The wrist and hand are complex structures responsible for some of the most complicated and important movements that people do throughout the day – there are few activities in which the hand and wrist aren’t essential. Therefore, hand and wrist injuries require prompt diagnosis and effective treatment.

The wrist connects the bones of the hand to the forearm. The wrist is a complex of eight small bones. The hand, including the fingers, has 27 bones. The wrist and hand are controlled by a complex set of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and nerves.

Common Injuries

A wide range of conditions can affect the hand and wrist. Since the symptoms can be similar and the cause may not be clear, a doctor will need to examine the hand and order diagnostic imaging to determine the exact cause. Some common hand and wrist injuries include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome – Common among piano players, typists, and other people who perform repetitive motions with the hand, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when swelling compresses the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel.
• Ulnar tunnel syndrome – Ulnar tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve is compressed in the wrist, often due to chronic pressure or trauma. This condition is common among cyclists, due to the wrist pressing against the handlebars, as well as people who use a jackhammer at work.
• Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis refers to degeneration of the joints in the hand, which results in inflammation. One or more joints may be affected.
• Wrist sprains – Wrist sprains usually occur after sticking out the hand to break a fall, which can cause twisting and trauma. Sprains vary in severity from tiny tears in the ligament to a complete severing of the ligament.
• Wrist and hand fractures – One or more of the wrist and hand bones can be broken. This can be a serious threat to the use of the hand.
• Finger fractures – One or more fingers may be fractured. Again, finger fractures are serious.
• Nerve damage – After a trauma or fracture to the hand or wrist, nerve damage may occur. This can make it difficult to control the hand, can cause sensations of pain, or may cause numbness in the hand and fingertips. Depending on the nature of the injury, nerve damage in the hand and wrist may or may not be permanent.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Many injuries can be treated without hand and wrist surgery. For example, wrist sprains respond well to rest, ice, and compression. Conditions like osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome often respond well to bracing, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Hand and Wrist Surgery

On the other hand, some wrist and hand conditions cannot respond to conservative methods, or are so severe that immediate treatment is required. Hand and wrist surgery usually involves opening the hand up so that the doctor can align the bones, repair tears, or perform other procedures.

When to See a Doctor

If a wrist, finger, or hand fracture is suspected, it is important to get medical care immediately. Although the bones of the wrist or hand are small, they are precisely arranged. Prompt treatment can ensure that the fractures heal smoothly and full use of the hand and fingers are preserved. If prompt treatment isn’t received, serious complications can occur.

Immediate treatment should always be sought for severe pain and for being unable to move the hand. Other conditions develop more slowly over time. If mild to moderate pain occurs persistently over a case of several days, weeks, or months, medical care should be sought.

The knee’s medial collateral ligament (MCL) may tear after sudden twisting or trauma to the knee. Older people and people who are very physically active are most likely to get MCL tears. Below, we will take a look at some of the most common MCL tear symptoms, as well as how the condition can be treated.

4 Common Slight MCL Tear Symptoms

MCL symptoms may be more or less intense depending on how severe the tear is. Some of the most common MCL tear symptoms include:

• Knee stiffness
• Knee swelling
• Knee pain, especially while walking or moving
• A feeling that the knee may “give out” if you walk

If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, it is important to stop doing your current physical activity immediately. Severe symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor immediately. If your symptoms are more moderate, you may do at-home care measures such as rest, ice, over-the-counter medication, and elevation before deciding whether or not to contact a doctor.

The symptoms of an MCL tear can be quite similar to the symptoms of other knee problems, like tears to the ACL or MCL or tears to the meniscus. To make a definitive diagnosis, your doctor will perform a physical examination followed by diagnostic tests. Ultrasound, x-ray, and CT scans may all be used to visualize the knee.

MCL Tear Treatment

The treatment for an MCL tear will depend on how severe the tear is, as well as the patient’s situation. Mild tears, which are less common, can often be treated with a few weeks of rest and rehabilitation. On the other hand, moderate to severe tears do not usually have the capacity to heal on their own. For patients who are older and less active, strengthening the muscles that support the knee may be preferable to surgery, but younger and more active patients typically require surgery.

