The human hand is incredibly complex. For Dr. Andrew Staiger, that complexity is what attracted him, as an orthopedic surgeon, to specialize in matters of the hand.
With 29 major joints, 123 ligaments, 24 muscles, 48 nerves, and 30 arteries, operating on the hand is no small feat. Every case brings a new challenge as you navigate through the intricacies of the human hand’s anatomy. These challenges are ones Dr. Staiger faces head-on. He knows how important it is to have proper function in your hand and no pain because for most of us, it’s how we communicate, touch, work, and so much more. Whether you are experiencing pain from arthritis, carpal tunnel, trigger finger, or another hand issue, Dr. Staiger and the team of Orthopedic Hand Surgeons at St. Cloud Surgical Center are here to help you get back to living your life without pain.
While there are many common issues of the hand, today we’re going to discuss Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a condition that affects 3 to 6% of the adult population. For many years, we believed the cause of carpal tunnel was an overuse of keyboards, pianos, etc. but in recent years, studies have shown there is no known cause for carpal tunnel. It is an idiopathic condition, meaning “of itself”, there is no certain origin, and it arises spontaneously in the general population.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs on its own when a thickening along the tendons occurs. The carpal tunnel is a very finite space, and when this thickening takes place, the nerve is trapped or pinched and starts causing symptoms of numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain. For some patients, it can be managed without surgery by doing the following:
Frequent breaks to rest hands
Avoiding Activities that make symptoms worse
Nerve gliding techniques and hand/wrist stretches which can be taught by a hand therapist
Wrist splinting during aggravating activities and while sleeping to relieve nighttime symptoms of tingling and numbness
Intermittent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, etc.) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may relieve pain in the short term
Use of corticosteroids injected by a physician into the carpal tunnel to relieve pain may provide short-term benefits as well
After trying a combination of these non-surgical methods and seeing little relief, it may be time to consider surgery with a physician like Dr. Staiger at St. Cloud Surgical Center. The Carpal Tunnel Release procedure is the most common among hand surgeons, and with a success rate of 98%, it is also the most successful. The outcomes of this procedure are very good, and the chance of recurrence is around 5%. If recurrence does emerge, it would typically be 10 to 15 years down the road. Carpal Tunnel Release surgery has been shown to be a very safe and effective option to relieve the pain you are experiencing with very low risks.
There is a short amount of rehab and recovery that will take place after your surgery. Dr. Staiger recommends gripping and lifting no more than 5 lbs during the first 6 weeks of healing. The symptoms patients experience before surgery typically resolve very quickly after surgery making this one of the best life-altering procedures available. If you are experiencing these symptoms, we can help!
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Andrew Staiger to talk about your symptoms, click here.
Struggling to get a good night’s sleep with your CPAP? Learn how Inspire might be able to help during an educational community seminar presented by Dr. Ron Hanson on Tuesday, December 6th at 6:00 p.m.
Inspire is the only FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea treatment that works inside your body to treat the root cause of sleep apnea with just the click of a button. No mask, no hose, just sleep.
Learn more at our educational event and get relief with inspire!
Presented by:
Dr. Ron Hanson or St. Cloud Surgical Center and St. Cloud Ear, Nose, & Throat Clinic
As a board-certified podiatrist, Dr. James Renier’s goal is to keep people on their feet and maintain a healthy lifestyle!
With his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in one hand, and a signed contract to work at Abbott Northwestern in the other, Dr. James Renier was well on his way to becoming a highly sought-after Cardiothoracic Surgeon. Yet, after working closely with some of the best cardio docs in the country With his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in one hand, and a signed contract to work at Abbott Northwestern in the other, Dr. James Renier was well on his way to becoming a highly sought-after Cardiothoracic Surgeon. During his training, he was introduced to podiatry and realized he had a passion for helping people maintain a healthy lifestyle and keeping them on their feet. Years later, Dr. Reiner is a board-certified podiatrist at St. Cloud Surgical Center and enjoys the work/life balance the specialty of podiatry allows.
As we learned before, the inner workings of your foot and ankle are very complex. Each foot is comprised of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments that provide support, balance, and mobility. For the mechanism to work correctly, all of these pieces must work seamlessly together; even the slightest disruption to the foot mechanism can cause extreme pain. Perhaps, the most common disruption we see is when the forces of the tendon on the top and bottom of the toe don’t line up, causing a hammertoe.
