Peripheral Nerve Injury and Management Over the last twenty years seeing patients, we’ve seen many different types of pain and injury. Some of the most interesting and challenging patients to work with are those that have nerve dysfunction with problems. Problems can be fairly simple, from a simple laceration of the hand and the small nerves involved in the fingers to severe diabetic complications. These involve severe peripheral neuropathy that affects the feet and sometimes even the legs, arms, face, and hands. A form of nerve injury that we see is due to overuse syndromes. These include repetitive motion, which is done in factory work or in hobbies and crafts, where the same motion is repeated over and over and over throughout the day. This tends to irritate the carpal tunnel and the nine tendons that run through that small, dime size structure, and can cause tendonitis, which irritates the nerve. It can also cause swelling which can squish and compress the nerve. We also see problems from overuse syndromes, on the inside elbow and the outside elbow. These can occuroveruse in the shoulder and chest area, as well as the neck, the brachial plexus, and the nerves which come out of the neck and down into the arm. These overuse problems can actually reduce circulation as well from the brachial artery that supplies the nerves down to the arm. To find out if this is a problem, put your arms in the air for one minute. If you get numbness and tingling in your hands, you may be somebody who has what is known as thoracic outlet where the brachial artery is being compressed deep in the chest or in the neck muscles. Regardless of what type of overuse problem you have in the hands, arms, elbow, shoulders, or neck, we’ve universally found a routine that involves stretching of these structures, reduction of pain, increasing range of motion, and eventually strengthening and stabilization which is the key to reducing pain, keeping pain at bay, and allowing you to function at home or work. The difficulty often becomes that one wishes to continue working, either in the garden, at the office, or in the factory; either for personal satisfaction or to keep bread on the table. While your physician may suggest that you stop doing the activity and find alternative employment or different ways to satisfy yourself, this is easier said than done, particularly in this area where economics may dictate that new employment is difficult to find! When it comes to peripheral neuropathy, nerve problems can be severe. It usually affects the feet first, but can affect the hands as well. It begins as tingling, then numbness, followed by pain or weakness of the feet and hands. The number one cause is diabetes, but it can be caused by kidney or circulation problems as well. Recently, we had three people who had chemotherapy who developed pain, numbness, and very sensitive areas in the feet, legs, and hands. Certain chemotherapy and anti-cancer drugs can also cause peripheral neuropathy. We use stretching to treat these problems as well as Anodyne Monochromatic Infrared Energy (MIRE) to fight peripheral neuropathy. Anodyne MIRE is a single wavelength of infrared light that penetrates deeply, approximately two inches, to increase circulation and decrease pain. This single wavelength allows hemoglobin (red blood cells) to release Nitrous Oxide. This substance allows the smooth muscle to relax in the blood vessels, dramatically increasing the blood flow. This allows the nerves to function better. Our sensation nerve measuring tests show dramatic gains in sensation in the feet. The result in these patients is that they have better balance because they can now feel their feet. It allows them to walk with reduced falling. For someone with diabetes, increased safe walking without falling allows them to be more active. This may help them to control their weight as well as their diabetes. If you or someone you know wants to resolve a problem such as these, give us a call or ask your doctor for a referral to see us. At TriState Hand & Occupational Therapy you can call us at 301-759-4263 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Call today and get your problem handled! Try therapy first with us! Quotes from our Founding Fathers: I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in providence, for the illumination of the ignorant and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth.– John Adams I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means. This is our day of deliverance.- John Adams We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. –Benjamin Franklin There, I guess King George will be able to read that.-John Hancock |
||
|
© Tri State Hand and Occupational Therapy, Inc
|