Doctors can perform MCL surgery arthroscopically, by using a small camera to view the inside of the knee. This allows the doctors to operate on the knee while making only small incisions. As a result, the procedure is much less invasive than conventional knee surgery, and the procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting without using general anesthesia.

Because each case is unique, only a doctor can diagnose your MCL tear and work with you to decide which treatment is right given the state of the knee and your complete clinical picture. Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your MCL tear symptoms. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.

Golfer’s elbow is an overuse injury that commonly affects golfers, as well as other people who frequently use the elbow, such as powerlifters. It is important to get treatment for golfer’s elbow in order to prevent the condition from worsening over time. Below, we will take a look at what methods may be used in the treatment of golfer’s elbow.

Understanding Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow usually develops slowly over time, after repeated irritation to or overuse of the elbow. It is a form of tendonitis that affects the inside of the elbow. Patients with golfer’s elbow usually experience pain that gets worse when they move the elbow. A sensation of stiffness in the joint is also common.

Because golfer’s elbow is an overuse injury, avoiding overtraining and stopping when discomfort occurs can help prevent the condition. In addition, these methods are important for preventing further problems in people who have already developed the condition.

Treatment of Golfer’s Elbow

Non-Surgical Treatment

Non-surgical treatments are often effective in the treatment of golfer’s elbow. Some of the most commonly used methods include:

• Rest – Resting the elbow for a few days can give the opportunity for inflammation to go down. If you are experiencing symptoms of golfer’s elbow, you should avoid strenuous use of the elbow for a few days. Your doctor will give you more information about how long you should rest the elbow and when you should start using it again.
• Ice – Icing the elbow can also help relieve inflammation and pain. You can apply ice for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours for several days, or as directed by your doctor.
• NSAIDs – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aleve and Advil help relieve the inflammation associated with golfer’s elbow. NSAIDs are available over-the-counter. Be sure not to take NSAIDs for an extended period of time unless you have been directed to do so by your doctor.
• Steroid injections – For more powerful relief of inflammation, the doctor may inject a small amount of steroid medication into the elbow. This procedure can be performed in the doctor’s office.
• Physical therapy – Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy to restore flexibility and to strengthen the muscles that support the elbow joint.

Surgery

If the patient does not respond to the initial treatment of golfer’s elbow, or if symptoms are severe, then surgery may be necessary. Elbow surgery can usually be performed in a minimally invasive manner, thanks to the use of arthroscopic surgery.

Only a doctor can tell you which treatment of golfer’s elbow is right for you. Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your elbow health. To schedule a consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.

If you have MCL surgery, there will be a period of recovery before you regain maximum use of your knee. Most patients can return to day-to-day activities relatively quickly, but there may be an adjustment period before you can return to more intensive activities. Below, we will look at some basics about the treatment of MCL tears, as well as what you can expect during the recovery period.

About MCL Tears

MCL tears are tears to the knee’s medial collateral ligament, which is one of four ligaments responsible for holding the knee in place and providing stability. The MCL usually tears after sudden twisting or trauma to the knee, as can happen after a fall or other accident.

Sometimes, MCL tears can be treated without surgery, especially if the tear is mild or the patient is older and less physically active. Moderate to severe tears in younger, more active individuals often require surgical treatment. With surgery, many people, including athletes, are able to return to their former level of knee function. However, how much you will be able to recover depends on the specifics of your injury. Your doctor will provide a prognosis based on your unique situation.

How MCL Surgery Works

Most of the time, MCL surgery can be performed arthroscopically. This means that the doctor makes small incisions near the knee, and uses a tiny camera to view the inside of the knee, and small tools to operate on the injury. Arthroscopic surgery is preferable because it minimizes the recovery time and risk of side effects, as well as the costs associated with surgery.

MCL Recovery Timeline

Most patients can expect the following in terms of an MCL recovery timeline:

• You’ll go home the same day of the surgery
• For the first few days, you will not feel up to much. You will take pain medication, ice and elevate your knee, and walk around for a few minutes a day
• Within a week, you will be up to more – most patients can return to a desk job within a week
• Around this time, you will start to have physical therapy sessions to help you regain use of the knee
• Within 6 weeks, you can begin to do more intensive activities
• It may take 6 months or longer until you regain full use of the knee and are able to do high-impact activities

Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about whether or not MCL surgery is right for you. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.