While the name “hammertoe” can seem alarming, these are quite common and a large part of what
Dr. Renier and the rest of the foot and ankle team at St. Cloud Surgical Center treat nearly daily. According to Dr. Renier, roughly 15 out of 20 patients per day see him for some component of hammertoes and foot deformity. Primarily, the cause for hammertoes has to do with the patient’s biomechanics and is not always avoidable as we age. For example, a low or a high arched foot can be more susceptible to hammertoes because the tendons cause an imbalance that causes their toes to bend in a very uncomfortable way.
If you are struggling with a hammertoe, there is hope for correction. Dr. Renier firmly believes that less is more and assesses every situation on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, he prefers to weigh conservative options before jumping to surgery. These options could include the following:
Orthotics, wider shoe wear modifications
Corn & Calluses Shields, silicone, fabric, etc.
In-office procedures like Flexor Tenotomies
Some Physical Therapies
However, sometimes conservative methods will not alleviate the pain from hammertoes, and surgery is necessary. You may be a strong candidate for surgery if you’re experiencing one or more of the following symptoms that have gone uncorrected following conservative measures:
An abnormal bend in the joints of your toe
Corns or calluses
Bone pain, Metatarsalgia
Tears in the joint capsules due to force
Additional foot deformities are present
If you need surgery for a hammertoe or another foot deformity, you can expect to experience some downtime after surgery. For the first 3 to 5 days post-op, patients are required to be non-weight bearing. Since procedures at St. Cloud Surgical Center are all outpatient, you’ll want to ensure you have someone by your side to help you with your day-to-day routine! After that short time, patients will switch to a medical walking boot for the rest of their recovery. Dr. Renier says most of his patients are back up and running in about 6 weeks.
While the recovery time is not short, the result of straighter toes, walking without pain, and returning to your favorite footwear is undoubtedly a win for patients!
Ahh, yes, you have reached the age of your first colonoscopy, and you’re a little nervous. Don’t worry; you’re in great hands! Our Gastroenterologists are some of the best in business, and our team will do everything possible to make you feel comfortable. First, we’ll prepare you for your procedure and ensure you have all the correct information. So, instead of turning to Google to bust all the myths, turn to the pros at St. Cloud Surgical Center.
MYTH #1 – Colonoscopy Prep Drink Is Gross To Drink
Years ago, maybe, but today’s colonoscopy prep solution can be mixed into your favorite sports drink, clear soda, or juice, so it tastes better! We typically recommend Gatorade ZERO or Powerade ZERO to limit your daily sugar intake.
MYTH #2 – Colonoscopy Prep Takes Forever
Prepping your body for a colonoscopy can be done in less than 24 hours. You will begin your prep the afternoon before your procedure or as otherwise specified by your doctor. For most people, it takes 12 to 16 hours to clear out their bowels. While this may seem like a lifetime at the moment, it’s a relatively short window!
MYTH #3 – It’s Going To Hurt
While the thought doesn’t sound pleasant, you won’t feel a thing! Let’s walk you through it. First, your doctor will give you a sedative to make you more comfortable. Once sedated, a lighted scope is inserted in the rear, and the doctor will complete their investigation. Most patients don’t remember anything!
MYTH #4 – I Don’t Need A Colonoscopy Until I Have Cancer Symptoms
Not just a myth, this is a dangerously false claim! Most pre-cancers are found in people who don’t have pain or symptoms. Symptoms can mean the cancer is more advanced and harder to treat. By getting a colonoscopy, you can reduce your likelihood of Colorectal Cancer by more than 50%!
MYTH #5 – Getting A Colonoscopy Is Humiliating
While thinking or talking about a colonoscopy might be unpleasant, you can expect a private and respectful experience. From pre-procedure to post-op, the care team at St. Cloud Surgical Center will make you as comfortable as possible!
MYTH #6 – I Can’t Afford To Get Screened
On average, you only need a colonoscopy every 10 years starting at the age of 50. Most people only need three colonoscopies in their lifetime. If you are worried about cost, contact your insurance to see what is covered.
While a colonoscopy isn’t a walk in the park, it could save your life. If you are 50 years of age or older, you can schedule your screening colonoscopy at our center without a referral. Learn more about the importance of colonoscopies or schedule a screen request here.
