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Arm Extensor Muscles - A group of muscles in the forearm that serve to extend the wrist, open hand and fingers.
Arm Flexor Muscles - A group of muscles in the forearm that pass through the carpal tunnel and serve to flex the wrist and provide the power for gripping or the closing of the hand and fingers.
Bursa - objects lining the Joints providing a friction free environment enabling smooth motion in the Joints.
Carpometacarpal Joint (CMC Joint) - The base joint of the thumb; The most common site for arthritis in the hands.
Extension - Straightening of a joint. In the hands, extension opens the Fingers.
Flexion - Bending of a joint. In the hands flexion closes the fingers toward the palm.
Itis - Inflammation
Lateral Epicondyle - projection on the inside of the elbow, an area where inflammation leading to repetitive stress injuries occurs; known as Lateral Epicondylitis or tennis elbow.
Ligament - Bands of dense fibrous tissue connecting one bone to another forming a joint.
Medial Epicondyle - A projection on the inside of the elbow, an area where inflammation leading to repetitive stress injuries occurs known; as medial Epicondylitis or Golfers Elbow.
Metacarpophalangeal Joint (MCP Joint) - The point where the bones of the hands and fingers meet to form the large joint or knuckle.
Synovium - The soft tissue lining the joints providing a friction free environment to minimize joint wear and tear
Tendon - Strong bands of fibrous tissue that connect Muscles to Bones
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) - the result of compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The carpal tunnel has a diameter no more than that of a finger and cannot expand. It is a passageway for the nine flexor tendons, median nerve, arteries, and lymphatic vessels to pass through supplying and enabling movement and circulation to the hands and fingers. Over time symptoms may arise as the size of flexor tendons increase from inflammation, shortening and/or hypertrophy (growth) from repetitive use of the muscles that close the hands.
Dupuytren’s Contracture - A condition involving the palm of the hand and the fingers. Connective cords (palmar fascia) attaching the palms to the fingers begin to thicken and shorten just beneath the palm causing development of contracted cords and nodules in the palm. Shortening and tightening will cause the fingers to begin pulling toward the palm.
Epicondylitis - A painful and potentially disabling condition often affecting the small extensor muscles and tendons controlling movement in the fingers and hands which are not capable of withstanding forces applied during repetitive and demanding activities.
Guyon’s Syndrome - An entrapment of the wrist caused by compression of the Ulnar Nerve where the nerve enters the palm through the Ulnar Tunnel; known as the (canal of Guyon). Also termed Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome; most frequently entrapment of the Ulnar Nerve in Guyon's canal results from the presence of ganglia or from trauma, including accidents, athletic activities and fractures of the hook of the Hamate bone which sits between the 4th and 5th fingers at the wrist.
Osteoarthritis - A progressive disorder of the joints caused by gradual loss of cartilage increasing friction between joints during movement. The CDC estimates about 50 million people are affected by arthritis or chronic joint pain. Research shows that physical activity decreases pain, improves joint function and delays progression. Exercise strengthens muscles around affected joints, increases joint range of motion and flexibility and stimulates Synovial fluid production making regular, appropriate exercise a necessary part of a comprehensive arthritis treatment program.
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI’s) - Cumulative Trauma or excessive use of muscles, tendons or ligaments; a definite precursor to (CTS), Epicondylitis. A RSI will usually begin as a mild awareness and unless treated correctly will escalate to a sharp pain. Nearly half of all computer users have some experienced some degree of repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) at some point.
Short Flexor Tendons - A condition resulting from repetitive gripping and squeezing causing the fingers to curl inward toward the palms shortening finger joint range of motion overtime contributing to joint stiffness, shortened flexor tendons and weak extensor muscles.Sprain - a forceful pull or twisting of the ligaments of a joint resulting in inflammation, swelling and pain, a partial or complete tear from joint.
Strain - a partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon.
Stroke - Interruption of the blood supply to the brain causing brain cells to die. Stroke severity varies greatly. The area of the attack will likely cause damage to one side of the body requiring rehabilitative therapy. Often times the hand on the affected side is curled due to the natural imbalance of strength between the muscles that close the hand and the muscles that open the hand.
Tendonitis - Inflammation of a tendon, most commonly due to overuse.
Tennis Elbow - One of the most common (RSI), Tennis Elbow known as (Lateral Epicondylitis) is the result of inflammation of the tendons and potentially the ligaments of the outer portion of the elbow caused by repeated microscopic tears to muscles not strong enough to handle the repetitive stress placed on them. Nearly 50 percent of all tennis players will suffer from this disorder at some point, yet only 5% of all cases are related to tennis.
Tenosynovitis - Inflammation of the Synovial lining surrounding a tendon.