What is Gamekeeper’s or Skier’s Thumb? Have you ever hurt your thumb by falling and catching your thumb on the way down or knocking your thumb on the ski pole when crashing into the snow? Maybe you used a tool to loosen a stubborn screw and hurt your thumb while forcefully twisting it? If so, you may have an injury known as Gamekeepers or Skiers thumb. Gamekeeper’s or Skier’s thumb is an injury that happens when your thumb is pushed sideways away from the index finger, tearing the ligaments between the bones in your thumb. Gamekeepers’ thumb can also be caused by an injury that worsens over ti ..read more

Holding a spoon, cutting up an apple or opening a jar can all be difficult tasks for those with Ulnar Deviation. Commonly caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), ulnar deviation is a deformity of the hand, where your fingers bend toward your pinky, while your wrist shifts toward the thumb side of your hand. Sometimes called ulnar drift, ulnar deviation is a progressive deformity that generally occurs over time.  Read on to learn about the symptoms and treatment options for ulnar deviation. Symptoms of Ulnar Deviation Triggered by inflammation of the large knuckles, ulnar deviation causes you ..read more

Dealing with Arthritis Pain Cold weather helps my arthritis. When I eat raisins soaked in gin, I feel better. Slurping a sip of cider vinegar helps with my pain. If you suffer from arthritis, no doubt you’ve heard some of these statements. As with many conditions, searching for successful ways to deal with arthritis through mainstream and alternative methods is very common. If you’re asking yourself- what can help my arthritis, we’ll try to clear up a few of the most popular misconceptions for you – fact or fiction? Check out our entire line of Arthritis Splints and Braces 5 Common Quest ..read more

For over 20 years, the Original Oval-8 Finger Splints have been the preferred choice to hold fingers straight to allow Mallet Finger and Boutonniere Deformities to heal;  limit motion to stop Trigger Finger and Thumb; reduce Hypermobility (EDS) and Swan Neck for improved strength and function and to protect and rest fingers affected by Arthritis or injury.  Here’s a look back on the story of the Oval-8 finger splints and how they came to be. Designed by an Occupational Therapist, based on finger splints she made for her patients, Oval-8’s were introduced in 1999 and patented in 2000 ..read more

Dealing With Carpal Tunnel Pain at Work If you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome you understand first-hand the discomfort and pain it can bring to your work day. That wrist pain and annoying numbness and tingling sensation that can be felt in your thumb, index and middle fingers; that weakness in your hands that makes it difficult to grab your cup of coffee or uncomfortable to type on your keyboard, especially in the mornings. Unfortunately, many of us have jobs that involve daily repetitive motions such as using a computer, driving, sanding or assembly line work which can make the discomfort of Car ..read more

One of the earliest and most visible signs of osteoarthritis (OA) are bony bumps or nodules on the small joints of the fingers.  These “bumpy fingers” are composed of growths that are thought to be the body’s attempt to repair joint damage caused by the wearing down of cartilage. The nodes that form on the top of the joints closest to the fingernail, are called Heberden’s Nodes. The nodes that form on the sides of the middle joints,  are called Bouchard’s Nodes. Symptoms of Bumpy Fingers Heberden’s & Bouchard’s Nodes are more common in women than in men. They usually form on the ..read more

It’s important to understand the causes and symptoms of trigger thumb, as well as the treatment options. Treating trigger thumb earlier, rather than later gives you a better chance for the triggering to be relieved. What is Trigger Thumb Trigger Thumb is inflammation of the tendon(s) that flex or bend your thumb. The tendons act as cords that pull your fingers down into a fist and then relax as you straighten the fingers. Think of the tendon as a line on a fishing rod and the pulleys as the eyelets that keep the line in contact with the rod as it bends and straightens. A knot in the line ..read more

That nagging, achy pain in your elbow….   many of us have experienced it and have been told it may be Golfer’s Elbow? So, exactly- What is Golfer’s Elbow? Golfer’s Elbow is a health condition that can develop even if you have never picked up a golf club. The muscles of your forearm and hand attach to tendons in your elbow area that can become irritated or torn and cause pain around the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. It can be caused by any activity that requires repeated twisting or flexion (bending downwards) of the wrist.  Generally, it is caused by overuse of the ..read more

When you think about arthritis, commonly you think about your knees, hips or even your fingers. You might be surprised to learn though that arthritis of the thumb is more common than you think. As it turns out, the thumb is the most common place for arthritis to occur in the hands. The ability to use our thumbs is due in part to a small joint at the base called the carpometacarpal or CMC joint. Unfortunately, this joint is prone to one of the most common types of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA), or as it is commonly known, “wear and tear” arthritis.  Read on to learn about the causes, symp ..read more

Unless you have been diagnosed with Scleroderma, or know someone who has, you may have never heard of this condition. Bob Saget, America’s TV Dad Danny Tanner, passed away on Jan 9 but you might not know that he was a Scleroderma Research Foundation board member.  His sister, Gay, had Scleroderma and Bob Saget was committed to ‘finding a cure’ so that no one else would go through what his sister did. Although Scleroderma means “hard skin”, hardening of the skin is just the most visible symptom of this incurable autoimmune disease.   So what is Scleroderma and what are the sympto ..read more