Elbow bursitis is a condition in which the elbow’s bursa, which are small, fluid-filled sacs that help make elbow movement smooth, become irritated and inflamed. Pain, swelling, and limited elbow movement can all develop as a result of elbow bursitis. Elbow bursitis most commonly develops as an overuse injury, and it is very preventable. Below, we will take a look at some of the most common causes of elbow bursitis and how it can be prevented.

About Elbow Bursitis

Elbow bursitis is characterized by thickness and swelling over the back of the elbow, which occur when the bursa become enlarged and inflamed. Most cases cause no pain or only a mild amount of pain, and the movement of the elbow joint is not affected. However, if the condition is associated with arthritis or infection, then pain and other symptoms may occur.

In many cases, the doctor is able to diagnose a simple case of elbow bursitis without using any specific diagnostic tests. Imaging studies and blood tests may be used to rule out conditions like septic arthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or fractures.

If there is no pain associated with the condition, in many cases no treatment is required. The bursitis will also clear on its own. If the amount of fluid is large and unsightly, the doctor may recommend methods such as icing, compression, medication, ultrasound, fluid aspiration, or steroid injection. The best course of treatment depends on the specifics of your case.

3 Causes of Elbow Bursitis

Some of the most common causes of elbow bursitis include:

• Overuse injuries – Repeatedly using the elbow or leaning it against hard surfaces can lead to bursitis. Certain athletes and workers who lean on their elbows repeatedly are prone to this type of bursitis.
• Traumatic injuries – Hitting the back of the elbow during a fall or other type of accident can lead to bursitis. In such cases, it is important to make sure that more serious injuries such as fractures have not occurred.
• Arthritis – Arthritis is a condition in which a joint becomes inflamed. This can lead to bursitis, as well as inflammation of other parts of the joint. Changes to other parts of the joint can lead to pain and limited range of motion in the elbow.

Prevention of Elbow Bursitis

The best way to prevent this condition is to address the causes of elbow bursitis. For example, if you frequently lean on your elbows while working, wearing elbow pads can prevent the friction and rubbing that lead to bursitis. Your doctor can talk to you about which methods would be best for preventing future flare-ups in your case.

If you have symptoms of elbow bursitis, Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.

It is not uncommon for knee problems to require surgical treatment, especially for patients who are younger and more physically active. Many people worry about the cost of knee surgery, but given health insurance and an affordable doctor, treatment is accessible to the majority of patients. Below, we will take a look at where you can find affordable knee surgery in the City of Orange, as well as how insurance coverage and financing can help you cover the cost of treatment.

Insurance Coverage

Knee surgery is only used when it is necessary to treat a medical condition, so your surgery should be covered by your insurance. As such, the primary factor that determines how much you pay out of pocket for knee surgery is your insurance coverage. If you have a high deductible and a high copay, then you may pay a large portion of the cost of surgery out of pocket, while those with a low deductible may pay very little out of pocket.

Although the exact terms of insurance plans vary, the majority of patients do find that their treatment is affordable thanks to insurance coverage. If you are unsure about the terms of your insurance coverage, you should contact your insurance company for more information. Your doctor can also provide you with information about how much treatment is likely to cost in your particular case.

Financing

In cases where your insurance requires you to pay a significant amount of the cost of surgery out of pocket, you may find that surgery is too expensive for you to pay for all at once. In such cases, you may consider using financing to spread the cost of treatment over a longer period of time. Some of the most popular financing options include credit cards, health care credit cards, and patient financing companies. Your preferences and your financial situation should guide which type of financing you choose.

Affordable Knee Surgery in the City of Orange

Dr. Howard Marans, head of OC Orthopedic, strives to offer affordable knee surgery in the City of Orange. Dr. Marans understands the financial burden that medical treatment can represent to patients, which is why he works to keep costs low and pass on savings to patients. At the same time, Dr. Marans offers the highest-quality treatment in the area, combining expertise and affordability in order to provide the best orthopedic care possible.

Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about treatment for your knee condition. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.

Shoulder impingement is a condition in which a tendon or bursa in the shoulder rubs against the shoulder blade, causing discomfort and limiting the shoulder’s range of motion. Sometimes, it is necessary to treat shoulder impingement with surgery. Because surgery is only used when medically necessary, you should be able to get shoulder impingement surgery covered by insurance.

About Shoulder Impingement Surgery

There are two main forms of shoulder impingement surgery. The majority of cases can be treated with minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, if surgery is required at all. During arthroscopic surgery, the doctor makes tiny incisions near the shoulder and inserts small instruments and a camera called an arthroscope, allowing him to operate on the joint. Arthroscopic surgery can usually be performed on an outpatient basis, with no need for general anesthesia.

The other type of shoulder surgery is open shoulder surgery. During this type of surgery, the doctor makes a long incision near the shoulder and opens up the shoulder to directly visualize it. Open surgery is much more invasive, and usually requires a hospital stay, general anesthesia, and a longer recovery period.

Is Shoulder Impingement Surgery Covered by Insurance?

Your doctor will only recommend surgical treatment if no other treatments are likely to be effective for your condition. Therefore, you should be able to get shoulder impingement surgery covered by insurance.

Since your procedure will be covered by insurance, the terms of your insurance coverage will have the biggest impact on what you pay out of pocket. If you have already met your deductible, or have a low deductible, and also have a low copay, your out of pocket costs may be very small. If you have a large deductible or a higher copay, you may be responsible for covering a significant amount of the cost of surgery out of pocket.

Financing Options 

Many patients can cover their portion of the cost of shoulder surgery without much trouble, thanks to insurance coverage. However, if you are responsible for a large portion of the cost out of pocket, you may have difficulty paying the entire cost of surgery at once.

There are several financing options for spreading out the cost of surgery over a longer period of time. There are a number of patient financing companies that offer financing specifically aimed at helping patients cover medical procedures. Health care credit cards are another health care-specific option. You can also choose more general financing options, such as a loan, line of credit, or traditional credit card.

Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your shoulder health. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.

Shoulder instability is a condition in which part of the shoulder moves out of its normal position, potentially leading to shoulder dislocation, as well as symptoms like pain and a feeling that the shoulder is loose. Shoulder instability is often caused by repetitive stress, although other problems can also cause the condition. Getting treatment for your shoulder injury is important for your health, as well as very affordable in most cases. Below, we will take a look at the typical cost of treatment of shoulder instability.

Treatment of Shoulder Instability

Depending on the severity of the condition and how it has responded to previous treatments, a variety of different methods may be used in the treatment of shoulder instability. The most common treatments include:

• Lifestyle changes – Patients are instructed to make changes to their activities and to avoid activities that aggravate symptoms. For example, athletes may need to change how they train by improving their form or adding in cross-training.
• Physical therapy – Physical therapy is used to strengthen the muscles that support the shoulder joint thus improving stability and increasing the amount of activities that the patient can safely perform. A home exercise program will be important in the long run.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Medications like naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen are used to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling associated with shoulder instability.
• Arthroscopic surgery – This type of surgery uses tiny tools and incisions to treat the shoulder instability. Arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive and can be performed in an outpatient setting.
• Open shoulder surgery – In severe cases, the doctor may need to perform traditional open joint surgery in the treatment of shoulder instability. With this type of surgery, the doctor makes a large incision over the shoulder. Open shoulder surgery is more invasive, and usually requires a hospital stay.

Cost of Treatment

The cost of treatment varies depending on which type of treatment is used. If the doctor is able to treat the condition using non-surgical methods like medication and physical therapy, then treatment should be very low-cost. If surgery is required, then the cost of treatment will be higher.

Your insurance should cover the cost of treatment, so check with your insurance company about how your plan covers your anticipated treatments. If you have a high deductible and a high copay, you may need to use financing to spread your out of pocket costs over a long period of time.

Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your shoulder instability. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.

