis-Brown

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

As it turns out, this old proverb rings true, far into adulthood. Too much work and not enough playtime can damage your attitude, your social life and — in full circle fashion — even your productivity. So put play to work for you.

Do You Play?

Our society tends to reject play for adults. Play is considered unproductive, petty, even a guilty pleasure. Adulthood forces us to get serious and set aside childish ways. Between personal and professional responsibilities, there’s no time to play anyway — or so we think.

However, play is just as important for adults as it is for kids, and it should not be neglected. Play brings joy and rejuvenation. It’s also vital for problem solving, creativity and relationships.

In that case, what qualifies as play? Kathryn Orantek is the personal training coordinator for health, physical education and recreation programs at Lorain County Community College. She says, “Play is any activity, structured or unstructured, that allows adults to let go of their inhibitions, forget about the outside world and just have fun.”

Considering her background in health and wellness, Orantek “would love to see people spend more time engaging in physical activity while playing, but I suppose you could apply it to games, coloring, puzzles and such.”

No Goal? That’s the Idea

Play is a state of being that’s purposeless, fun and pleasurable, psychiatrist Stuart Brown, M.D., says in his book “Play.”

The focus is more on the experience than on accomplishing a goal. Play can be art, books, movies, music, comedy, flirting and daydreaming, says Brown, who founded the National Institute for Play.

Ultimately, play is a process that stirs up surprise, pleasure, understanding and strength of mind, body and spirit.

Dr. Francoise Adan

Center for Lifelong Health at University Hospitals

From Golden Opportunities – April 2, 2017 (Show #837)

Hudson Community Education and Recreation (HCER) will soon be offering adults ages 50+ a new way to stay fit – even if they have arthritis. Thanks to an instructor training grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HCER will offer the Walk With Ease (WWE) program to the Hudson community. HCER is one of 71 park and recreation agencies to receive the WWE instructor training grant.

HCER’s community education and recreation programs have long been centers of health and wellness in the community. The WWE program, developed by the Arthritis Foundation, is scientifically proven to help reduce pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Studies by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging at the University of North Carolina have shown that participation in Walk With Ease contributes to reduced pain, increased balance and strength, and improved overall health.

“Arthritis affects more than 52 million adults  in the United States — including people who live right here in Hudson,” said Meredith Zaffrann, HCER Director. “This grant from NRPA and the CDC allows us to help the older adults in our community, and adds a new way for Hudson residents to work to achieve a healthy lifestyle.”

The Walk With Ease program will be offered three times per week for six weeks by certified and trained HCER Walk With Ease instructors.  Classes will meet at Barlow Community Center on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 10am, May 15th – June 23rd.  An informational meeting and registration will take place on Monday, April 24th at Barlow Community Center, 41 S. Oviatt Street, Hudson.  Cost for the six week program is just $5.

The Walk with Ease classes are ideally suited for anyone that is interested in preventing or managing arthritis, but also for those looking for a regular, low-impact exercise program in their local community.