Courtesy of Orthopedic Center of Florida
With the holidays here, there is no limit to the amount of wrapping presents, chopping herbs, mixing eggnog, or whatever else this busy season entails. After all of the decorating and prepping is over, some people might be feeling a few new aches and pains, especially if they’ve got arthritis.
While there are many forms of arthritis, the primary type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). With osteoarthritis, wear and tear damages the cartilage in the joints and causes friction between the bones rubbing together. This results in painful swelling and inflammation.
The most common hand arthritis is in the thumb. Carpal refers to the wrist bone, and metacarpal is the thumb; where the thumb and the wrist meet is called the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. Unfortunately, painful arthritis and ligament discomfort in the thumb is very common. The CMC joint becomes inflamed and immobile in certain situations causing a great deal of difficulty with daily tasks. The thumb joint inflammation causes joint pain, stiffness, warmth, immobilization, and loss of range of motion.
Conservative Treatment
The standard therapies are anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections, bracing, and the RICE method (rest, compression, ice, and elevation). In some cases, your orthopedic surgeon can give you a brace or compression device to help immobilize your hand. It’s key to continue using your hand as “joints in motion, stay in motion.”
When the conservative approach to treatment fails, which is very common as arthritis progresses, surgery provides an effective permanent treatment for both pain and restoration of function. There are over 50 different procedures performed for this type of arthritis, however, the most commonly preferred method among hand surgeons focuses on removing the arthritic bone (trapeziectomy) and creating a sling to support the thumb. It provides superior power and durability to the hand and offers excellent pain relief as well.
Surgical Treatment
The standard surgical procedure can be done under general or local anesthesia with twilight (a very relaxed state, but not completely under). A small incision is made just at the base of the thumb, which exposes the carpometacarpal joint. A variety of different slings can be created from the tendons which is used to support to the metacarpal bone. The damaged bone, cartilage and synovial fluid are removed.
This procedure allows optimal healing and function of the thumb and hand. The recovery period is a couple months, and you will need to rest your hand, and possibly do some therapy after surgery.
An orthopedic surgeon will evaluate your symptoms and pain level, and from there create an individualized plan for your best treatment options. They will provide you with the best solution for your needs.
Alicia F. Cowan, M.D.
Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Surgery
Fellowship trained specialist in Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Surgery. Dr. Cowan loves her job because she is able to give form and function back to patients. She specializes in comprehensive treatment of hand and arm pain, tailoring treatment to each patient’s special needs. Dr. Cowan has experience in adults and children and is fluent in Spanish.
Alicia Cowan, M.D. began her career at Fordham University in New York City, where she received a Bachelor of Arts. She continued to medical school at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Cowan, known previously as Dr. Worden, completed her surgical internship at the University of California, San Francisco, followed by orthopedic surgery residency at Saint Louis University in Missouri. She pursued additional fellowship training in specialized hand and microvascular at the University of Miami in Florida.
She has a passion for medical mission work and pursued opportunities to volunteer in each phase of her training. Her prior trips include Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Malawi. Dr. Cowan plans to continue her volunteerism in the future on other international surgical hand missions. During her free time, she likes to travel to foreign countries and practice yoga.
She is originally from Connecticut and has traveled the country for her training, but fell in love with Florida and decided to stay. Dr. Cowan is happily practicing in Fort Myers supported by her husband and Bruno, her dog. Dr. Cowan cares for her patients by taking the time to explain diagnoses and treatment plans to obtain the best functional outcomes for her patients.
To schedule your appointment, please call
(239) 482-2663
Orthopedic Center of Florida
239-482-2663 | www.ocfla.net
12670 Creekside Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33919