If you have a knee injury that requires surgery, one of the first questions you are likely to have is about how long the recovery will be. The length of your knee surgery recovery will depend on the type of surgery used, the nature of the condition being treated, and your own healing time. Below, we will take a look at what you can expect in terms of recovering from knee surgery.

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Recovery

Arthroscopic knee surgery is a minimally invasive form of surgery that allows patients to get treated for their knee condition without the doctor opening up the knee. It is commonly used for meniscus tears, ligament tears, and other less extensive knee injuries.

Here’s what most patients experience after arthroscopic knee surgery:

• Return home the same day as surgery
• For the first few days, you will walk around for a few minutes, but need to rest a lot and use ice application and pain medication to manage symptoms
• You’ll start physical therapy to help rehabilitate the knee
• Within a week, you will feel up to most of your normal activities, like working at a desk job
• Within 6 weeks, you can return to moderately strenuous activities, like moderate exercise and working a factory job
• It will be several months or longer until you can return to very strenuous activities like athletic training at an elite level.

Open Knee Surgery Recovery

Open knee surgery is a much more invasive form of surgery used to perform major procedures such as knee replacement. The recovery period is much longer and more strenuous than for arthroscopic knee surgery. You can expect to stay in the hospital for at least a day, and your recovery will progress more slowly. Your doctor can provide more information on what to expect in your unique case.

Ways to Minimize Recovery Time

You can take some steps to minimize your knee surgery recovery time, including:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Refrain from smoking
• Eat a healthy diet rich in protein and nutrients
• Touch your incision as little as possible, and only with clean hands
• Participate in physical therapy, both at home and in formal sessions
• Do not push yourself to do more than your doctor has recommended
• Learn about the signs of complications and when to report symptoms to your doctor

While the time for knee surgery recovery can be significant, it is important to remember that the recovery period is a period of progression towards the maximum possible level of use of the knee. Without surgery, such progression would not be possible, and regression would be likely. Therefore, getting treatment for your knee condition as soon as possible is essential to your health and quality of life.

If you have a knee problem, getting treatment sooner rather than later can minimize damage to the knee joint. To schedule a consultation about treatment for your knee condition, please click below and enter your information or call Dr. Howard Marans at (714) 979-8981.

When your wrist is injured, the most important thing is to regain use of the wrist and get relief from your pain. Unfortunately, many patients worry about the cost of getting treatment even as they know that seeing a wrist surgeon is important. The cost of seeing a wrist surgeon should be very manageable with insurance and/or patient financing. In addition, seeing a wrist surgeon as soon as you recognize a problem with your wrist can help ensure that you make as full a recovery as possible.

Wrist Surgery Basics 

Wrist surgery may be needed in cases where the wrist has been damaged and does not have the capacity to heal on its own. For example, complex fractures, ligament tears, and severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome may all require surgery, among other conditions. Although your doctor should try to use non-surgical methods if at all possible, surgery is sometimes required to help patients recover from their wrist condition.

Costs of Wrist Surgery

Wrist surgery should be covered by insurance, but the total costs of seeing a top wrist surgeon can be high, although several factors can make the cost higher or lower. For example, arthroscopic wrist surgery is usually less costly than traditional wrist surgery, and procedures that are more complex are also more expensive to perform. In addition, living in an area with a high cost of living or visiting a doctor who does not attempt to control costs can increase the cost of wrist surgery.

Although the cost of any surgery in modern America is significant, the good news is that the cost of seeing a wrist surgeon should be covered by your insurance, since the procedure is used to treat a medical condition. Thanks to insurance, you will only pay a fraction of the cost of treatment. Your exact out of pocket costs depend on the terms of your insurance plan as well as the nature of the surgery you are receiving.

Financing Options

While the majority of patients are able to handle their out of pocket costs immediately thanks to their health insurance coverage, patients with high deductibles or copays may need help handling their costs. Financing can help you spread the cost of treatment over the course of several months, which can be much more manageable. Patient finance companies and health care credit cards specialize in providing financing to patients in need. You can also turn to more traditional financing options, like loans or lines of credit.

Top Wrist Surgeon

Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your wrist health. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.