Syndromes in Plano

Although it might seem that carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition born from long hours spent working on a computer keyboard, carpal tunnel syndrome actually has numerous causes.

Bound by bones and ligaments, the carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway — about as big around as your thumb — located on the palm side of your wrist. This tunnel protects the median nerve that supplies feeling and movement to the palm side of the hand. Pressure placed on the nerve produces numbness, pain, and, eventually, hand weakness that characterizes carpal tunnel syndrome.

A Note from the Doctor: We treat carpal tunnel syndrome like any other muscle/tendon overuse injury. Since most of the compression is coming from the thickened, irritated tendons in the forearm and wrist, we can utilize myotherapy to decrease the irritation and break down the restricted tissue to allow decreased tension in the area of the carpal tunnel. Stretching and rehabilitative exercises are also taught. Decreased pain and tingling are usually seen in the first couple of treatments. Our treatment is a great alternative before surgery should be considered.

ITBS is one of the leading causes of lateral knee pain in runners. The iliotibial band is a superficial thickening of tissue on the outside of the thigh, extending from the outside of the pelvis, over the hip and knee, and inserting just below the knee. The band is crucial to stabilizing the knee during running, moving from behind the femur to the front while walking. The continual rubbing of the band over the lateral femoral epicondyle, combined with the repeated flexion and extension of the knee during running may cause the area to become inflamed.

A Note from the Doctor: Many people with IT band pain start with their family doctors or with an orthopedic evaluation. Physical Therapy (stretching, rehab exercises, electric stimulation, ultrasound, cold laser therapy, etc) and rest from activity are most often prescribed. Some other treatments that can be provided include cortisone injections, prolotherapy (consult a sports medicine MD for these and other options).

IT band pain can be quite painful and can cause runners to be sidelined for several months if no treatment is sought out. Most people that develop ITB Syndrome think that something is wrong w/ the knee b/c of the location of the pain (outside aspect of knee). Myotherapy, along w/ a regimen of stretching and foam rolling exercises, is imperative if the runner wants to continue w/ activity. The time frame for recovery does vary w/ each individual. Some respond within 1-2 treatments while others may take several treatments. Rest from running may also be advised if we are not getting the desired results.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the thoracic outlet — the space between your collarbone (clavicle) and your first rib — become compressed. This can cause pain in your shoulders and neck and numbness in your fingers.

Common causes of thoracic outlet syndrome include physical trauma from a car accident and repetitive injuries from on-the-job or sports-related activities. Even an injury that happened long ago may lead to thoracic outlet syndrome in the present. Sometimes, doctors can’t determine the cause of thoracic outlet syndrome.

A Note from the Doctor: TOS has become a more prevalent diagnosis in the medical community. It can arise from tightness in the muscles of the neck or pectoral region or a cervical rib could be the cause of the problem. If it is determined through our evaluation that the main issue is muscular in nature we will treat TOS with myotherapy, stretching, and rehabilitative exercises with a limited number of visits for a full recovery. If it is determined that the problem is a rib causing the pressure, we will refer for an orthopedic evaluation. Surgical measures are often taken to remove the rib causing the pressure.

De Quervain’s Syndrome/Tenosynovitis (ten-oh-sine-oh-VIE-tis) is a painful inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. If you have tenosynovitis, you’re likely to feel discomfort every time you turn your wrist, grasp anything or make a fist.

Although the cause of tenosynovitis isn’t known, any activity that relies on repetitive hand or wrist movement — such as working in the garden, playing music, knitting, cooking, lifting your baby, or walking your pet — can aggravate the condition.

A Note from the Doctor: Tenosynovitis is a combination of an inflamed tendon and the synovium (a soft tissue that lines the non-cartilaginous surfaces within joints). We will utilize myotherapy, stretching, and rehabilitative exercises to treat all tenosynovitis problems. Our main focus is to break down the restricted areas and create a better blood supply to the area resulting in quicker and more efficient recovery.