7: Pathologies Of Hands & Joints Flashcards
What is arthritis?
-symptoms include joint pain after rest or activity as a result of change in weather
- What is osteoarthritis?
- symptoms include enlarged knuckles, first at the DIP (distal interphalangeal) joints and then, in more severe cases, at the PIP (proximal interphalangeal) joints.
- the distal phalanges may be deviated laterally (toward the thumb)
- the cartilage of the joint has degenerated causing stiffness and pain
- it may be present in some fingers, all fingers, and may also affect the wrist
- it is more common as people age, and may appear at middle age or in the elderly
What esthetics treatments are beneficial to clients with OA?
—warm hand baths, paraffin wax bath and massage
—precautions: massage around joints carefully with attention to client pain levels.
—do not attempt to straighten or force stiff joints.
- What is Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other inflammatory Diseases?
-RA and other rheumatic diseases are systemic autoimmune diseases
—this means that they do not affect just the joints, but the entire body. Causes are unknown but it is believed that the body produces antibodies against itself
-this disease is more common in women than men, and may occur at any age. There are some types of arthritis that occur in children
-there are flare-ups and remission, and the joints eventually becomes deformed
-during flare-ups, the joints are swollen, red, hot, and very painful
-deformities usually start at the DIP joints which become enlarged and the fingers eventually becomes enlarged and the fingers eventually are deviated toward ulnar aspect (little finger side of the hand)
—precautions:
*during flare-ups, no heat should be applied and no massage should be performed
*hands must be touched with care and attention to pain
*when no inflammation is present, hand bath and paraffin wax may be beneficial, and gentle massage can be performed with attention to pain
*do not attempt to straighten or force stiff joints
- What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
-many people suffer from compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel
-the carpal tunnel is the area of the wrist on the palmar surface
—it is a narrow “tunnel” formed by the carpal bones and the flexor retinaculum
-the median nerve which supplies the palm, thumb, and first two and a half fingers runs through the tunnel
- What other structures pass through the carpal tunnel?
-some of the tendons of the flexor muscles of the hand run through the tunnel
- The carpal tunnel can become narrowed because of:
-genetics
-injury such as broken wrist where the bones do not heal properly
-fluid retention in the hand due to pregnancy or other causes
-over use of the wrist and hand which causes inflammation of the tendons which go through the carpal tunnel
—overuse is usually caused by repetitive motions such as computer use, knitting, writing, or activities frequently performed by service providers such as massage or hair cutting
- What are the symptoms of carpel tunnel?
- pain
- numbness or tingling in the hand and fingers
- the thumb and first two and a half fingers and palm and would be painful or numb in this condition
- What are precautions for carpel tunnel?
- be careful with depth of pressure and heat applications if client is experiencing numbness
- pay attention to pain levels
- What is Dupuytrens Contracture
- this is the contracture of the 4th and 5th fingers
- the fingers are flexed at all joints and it is difficult or impossible for the client to straighten them
- there is usually a hard nodule in the tendon of the flexor muscles
- the condition is not usually painful unless the fingers are forced into extension
- What are precautions for Dupuytren’s contracture?
- paraffin wax bath and gentle massage may be beneficial
- do not attempt to force the fingers past the clients pain tolerance
